Premature birth...

[Wuxiapian]

... almost.

Last Wednesday evening I had to call delivery ward after a day of pain in back and abdmomen (at 28.3 weeks).

Went to hosp where they discovered changes to cervix and 1cm dilation. I was put on drip to halt contractions and 2 steroid injections 24 hours apart.

The contractions settled (although the backache didn't) and, after 5 days, was discharged and told to return if any further pain or water/blood loss.

I am now 29.3 and terrified about the baby coming at any time.

Has anyone else had this/similar experience with threat of/and early delivery?

Many thanks in advance.

[lotsofcheese]

Hello there, just wanted to say that I had a 29-weeker, it was such a shock & an incredibly worrying time while he was in NICU.

The Bliss website is really good & has a helpful forum, for parents who have a child in NICU. They also have good booklets about communication with your baby, handling etc.

Have you been offered a visit to NICU, as preparation? Or had the chance to speak to a consultant? One came to visit me on the day of my emergency section. Assuming you've had steroids?

If delivery is imminent, you could ask the midwives on the ward about how to start expressing breastmilk, and if you need to buy your own electric pump.

Mothercare do prem baby clothes, but most were too big for my DS to start with.

I asked people not to send presents while DS was in hospital, as I found it too upsetting having a house full of baby stuff with no baby.

Sorry, these are just random thoughts as they come into my mind. Hope some of it helps.

But most importantly, take care of yourself & rest as much as you can. Please don't feel guilty, or that it's in any way your fault that your baby has to come early.

Hoping your baby can stay put as long as possible.

[NoPinkPlease]

Don't panic - it's fantastic that you've had a little warning and got the steroids in. I had a 32 week waters break and a 33 week arrival. My ds is fine. My sister had 29 week twins. They've just gone to uni It will be ok. My consultant said to me, when I was being treated for an incompetent cervix in 2nd pregnancy, that at 30 weeks you're pretty much home and dry. Not so say that having a prem baby is a walk in the park but the long term outlook is all good. Second the BLISS suggestion - also look up 'kangaroo care' and how to breastfeed a premmie. good luck - let us know how it goes and fingers crossed your baby can hang on a little longer...

[mrsbigz]

Hello can't write too much as on phone so forgive me being short. I have 3 boys, and with the 2 younger ones my waters broke at 30wks and the were born at 31+3 and 31+4 respectively. First was a natural delivery (& completely unexpected as my first baby was a wk late!!) second was an emerg csection. Both are absolutely fine now, aged 2.5 and 9months
It's an incredibly stressful and upsetting time, tho I did find it easier second time around as I knew what to expect, knew the staff in the scbu, understood what all the machines meant and why they beeped etc. quite lonely as family weren't allowed to visit. But I did find a great support network amongst the other mums/dads with babies in scbu - and still have those friendships now, they can really understand what your going through.
I really hope that your LO stays put a while longer, and if you have any questions feel free to pm me xxxx

[Wuxiapian]

Thank you all for your replies.

I'm now 30.5 and baby's behaving (for the most part)! I'm still pretty anxious, but trying to carry on as normal and look forward to each new week.

Thank you for the advice and pointers.

[lotsofcheese]

Thanks for the update, that's great news your baby is staying put. Every day counts - and once you get to 32 weeks plus, there is every chance of things going very well. with a very short scbu visit.

Good luck - hope the wee one continues to behave!

[NoPinkPlease]

Thanks for letting us know, fingers crossed for another few weeks... :-)