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Original poster

drug dependant baby, advice needed

734 replies

EarthMotherImNot · 03/03/2010 15:20

I've been asked to foster a baby expected to be suffering drug withdrawal when it is born next week.

It is years since I've cared for one of these and any advice would be most gratefully received.

OP posts:
Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 07/04/2010 09:57

I can't type with my fingers crossed silly

Actually she is doing well, very very well

She was a bit niggley in the early hours but that could just be her IYKWIM

She has gone for contact this morning and I sent a note telling her mum so I hope she'll be pleased too.

OP posts:
CMOTdibbler · 07/04/2010 09:36

How is she doing off the meds ?

Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 06/04/2010 14:30

Hi CMOT yes, still happier in there but without the shakes now.

OP posts:
CMOTdibbler · 06/04/2010 12:55

Def a positive step - I'm sure it's that when you get to a certain point, she is no longer really dependant on it so theres nothing to be gained by her being on a low dose anymore. Sooner she's off the drugs totally, the better eh ?

Still being snuggled in your dressing gown ?

Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 06/04/2010 11:55

Thank you Snuppeline

I can't believe, after all we've been through with her that the end may, just may, be in sight.

We have enough medication to get us through and I've just had a chat to my HV who said to think of it as a positive step not a scary one.

OP posts:
Snuppeline · 06/04/2010 11:50

Hi EarthMotherImNot, I've been reading your thread but not written anything yet, I just wanted to say today that your amazing and that I'm sure the consultant wouldn't go to the step of stopping the medication without feeling confident about it. Make sure you get another contact though and you can always ask him to let you have some of the medication on standby in case you think the little one needs it - given that he will be away he should agree to that surely. Best of luck!

Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 06/04/2010 11:47

Oh scary stuff now, The consultant asked me to ring him this morning to let him know how she's been doing on the reduced dose over the long weekend.

I told him that, fingers crossed, she seems to be coping well.

"I'm tempted" he says "to stop the medication all together, lets do that and see how she manages, oh, and by the way, I'm on holiday for the next couple of weeks but you've coped so well I'm sure you won't have any problems"

WTF. I'm terrified. He says he'll email me another contact when he gets back to the hospital, just in case.

OP posts:
CMOTdibbler · 04/04/2010 07:51

Aw, great news EMIN - def sounds like you are through the worst of it now.

littledawley · 04/04/2010 07:24

What an amazing couple you are. I will be thinking of LO x

Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 04/04/2010 06:54

Hi Minnerva, thank you

She happily goes an hour sometimes 2 between some lovely wide awake alert times.

I can honestly say in all our years fostering this tiny scrap has brought me the most satisfaction in a "my god we're getting there" sort of way.

Her face is filling out and doesn't have that pinched transparent look now.

DD2 who stayed over last night took a photo on her phone of lo lying on my front with her head nestled under my chin and that windy half smile on her face, bliss

She has now been on the reduced dose nearly 24 hours and, fingers tightly crossed, so far so good!

OP posts:
Minnerva · 03/04/2010 22:33

Many thanks for the update EarthMotherImNot~
wonderful to hear that she is improving slowly every day.
How long is she sleeping for now-are you managing to get several hours in a row?.
I really appreciate you posting regularly~it's not as if you have nothing to do and lots of time to waste.

Love
Minnerva.

Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 03/04/2010 14:27

Quick update:

Baby doing really well

She is weighing in at 6lbs 7oz at 1 month old.

In consultation with her doctor we are now giving meds every other feed, not every feed and he has now asked that from today we reduce the dosage by half.

Her shaking and almost constant screaming are lessening every day thank god!

He says if she becomes distressed we are to up the dose again for a few days but....fingers crossed

OP posts:
Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 31/03/2010 13:32

yes wannaBe, quite a few, but one didn't make it

OP posts:
SparklyGothKat · 31/03/2010 13:12

wow, bet the other babies looked really tiny. There was a baby boy on the ward when DD1 was in SCBU he was at least 8lb, he was so cute, big and cuddly compared to my baby bird

Poledra · 31/03/2010 12:14

On this slight tangent, DD3 was in SCBU for 4 days as she had HDN. She was 8lb 11 oz.......

SparklyGothKat · 31/03/2010 11:55

my sister had a 5lb 3oz baby and 4 days later I had Ds2 early at 33 weeks weighing 4lb 8oz, her DD2 looked huge compared to Ds2, but only half a pound in it.

wannaBe · 31/03/2010 11:52

I guess she might have been huge compared to other babies in scbu who might have been seriously premature for eg?

So there are more children like this LO out there by the same mother?

Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 31/03/2010 11:50

Lol oh I see, not so huge then.

OP posts:
SparklyGothKat · 31/03/2010 11:49

lol, she was prolly only about 5lb but she was huge compared to the 3lbers in the same room

Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 31/03/2010 11:47

I don't know wannaBe, mum is apparently trying to work with them re her addiction.

This is not by any means her only child to be taken into the care system because of her addiction. (trying to be discreet here so don't ask how many please)

A few years ago I would have said no chance of lo going home but I have no idea how ss thinks anymore or where their priorities lie

SGK thats unusual for drug dependent baby, I understood they were usually tiny because the mums didn't eat well/used too many drugs.

OP posts:
chicaguapa · 31/03/2010 11:22

I'm humbled. What a lovely thing you are doing. I'm having an emotional day anyway as it's DC's last day at school before we move, but lo's story has just about finished me off. I will keep my fingers crossed for her (and you & DH)

SparklyGothKat · 31/03/2010 11:21

Its not a cry I will forgot easily. She was huge compared to the other babies, but the nurses struggled to feed her. I often wonder what happened to her, the parents came up twice in the 3 weeks we were there.

wannaBe · 31/03/2010 11:19

what will happen to her em? Will she be put up for adoption?

Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 31/03/2010 11:14

SGK that high pitched cry is unique isn't it.

I think, for me, it's the knowing that there is nothing I can do to help her until her meds kick in or until she's due to have them again. I've honestly never felt so helpless in my entire life

Poledra thank you, good vibes welcomed

OP posts:
Poledra · 31/03/2010 11:00

EarthMother, I've been lurking on this thread, and I just wanted to say how wonderful you and your DH are. I'm not sure I'd be able to do something as generous and selfless. Thank god we have people like you.

I hope the LO continues to improve - good vibes to you all!

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