I had a baby at 26 weeks. AMA

[ParentofPremie]

I gave birth at 26 weeks gestation (just before 3rd trimester starts). He is now just under 6. AMA.

Did you expect to give birth early or did it just happen? How is he now? How are you now? How long did it take to get him home?

At my 20 week scan my cervix was seen to be open, so from then on a very close eye was kept. I had a stitch to close it but it didn't hold so then I was on bedrest in hospital .

He's such a lovely boy. He's got mild disabilities/learning issues which we struggle to navigate but is otherwise fine.

I'm okay now. But I think it took me a long time to process the birth. Also he was only a few months old when the lockdowns started so my experience of motherhood in general has been strange and it's hard to unpick what contributed to what if that makes sense.

He was in NICU and then SCUBU for 10 weeks in total and came home 3 weeks before his due date.

I’m sorry it must’ve been so stressful for you. Does he have any physical health needs related to prematurity? Does he have siblings?

Mild cerebral palsy as he had brain bleeds after birth. We suspect he could have ASD. Developmental delays. But all mild.

No siblings yet, I have only just got the guts to try again!