Page 2 | To ask if anyone has been in this situation?!

chillidoritto · 2024-01-07T15:24:36+00:00

DB and pregnant DSIL have been staying with us for the last few days with 10 year old niece. They were due to make the long journey south to go home today but DSIL has gone into labour 10 weeks early! We are all due back at work and school tomorrow! Obviously one of us will have to phone in and stay off to look after my niece! Also, I am imagining the baby when it arrives (still waiting for news!) will have a lengthy stay in hospital. Will they transfer them to a hospital nearer home as obviously DN will need to go back to school etc? They can stay with us for as long as they need to but it will be very cramped as I have 5 children! Obviously praying first of all that DSIL and the baby are fine as it’s very early! Poor DNiece is pretty upset and stressed.

IncognitoUsername · 07/01/2024 19:31

KateyCuckoo · 07/01/2024 19:29

On a practical note, remember to call the school and let them know so they don't chase mum and dad on the phone wondering where your niece is.

Good shout - I work in a school and wouldn’t have thought of this.

SavBlancTonight · 07/01/2024 19:38

I think that you will have to play by ear depending on what happens but assume one of you needs to stay home tomorrow to support dn.

After that, it may well be that your db and db hang out by day then he goes to hospital when there are more people are around to support. It may be that him and her go home. It may be that the hospital can move them. It's just too early to tell. I mean, they might be able to stop Labour but will insist on bed rest or even hospitalisation to monitor.

Good luck!!!! Babies at 30 weeks are often fine, it's just some.scary times for a bit first.

drspouse · 07/01/2024 19:43

Oh my! Do you have primary aged DCs? If so your DN may be able to visit their school for a few weeks - my DN was able to do this when she was with my DM for a few weeks when her own school (not UK) was on holiday.

Noseybookworm · 07/01/2024 20:23

Fifteenth · 07/01/2024 16:16

Not sure why the father can’t look after the kid. Doesn’t have to be you at all.

Presumably because he'll be at the hospital with his wife?

Luddite26 · 07/01/2024 20:50

Does DN have grandparents near home who she can go to or who can pick her up? Or near you to look after her.

loobylou10 · 07/01/2024 20:53

@Fifteenth 'the kid' - really? Wow, what is wrong with you?

Mummapenguin20 · 07/01/2024 20:57

Hope mum and baby are ok x

Original poster

chillidoritto · 07/01/2024 21:10

Thanks everyone - will update in much more detail asap! DSIL has had a lovely baby boy!

OP posts:

lavagal · 07/01/2024 21:16

Congratulations

WhereIsBebèsChambre · 07/01/2024 21:24

Congratulations!! Sending all the family very best!

MenorcaMarguerite · 07/01/2024 21:25

Congratulations!!

Sunflwer · 07/01/2024 21:27

I'd say you can bring the ten year old to your work. One of my high school teachers used to bring her toddler.

Rightsraptor · 07/01/2024 21:33

Well thank goodness they weren't on the motorway.

Congratulations to your family, OP, and I hope all is well with the little one and your DSiL x

Vettrianofan · 07/01/2024 21:37

Fifteenth · 07/01/2024 16:16

Not sure why the father can’t look after the kid. Doesn’t have to be you at all.

Says no one ever who has had a premmie....🙄

MrsMarzetti · 07/01/2024 21:43

Fifteenth · 07/01/2024 16:16

Not sure why the father can’t look after the kid. Doesn’t have to be you at all.

As his wife has gone into labour 10 weeks early i am sure he will want to be at the hospital with her and their premature baby.

TeaGinandFags · 07/01/2024 22:16

This is a family emergency so you should get a few days grace. Once the hospital are better aware of the situation and know timings you could slip your niece into school so she keeps up her attendance (although with her mum in hospital and her little brother on the line she won't be paying any attention).

I'm sure that I speak for all MumsNetters when I wish your DSIL, BD and new nephew all the best. 💐

Original poster

chillidoritto · 07/01/2024 22:40

Thanks everyone!

Quick update!

My new DNephew weighs 3 pounds 6 so would have been a big baby! Early signs are good but he’s obviously on the Neo Natal unit for the foreseeable.

DSIL is doing well all things considered but is understandably very shocked and shaken by the whole ordeal! This was a much wanted second child as they struggled to conceive again, reason unknown. So in response to the only unhelpful comment, my DB will not be leaving his wife alone any time soon.

My DD is my eldest who is 13 then I have 4 boys under 8 so not much any of them can do!

DSIL’s parents are on a cruise right now so have no idea that she has even gone into labour, let alone given birth! Mine are going to travel over from yet another part of the UK tomorrow - not great given that they’re both over 70.

DNiece collapsed in a heap when she heard of her little brother’s arrival, bless her! Hopefully she will be able to see him sometime soon - not sure how it works on the neo natal unit though with visitors, especially children? After all this I think she’s already forgiven him for being a little brother rather than the little sister she ordered!!

OP posts:

MissMelanieH · 08/01/2024 00:17

Lovely update, I'm glad all seems well with the baby boy.
My ds was born at a very similar stage and weight and by then they're not quite as fragile as you'd imagine and outcomes tend to be very positive.

If your niece stays with you for a few weeks I would contact local schools and ask if they can accommodate her temporarily. Either that or they may have some family friends she can go to at home.

But hopefully it won't be too long before they can all get transferred home, this is definitely something that happens.

nocoolnamesleft · 08/01/2024 00:19

chillidoritto · 07/01/2024 22:40

Thanks everyone!

Quick update!

My new DNephew weighs 3 pounds 6 so would have been a big baby! Early signs are good but he’s obviously on the Neo Natal unit for the foreseeable.

DSIL is doing well all things considered but is understandably very shocked and shaken by the whole ordeal! This was a much wanted second child as they struggled to conceive again, reason unknown. So in response to the only unhelpful comment, my DB will not be leaving his wife alone any time soon.

My DD is my eldest who is 13 then I have 4 boys under 8 so not much any of them can do!

DSIL’s parents are on a cruise right now so have no idea that she has even gone into labour, let alone given birth! Mine are going to travel over from yet another part of the UK tomorrow - not great given that they’re both over 70.

DNiece collapsed in a heap when she heard of her little brother’s arrival, bless her! Hopefully she will be able to see him sometime soon - not sure how it works on the neo natal unit though with visitors, especially children? After all this I think she’s already forgiven him for being a little brother rather than the little sister she ordered!!

Except during peak Covid, most neonatal units allow siblings (though no other children) to visit as long as they've not got a cold.

thedementedelf · 08/01/2024 13:56

Ds could visit dd in nicu but he wasn't allowed to hold her.

ManateeFair · 08/01/2024 14:00

chillidoritto · 07/01/2024 22:40

Thanks everyone!

Quick update!

My new DNephew weighs 3 pounds 6 so would have been a big baby! Early signs are good but he’s obviously on the Neo Natal unit for the foreseeable.

DSIL is doing well all things considered but is understandably very shocked and shaken by the whole ordeal! This was a much wanted second child as they struggled to conceive again, reason unknown. So in response to the only unhelpful comment, my DB will not be leaving his wife alone any time soon.

My DD is my eldest who is 13 then I have 4 boys under 8 so not much any of them can do!

DSIL’s parents are on a cruise right now so have no idea that she has even gone into labour, let alone given birth! Mine are going to travel over from yet another part of the UK tomorrow - not great given that they’re both over 70.

DNiece collapsed in a heap when she heard of her little brother’s arrival, bless her! Hopefully she will be able to see him sometime soon - not sure how it works on the neo natal unit though with visitors, especially children? After all this I think she’s already forgiven him for being a little brother rather than the little sister she ordered!!

Huge congratulations to you all and glad all is so far well with your lovely new baby nephew xx

Original poster

chillidoritto · 08/01/2024 18:42

What a day! Mum and baby are doing well - DSIL was able to have more skin to skin contact today and she’s feeling better. The doctors want to monitor the baby until he reaches 32 weeks and only then do they want to think about transferring him to a more local hospital.

My parents have arrived and took care of DNiece today. She is adamant - quite understandably - that she doesn’t want to return home without her family, so we are going to make some enquiries tomorrow. Her school know she’s not going to make it in this week!

DB is over the moon and says the baby is probably better off being in our hospital - it’s not uncommon for babies to be transferred to our neo natal unit from other areas so it has an excellent reputation and better facilities than the one he would have been taken to. As a big fan of a certain football team, DB says he has another reason to be delighted that DNephew was born here - typical bloke!!!

Currently in the waiting for visiting hours to go and see DSIL - hoping we might get a peak at the baby.

OP posts:

PinkflowersWhiteBerries · 08/01/2024 19:20

Many congratulations to all. Hope you get that wee peak 😍

drspouse · 08/01/2024 20:04

What lovely news! Good luck with arrangements and congratulations all round.

0psiedasiy · 08/01/2024 20:25

Really happy to hear mum and baby are ok x