anyone had a baby at 24 weeks?

[soandsosmum]

My friend had hers this week at 24 weeks. He's breathing well but obviously in itu.

Anyone experienced this and can help me know what its like and how I might, is at all, help her?

I had DS at 27 weeks. He had a rough ride but he's two now and doing well. Breathing well is a great start. It's lovely you want to help your friend.

Do you know if she's staying at home or in the hospital? When I was in the hospital I really appreciated a little goodie bag my sisters made me with a few toiletries and snacks, because I had packed nothing. Maybe you could offer to shop for her if she needs anything, I had to send my mum out for drop cup bras and big pants (had a CS).
If she's at home maybe drop some meals round she can just heat up. Does she have other children? Childcare might be a huge help.

It's exhausting and isolating having a baby in NICU, you could offer to meet her for lunch or a cup of tea and make sure she gets a break.

And definitely definitely congratulate her, send a card etc. DS's cards were really important to me because it made it feel a bit more normal and also that people were thinking of us.
Just some ideas, you will know what will suit your friend. I hope her little boy grows strong and can be home soon.

Also if she doesn't know about it you could tell her about bliss.org.uk which has lots of helpful info on prem babies and a message board full of supportive people.

Thank you Celtic. Good ideas there. I don't live locally but know she's at home at the mo. I'll make sure to send her Congrats card. Sounds weird, but I wasn't sure whether to in case he didn't make it.

Great to hear your Ds is well.

Goodness me that is early, I really hope he is ok and your friends is all right.

I had a baby at 33 weeks and just a couple of things spring to mind, maybe try and order her this book, it's free and just been released, and is really really helpful.

www.tommys.org/page.aspx?pid=602&nccsm=21&__nccspID=991

Then maybe some useful things for her such as magazines as she will probably be spending a lot of time waiting round/ expressing milk etc, and some nice toiletries? She may also need some practical things such as maternity pads, breast pads, nappies for the baby (depending on whether her hospital provides them) these are probably the tiniest you'll be able to buy and are for 2-5 lbs babies

www.mothercare.com/Pampers-Micro-Nappies-24pk/dp/B000IVT0RA?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_13&nodeId=44531031&sr=1-13&qid=1330373051

It may have changed since I had my son but you could only get them from Mothercare, but that was 3 & 1/2 years ago.

Only other thing I can think of is some vests for the baby, it just depends, my son was initally just in a nappy, then in a vest and then finally in a baby gro once he was in a non heated cot. Best places on the high st for prem baby clothes are mothercare and Boots, although I think most sizes start at 3lbs so suspect will be too big initially.

I also really appreciated texts from my friends, just to ask how I was and boring details as to what they were up too, I didn't necessarily respond, but was nice to have normality and links to the outside world.

Helen x

Ah thank you Celtic

I'm not local to her but will defo send my card. sounds weird, but I wasn't sure whether to in case he didn't make it.

Glad to hear your Ds is doing well.

I had my twins at 23+5. There will be lots of ups and downs for your friend in the next few weeks. My babies did very well, but certainly bear the scars from their NICU experience.

TBH your friend will probably only be focussed on the hospital, expressing, eating and sleeping for the next 16 weeks at least. Remind her how tough these babies are, and be a listening ear during the bad times.

No worries, I know that some people didn't send us cards for the same reason, but the cards were important to us (still are) and I think they would still have been precious if we had lost him.
I second the texting too, just knowing someone is thinking of you is nice especially as the weeks go on.

DS was only in hospital for 4 weeks but I can relate to the comment about it being exhausting and isolating! You end up spending so much time at the hospital, nothing gets done at home. And getting up in the night to express is far less motivating than getting up to bf your baby. If you're not local, could you order some groceries for easy meals online? My sister did that for us and it was brilliant! Last thing you feel like you have time or energy to do is shop and cook. Definitely send card/messages - totally helps to know you're supported.

Thank you ladies for your ideas, insight and hope. I'll continue to keep in touch by text and see what else I can help with.

It's hard to even imagine what she's doing and going thru. Makes me v sad