Little premmie babies

[AussieMum28]

Hi all. Early yesterday I went into labour and less than 7 hours later out popped my little baby boy! He was born at 33+5 but is doing super well in the HDU. Just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation and how they are going with it all! X

Congrats on your new little bundle!
No personal experience as a mum but currently working night shift in nicu. I hope all is going well. With a bit of luck you'll have him home in time for santa!

I had my son at 34 weeks. I think labour was maybe 5 hours start to finish. It was an absolute shock. I cried fairly consistently until we got him home & on and off for maybe 3 weeks after that (I'm not usually a crier, hormones + shock I think). He spent a week in NICU/HDU. Was on breathing support for a couple of days. Really difficult establishing breastfeeding- he was about his due date before we really got it, he came home on bottles of EBM. He's now nearly 4 months old & perfect. Doing really well, meeting all developmental milestones he should be. Congrats on your new little baby!

Baby born at 34 weeks - in nicu for two weeks - no long term problems. Weight was low but she is growing at a faster pace than her contemporaries- doesn’t really show in anyway at 6 months. I found it enormously stressful and cried a lot @mylittlepony374 I think that’s not an unusual reaction. Congratulations!!!!

Baby born at 32 weeks, in hospital for a month but very healthy, just small and needed to grow.
He's six now, healthy, happy and bright. You'd never know he was prem.
It's a daunting time I know but your baby boy will be just fine. Try to be patient about getting him home.

Born at exactly 32 weeks and spent 7 weeks in NICU. She's only 14 weeks atm but doing well. It was super emotional, and stressful, and eventually felt a bit like groundhog day but she's out and healthy, and that's all that matters. It takes time but I'm glad your little boy is doing so well

Youngest son born at 33weeks +1day, he spent 15days at NICU. He is two years old now and with the exception of reflux which term babies also get he appears well.

Congratulations on your baby, it is not easy being away from baby but I found it very comforting that multiple healthcare professionals were around him and machine alerting them to the slightest changes. That was not something I could replicate at home. Try talking to the parents of the babies next to your baby. They may be able to lift your mood. If your hospital has a graduation board of the past babies they cared for take some time reading it.

My niece was born 6 weeks early and after 9 days in nicu and a further 4 in hospital was home. She was 3lbs 13 oz and is now 9 is tallest in her class, very bright and always top at school, very athletic and only has dermatitis that flares up occasionally.

Lady i know was a 30 weeker, she weighed 2lb and was born at home and just had a moses basket filled with hot water bottles and blankets. She celebrated her 87th birthday in May. She is an exceptional lady!

Congrats! My DS was born at 31 weeks. Weighed 2lb 4oz and spent 45 days in SCBU. He's 7 now, as tall as most of his classmates, still a skinny bean though, bright as a button, and hasn't had any health issues. It was an emotional rollercoaster back then but everything worked out just fine. Big congratulations to you OP. I hope your little one comes home to you as soon as possible.

I shouldn't worry too much, mine was born at 28+3 weighing jut 1lb 10oz, he didn't grow much inside and took ages to put on weight once born. He was in hospital for 3 months. Very stressful. I'm sure that being moderately premature that your son will make a full recovery and have no lasting issues. What is his weight?

Thank you all for your messages! My little one is doing so great! Makes things easier. Hardest thing I've found is trying to balance cuddle time and leaving him in his incubator for his light time (he has jaundice). I'm so glad all your babies are doing/have done so well xxx

They are stronger than they look OP, I'm sure your son will be fine, mine had jaundice too. It's very common and usually is easily fixed. Good luck to you both

Please let us know how he gets on