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Original poster

I was shown around the local SCBU today, in case...

32 replies

emkana · 10/05/2006 20:19

... my baby needs to spend some time there.

It was so odd, felt like it had nothing to do with me, even though a large part of me knows this might become a reality, another part is just in complete denial.

OP posts:
cupcakes · 10/05/2006 20:23

I haven't posted on your threads before as I felt I hadn't anything useful to add but just wanted to say hello. this must be incredibly difficult for you.

CristinaTheAstonishing · 10/05/2006 20:23

I don't know what to say, Emkana. I hope all will somehow turn out much better than your fears. :(

SoupDragon · 10/05/2006 20:29

I think it's only natural to feel like that. With all the ifs buts and maybes you've had over this, a part of you will hang onto the possibility that there's nothing major wrong.

Waswondering · 10/05/2006 20:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

niceglasses · 10/05/2006 20:31

Yep, been quietly following your threads and admire your courage. Will be thinking of you also and wish you all the best. keep up posted.

CHICagoMUM · 10/05/2006 20:32

How much longer have you got emkana?

tamum · 10/05/2006 20:32

Oh, emkana. What a time you're having.
xxx

Original poster
emkana · 10/05/2006 20:34

My due date is the 7th of June, but I will have yet another scan in 10 days' time to look at the amount of fluid and the size of the head and position of baby and general situation to then make a decision about when to deliver/how to deliver.

OP posts:
CHICagoMUM · 10/05/2006 20:36

You're down Bristol way aren't you?

Original poster
emkana · 10/05/2006 20:38

I live in Gloucester.

OP posts:
CHICagoMUM · 10/05/2006 20:39

Oh thought it was bristol for some reason.

BudaBabe · 10/05/2006 20:40

Thinking of you emkana. You are going through such a lot at the moment.

Will also be watching for news.

Ellbell · 10/05/2006 20:40

Emkana

Hi! I know exactly how you feel. I had the same experience (though in different circumstances - started bleeding heavily at 27 weeks; turned out I had placenta praevia; I stayed in hospital till 36 weeks, when my baby was delivered, but they showed me round SCBU in case she had to be born at 27 weeks or soon after). Just like you, part of me felt 'what am I doing here?'... all these tiny babies were kind of unreal to me. It didn't help that this was my first baby, so I didn't even really know what a full-term baby looked like, let alone a 27-weeker! They kept reassuring me that my baby would be OK, but the machines were really scary to me, and I remember thinking that I should try to understand what they were all doing, but not being able to take it all in. Afterwards, though, I was glad I'd been there, and I did feel that if dd had to go there I'd be less freaked out by it all than I would have been if she'd just been rushed there with no preparation. Unlike you,though, the closer I got to the birth, the 'safer' I felt. I have read many of your threads and I think that you are coping magnificently with the uncertainty. Whatever happens, you'll be a wonderful mum to your baby (it's a ds, isn't it?). I hope that today's visit also reassured you a bit about the quality of care he'll receive from your hospital. I do sort of understand how weird it feels now, but hopefully in the long run it'll make you feel marginally more reassured.

Hang on in there. Not long to go now. Thinking of you.

Original poster
emkana · 10/05/2006 20:41

I went to Bristol several times to see the consultant there, that's probably why.

OP posts:
Original poster
emkana · 10/05/2006 20:43

Ellbell - thank you. Yes I do feel it was good to go and see it. But I did say to the doctor when I left "I hope I'll never see you again." Wink

OP posts:
Ellbell · 10/05/2006 20:43

PS It's my dd's 6th birthday tomorrow. Her due date was 9th June!

Good luck with everything.

PollyLogos · 10/05/2006 20:44

I also, have followed your threads with much admiration for your strength.

It must have been strange looking around SCUBU and wondering if you will be there in the future, but I am sure that if your baby does have to spend some time there the love and care that he/she and your family receive will be exceptional.

Of course a small part of you is hoping that it will all turn out OK. I think all of us on here hope that will be the case.

Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads · 10/05/2006 21:01

emkana- you can't prepare yourself in advance, although if your baby does have to spend time in SCBU you will be pleased then that its vaguely familiar.

Has the postnatal care been sorted? It's good that you've seen Lynne??? Chatty???? can't remember her name, but the expert in the potential condition as it will be easier to contact her now if you have to.

Familiarity is very helpful.

I know its almost impossible but try to put it out of your mind. It's the best way if you don't actually know what you are dealing with.

xxx

2shoes · 10/05/2006 22:00

sorry don't know your situation just wanted to wish you well

eidsvold · 10/05/2006 22:22

I remember when we had our tour - we knew that dd1 would definitely end up there and it did feel very strange checking this place out but it really helped - it was like that was one less thing to worry about - where was SCBU, what was it like etc.

frogs · 10/05/2006 22:33

Emkana, I had just this experience at 35 weeks, so I know how it feels. In my case it was my first pg with dd1, so even a full-term newborn looked a bit freaky to me, and the 24 weekers just took my breath away.

What I didn't realise until mine were in there (and all three of mine were, albeit fairly briefly), is that your own baby always looks like itself, not like the preemies in SCBU. Your baby may well not be as sick as the ones in there. And if you do spend some time there, at least you will be familiar with the layout, and you will be busy getting to know your very own baby. And the staff in SCBUs all seem to be superhumanly lovely.

xx

foundintranslation · 10/05/2006 22:38

em, A (who I told you about) is also an expert on SCBUs (albeit in Germany) - do feel free to get in touch with her whenever.

Too woozy on one (!) small (!) glass of wine to write much more, but you know I'm thinking of you. xxx

[mini-hijack] Hi Ellbell! Happy birthday for tomorrow to your dd! :)

Original poster
emkana · 11/05/2006 10:14

Postnatal care still quite unclear as long as we don't know for certain what exactly the condition is and how serious it is.

Dr. Lyn Chitty is an expert at diagnosing skeletal dysplasias antenatally, but not at treating children with dysplasias.

How can I find out about specialists in treating dysplasias?
Does anybody know?

OP posts:
geekgrrl · 11/05/2006 10:16

emkana, is there a charity for these conditions? They usually have medical advisors, who I suppose would also be considered experts in that field.
Another thing to do would be to look for reasonably recent medical conference on skeletal dysplasia, and see who the speakers were.

geekgrrl · 11/05/2006 10:18

\link{http://www.specialistinfo.com/thget.php?t=t_si&r=dysplasia\Look here} it's the specialistinfo.com site, where the consultants' special interests are listed.