Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

Original poster

When will I stop worrying about my prem baby?

17 replies

skyward · 08/12/2009 16:02

My baby was born 11 days ago at 36 weeks. She spent a couple of days in the high dependency unit as she didn't poo within 24 hours and had to have a contrast enema done to see what the problem was. She had a slightly small left colon, which will rectify itself within a few months and once she was unblocked she was fine. She also had to have tests to rule out cystic fibrosis which is sometimes linked to small colon and she was fine there too. We've been home for nearly a week and she's gaining weight and doing really well. The MW said we are doing brilliantly as usually 36 weekers are in hospital for at least 2 weeks, but I can't stop obsessing over her and fearing something is wrong. My DH thinks I'm going a bit crackers I think, but I don't think so. I think it's a normal reaction to what's happened and in a couple of weeks I'll be okay. Is this normal???

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

MitchyInge · 08/12/2009 16:04

I'd give it at least 20 years and even then . . .!

MitchyInge · 08/12/2009 16:04

(had a 34 weeker so am not just being flippant)

Arsed · 08/12/2009 16:06

Honestly you never stop worrying but it does get better.

Worrry is part of thr job description

it sounds like your dd is doing really well.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting

MitchyInge · 08/12/2009 16:08

(and congratulations )

Arsed · 08/12/2009 16:08

My were 32 and 27 weeks btw

Bleatblurt · 08/12/2009 16:11

I think I calmed down a bit when my 36 weeker was about 3 months old. He was in hospital for 10 days (RDS and a spontaneous pneumothorax). He was totally fine and healthy when we took him home but it did take until he was more 'solid' and seemed less breakable (and he was 7lb 9.5oz at birth so not exactly small!) before I relaxed. I agree that it's a normal reaction and you are NOT crackers!

tvfriend · 08/12/2009 16:23

You are not mad at all and you'd probably worry almost as much with a full term baby.
My DD was born at 36 weeks and didn't poo for 3 days so had all the same tests as you (although we were on the normal ward). I really wouldn't worry about her being early- 36 weeks is not bad at all and she'll soon catch up. DD was the fattest little thing before too long. DS was born at 34 weeks and is now 11 months old and as strong as an ox! When DD was born especially they weren't at all bothered about her being early (I'm not sure it's true that at 36 weeks they'd usually spend 2 weeks in hospital- mine certainly didn't-I may be wrong though.)
DS was on special care for a day for observations but in fact that made me less worried as I saw how big and healthy he was compared to some of the babies in there.
Good luck, she'll be fine

tvfriend · 08/12/2009 16:24

Butterball- how bid would your DS have been at 40 weeks

Morloth · 08/12/2009 17:28

Well I had a strapping 8.5pound baby and I haven't managed to stop worrying about him yet at 5.5 years.

My oldist sister is 46 this year. Mum still worries...

Kammy · 08/12/2009 17:34

Not crackers at all. I worried about every tiny thing for about 6 months after ds was born at 31 weeks - and I mean every little thing, temperature, feeding, sleeping, any potential bug,how much he poo'd, the list goes on and on.

Just remember you have had a terrific shock - perhaps the birth and aftermath wasn't quite what you imagined it would be, you've had to cope with health worries, never mind normal worries about a new baby. It will settle down for sure.

My ds is 8 now but I have just swapped one set of worries for another....school, friends, growing up, wanting independence. It's your job to worry from here on in .Just don't forget to enjoy all the fun bits in between!

cory · 08/12/2009 18:17

It all depends. My 36 weeker didn't even have to stay in hospital above the normal time (3 or 4 days) and started growing almost immediately. Never seen any sign that it affected him. He just looked premature, but behaved perfectly normally iyswim. I stopped worrying when he turned into a fat chubby baby around 2 months.

Original poster

skyward · 08/12/2009 19:10

Thanks ladies. This is my third baby so you'd think I'd be more rational - but this is my first prem one. My last one was a 9lb 2oz whopper and now I've got this little 5lb 8oz thing and it's all alien to me. She is seeming more 'solid' by the day though so fingers crossed by neurotic tendencies will subside soon.

OP posts:

norfolkBRONZEturkey · 08/12/2009 19:18

I think I stopped when other people couldnt tell any more. I am lucky in that my dd (27wker) caught up well pretty quickly (still behind but not obviously so at 3
My first two were big then to have a tiny one seems even more of a contrast

Doozle · 08/12/2009 19:30

It is totally normal to worry given what's happened. I'd give it some time and if the anxiety doesn't subside further down the line then seek advice.

(I had a 33 weeker and she had various problems which led eventually to me having health anxiety . ie the anxiety didn't go away even when she was later fine).

halfcut · 08/12/2009 19:36

Well my 36 weeker is now 30 years old and I still worry

ilovesprouts · 08/12/2009 19:39

i had a 30 weeker hes now 20 years old !!

h0ney · 08/12/2009 19:43

Echoing all the others - I had a 33 weeker who was in scbu for about 5 weeks. He cam home on a heart monitor for a year. He is now two and a half and i still worry about him every single day. I expect I will for the next 30 yrs at least!

Flip