Waters have broken at 28 weeks - we're in America!

[Southsearocks]

I've come over to the US for a two week holiday to my partner's family. No problems at all in this pregnancy (my first). Then yesterday morning the waters broke! I've been admitted to a local hospital and although me and baby are fine we'll be here for the duration. It's likely to be three months! Baby could come any time between now and full term so we're keeping everything crossed (including my legs of course) it stays in as long as possible. Either way we're not able to fly home for a looong time...

Our baby will be coming back to the UK an American citizen - how about that?

Pray the insurance works out for us!!

Dutchesse thanks for reposting my link as a hyperlink. That was very thoughtful :)

Just wondering whether you can take out separate insurance for pebble before he/she makes an appearance? Either US insurance or travel insurance for them?

Hang on in there, you're doing amazingly well

b* xx

I followed the link PipPipPip and Dutchesse and had a good chuckle. There were bits I could identify with

I have some news! The doctor had a word with us this morning and they want to induce me at 34 weeks. So I asked do we set a date? In my head I was thinking we'd do it that week sometime but I realise this was just my way of avoiding it a bit longer and not wanting to leave the bubble I've become used to. But he said no, we'd start it off that Monday. So 7th Feb it is then!

I felt slightly shocked because it's all going to be happening and I'm a bit scared of the whole procedure and giving birth and everything. Let alone having an actual real live baby at the end of it! Omg

But of course really excited too. Now I do need some help.....

What will we need to buy for Pebble to get him or her home on the plane? I know we'll need a car seat but what about things for feeding and changing? I honestly don't have a clue! We'll have some bits at SIL's but these will need to be returned to their donors before we go. I'm hoping to have breast feeding established by then but will I need bottles as well? I need to think about the first few days at home too and what we'll need there. I could get some things ordered and delivered so it's waiting for us. If anyone can advise me I'd find it hugely helpful

So with that in mind I can start counting down the days now. Eek!!!

Have been following your thread for quite some time now although never commented! Fantastic news and so exiting!!!! You've been so brave with it all!
Regarding what you need to buy, I wouldn't go too mad as I bet you'll have a little time after babies born before you fly home so maybe see how breastfeeding goes first before you buy heaps of bottles but would advise getting a nipple cream as you will defo need it the first week! Get some sanitary pads for yourself and some nursing bras if you haven't already. For baby, nappies, cotton wool and baby grows, and maybe a special going home outfit. But I really wouldn't go mad and you'll have heaps of help by the time you got home, I think if you put your address on here (don't) you'd have everyone of these people including myself round helping and sending you stuff!!! But regards to baby, you don't need anything but warm water and cotton wool and baby grows ( make sure you have a few as they poo for England) but I bet you'll have at least a week before you leave so you'll have plenty of time to order husband for errands! You make me nervous as I'm travelling to the states when I'm 26 weeks as we booked a holiday of a lifetime for our two kids to Florida costing 8 grand before we found out we were preggers including my friend who's coming with me! Very funny story!!! Xxxxx big hugs xxxx

Wow! A due date! Makes it all so real doesn't it. You are doing really well. I've been here from the start and I can't believe how time has passed. As copper said, don't worry too much, there will be time to shop and you'll have a better idea of what you need.

Great news ... a due date, I'm really excited for you Southsea :)

Feb 7 sounds like a marvellous date!! So excited for you!
Don't blame you for being scared of the giving birth bit, though - no matter how small baby is, nothing bigger than a penis has been through down there (well, for most people anyway) and penises don't weight three pounds! (well, most of them anyway)

"weigh" three pounds

I've been following this thread (sparklies, I think I know you..) and I finally have something useful to say!

Lansinoh do baby wipes which you can buy in the US, they are the best wipes I've ever found so buy a lot of those.

I also wanted to say: you've done really well, I can't even imagine how difficult it's been for all of you.

That's really something to look forward to southsea! My dc3 is due on the 9th and dd's birthday is on the 8th so it's a great week for birthdays! Good luck!

Great news SS.

A great thing we had for DD was an all in one outdoor fluffy outdoor suit with ears. We put DD in it for a long haul and she slept all the way. I always forget how cold they make planes. She wore it everywhere for months too.

Hi, we flew to OZ with our 18mthDD and had a 6wk old baby sitting next to us. Request the bulk head seat on the plane and you get the 'skycot' (little plastic bucket thing that folds down in front of your seat they can sleep in) you dont need a carseat on the airplane, but whoever picks you up at the airport would need one. We didnt fly with a carseat, so you may not need one if your SIL can lend you one out there or hire one for your time in the USA. unless they cheaper and compatable out there. I say this as OZ ones had different requirements.

A baby carrier is fantastic with little ones we liked the Bjorn baby carrier, or my sis loved a sling (she too has done the OZ flight with young Baby as she lives there). More practical in an airport if your DH can carry the little one.

For you on the plane take changes of clothes (especially tops) babies have a habit of getting you dirty :o. Lots of nappies, if you can breastfeed do so on take off and landing helps the babies ears.

Good luck with the birth everyone is scared and nervous but you are strong person who can do it and they will take lots of care of you. big hugs

I agree with getting a sling. walks and waits are long on an airport, especially when going intercontinental. and you will only get the pushchair back with the luggage...
take also a spare tshirt for yourself, my ds once puked all over me at the beginning of a flight.
congrats for coming this far and I wish you a perfect birth with a perfect baby in the end.

Wow! Only 10 days to wait.
Did the doctors mention why they have chosen 34 weeks? Forgive me if I am just being nosy. Did they estimate how long baby will be in special care and how long you will be able to stay in the hospital following the birth?
You have done brilliantly and it must be a relief to imagine an induction and being able to meet pebble.

Wishing you well for the next part of your unplanned adventure...

Jacksmama - lo!

Thanks for your fab suggestions! Really helpful and i can visualize us on the plane a bit more now. I'll ask the insurance company to get bulkhead seats (I think I might be a bit optimistic in thinking they will fly us 1st class ).

Coppernoddle, please don't worry! You'll be fine. I've been really unlucky, that's all. The vast majority of pregnant mums fly all over the place with no probes. Just check your insurance really carefully and see what they would cover you for if you had a similar problem, including cover for the baby and getting the baby home. And in your case accommodation for you too.

Yes, we're on the home straight now I can't believe it. Today the doctor said it can take a few days of labour when they induce prem babies, just to warn me. Equally she said it can happen quickly so who knows. If I prepare for a longer labour it could be a pleasant surprise.

The reason for delivering the baby at 34 weeks is because the risk of staying in then outweighs the risk of being out, and this is because of the horrible infection that can happen in cases of PROM. One nurse told me that in their experience they see infections occurring after 34 weeks so it is in the baby's best interest to be out in a sterile environment at a time when s/he's now more able to breath and feed independently. Another nurse said that when the infection happens it is very quick, and you can go from a normal temperature to a fever in a very short space of time and they have to move fast. I think they all feel I've been very lucky to have come so far without it developing (it really helps not to have internal examinations) so I'm really happy with their decision.

It's nearly 11am and I haven't moved today. I've been emailing all morning and lunch will be here soon! I should get up and have a shower. DP has just arrived and declared he is going to have a shave after about a week of growth. We are a pair of skanks. This is what happens when you drop off the radar for a bit but it shall be remedied forthwith! What would Violet Crawley say (Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey)? X

Probs, not probes! Flipping iPad!

You probably know all of this but my absolute essentials for myself in hospital were:
nipple cream
maternity pads
disposable knickers
(so glamourous!)

Baby - hospital / flight:
obviously a good number of changes of clothes (those explosive poos that soak through two layers, can even be 7 or 8 a day!)
a surprising number of nappies
cotton wool & water (too young for wet wipes technically although the occasional ones are fine and I might be tempted on a flight)
if it is snowing there warm clothing and a good number of blankets (newborns get so cold)
some kind of cute snowsuit
a few hats
oh yeah, and muslin cloths are so useful.
scratch mits

I think there will be time to get things like bottles if you need them so I wouldn't worry about that now (and it will be much easier if you don't). LO will sleep / breastfeed for most of the flight so should be fine!

xx

Ooh, the last episode of Downton Abbey is on Sunday night on our American public television channel. I'll probably be in labour then as we can't record it! Not long now southsea!

In the US the recommend using baby wipes on a baby bottom from birth - in the UK they suggest only cotton wool and water. I'd go for the wipes.

I flew long-distance with DD when she was 5mths. The bulkhead seats were already booked on the way over so they upgraded us at check-in so we had the bulkhead seats at the next class up! The bassinet they give you is lovely for LO to sleep in and just keep scooping them out when they cry for feeding. I also just changed nappies on the floor in front of my seat. Half a dozen muslins are vital if baby is pukey.

Also - newborn cries are very weak and only appear deafening to their parents - don't worry about disturbing others - you won't. they also recommend feeding at takeoff and landing to help equalise pressure.

Congratulations!

Fab news Southsea! MIL's birthday is the 5th and my Mom's is the 11th, so it's a great time of year to be born

Nothing useful to add, everyone has much better advice than I could ever give. But just wanted to say I've been thinking about you and Pebble - I'm keeping up every day. Hope it continues to go well.

Eep, not long now!

If I don't laugh about this I am going to cry.

DP went off to play football tonight with his brother and sent me a text a while ago saying "Guess where I am?". Pub, I replied, as that's what he'd been talking about earlier. No, he says, I'm in A&E downstairs....

DP has busted his ankle. We don't know how badly yet as he's waiting for an x-ray. I did say "won't a couple of paracetamol and a packet of frozen peas do?" But apparently not.

And his insurance has run out.

So that's that.

I'm going to sleep.

Oh my God, I've been following your thread and just dipped back to see the good and then not so good news!

Wishing you all, all the luck in the world.

What DingDong said

Shit, that's the last thing you want to worry about southsea. Sorry