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!!

Just found this tread and am praying that you are all ok.

Good morning - how are you today? We are off on holiday this afternoon but I will have Internet access and will check in tomorrow. xxJM

Love the name Cormac fanny. Congratulations!

southsea Just found this thread and wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and your dp.......fingers crossed for you !

fannybaws....congratulations on baby Cormac, what a beautiful name! I love your nickname, it made me laugh out loud....I too am presuming you are Scottish with a nickname like that?!

Thanks cheerful yank and sarahscot, yes I am in Glasgow and am being looked after really well southsea you are quiet today hope all is well x

Hi, just wanted to add my voice to the many wishing you well southsea. Hope all is going well. And congratulations to you fannybaws. Had my last two in Glasgow, are you in the south or with the princess? Hope you and cormax are doing well x

Sorry sorry, iPad keeps correcting things when I really don't want it to. Baby Cormac of course x

29 + 5!

Hello, am still here! I'm overwhelmed with the interest our predicament has sparked. Fannybaws - keep us updated on how things are for you. I didn't really understand what is happening and why your baby might need a transfusion. Is that a regular thing for premie babies? I'm in a single room too and although the privacy is nice I feel I'm missing out on talking to other mums. The nurses tell me what's going on in the ward but can't say too much.

So, last night I went on the monitor from 11pm - 12pm then 4am - 6am when I finally used the intercom to ask if I could come off again. It really is hard work. But no dips today! So things are back to normal again. It might just have been the way I was laying that caused it yesterday. I saw a new doctor today who was very nice and interested in the UK. They are quite keen for me to have these inflatable compression things that go around your legs to stop DVT, as I'm lying down so much but I am very relucatant and have been avoiding it. So the doctor asked a physio to see me and she came up today to talk about leg exercises for about five minutes then left. I wonder how much that would have cost? I have been moving quite a lot because I'm a fidgit so I'm not too worried about it and I hope I can continue to avoid it for the duration. I understand the risks but I don't think I can cope with more physical restriction on top of bed rest and monitoring.

I spoke to some friends earlier on Skype - there were loads of them at my house! They were using it as a base before going off to a birthday party tonight. I don't mind in the least and I'd already said it was ok for one of them to stay there but it looks like there will be a few now - I'm jealous! It's nice to know there are people watching over everything at home and it was really great to see them. And it was strange to hear their point of view - that I'd come here for two weeks and wasn't coming back for months. I think they are more shocked about that aspect than we have been, because we've had to resign ourselves to it very quickly. I still get a bit sad at not being able to wander around showing off my bump for a few more months as was very proud of it and it is a lovely feeling.

I have been really really bored today and contemplating another three or four weeks of this. That iPad beckons... (shush Mrs Doyles). I've got crisps, sweets, chocolates and biscuits coming out my ears thanks to DP and his family. I love it when I come back to the bed and find one of the nurses has left me a couple of packets of Lorna Doones (shortbread) or an orange or newly refilled cups of iced water or juice. It is such a nurturing place to be and I'm really happy our baby will be born here (eventually).

So still lots of mixed feelings and emotions. But I've made it to the end of another day and there's only tomorrow to get through and we'll be 30 weeks! That somehow sounds much further along than 28.

Hope you are all well with your bumps and babies. Our bodies are absolutely amazing aren't they? I had no idea... X

Hi - you sound really upbeat which is fantastic! Glad your little one is staying put. Get the iPad - you may as well, you won't get to play with it much once the wee one arrives.

Take care

I am glad you are doing OK. I understand the boredom, I did 9 weeks of bedrest and it nearly killed me!

Yes, it is common for premmie babies to have blood transfusions. There is some information on the Bliss (premature baby charity) about premmie babies and what to expect here:

www.bliss.org.uk/page.asp?section=854&sectionTitle=On+the+neonatal+unit

Do join the message board on there if you haven't, lots and lots of premmie Mums there who have been in similar situations to you. (there was a Mum who gave birth very early in Tunisia whilst on holiday at one point) It really is a wealth of first hand information and you'll get very good support there once baby is born. Having a baby in NICU or special care is unbelievably hard with many ups and downs emotionally and it's great to have people who understand it.

www.bliss.org.uk/messageboard.asp

It sounds like you're doing great, keep it up!

You need the iPad, or possibly an iPod touch (that is what I am on) so that you can MN in bed in the dark beside your sleeping baby. So, eminently justifiable.

Just read whole thread and am going to fall asleep thinking about you now. All the very best of luck and zenlike patience to you :)

The Ipad/Ipod touch wont go to waste - so much easier to use when you have a baby

30 weeks does sound so much more 'solid' 'sustainable' ' - closer to being 'right/normal' doesn't it :)

Can you get the inflatable thingys and just put them on for a while and take them off when you get uncomfortable with them? I know they are 'another thing' but they are quite important.

How long is DH allowed to visit for/how long does he visit for? ... I'm not suprised you are bored - but it's all for a very good cause!

If I knew you IRL I'd suggest you need an addictive pastime - like MN but when you aren't comfy it's hard to settle to it isn't it.

Do you knit or anything? Are you OK sitting up or are you stuck lying down most of the time?

Rubix cube
DS
A book about a new hobby (you can still pretend you'll have the time for one when baby gets here!!)

Morning southsea.

You definitely need some form iPad or similar so you can play words with friends as it definitely classes itself as an addictive pastime!

Glad you are happy with the hospital at least. Would be awful if you were stuck in a horrible hospital.

Do you have a tv in your room?

Midori1999 - oh my goodness, 9 weeks! That just about tipped the scales, I've placed my order with Amazon and a sparkly new iPad is on the way . Ooh I can't wait now. I think I deserve one.

No news this morning other than I had a really good night's sleep which has made all the difference to my frame of mind. Hope everyone is having a lovely lazy Sunday. I would kill for a roast dinner!

Hi Southseas! Just checking on you. I think you are doing beautifully. Our family loves our iPad. You will be very pleased.

Hi Southsea
I have just finished reading your thread and wanted to let you know I am thinking of you. Glad you had good nights sleep and hope you sleep just as well tonight:)
xxx

Hi there,
Just to let you know thinking of you and glad they seem to be looking after you. You seem to be coping so well and am sure all of the patience will pay off when you see your lovely little one. Take care.

xx

Oooh hello - another Emoo!
Southsea - glad Mrs Doyle got her way in the end! I'm jealous... Just think - a vomit-proof wipe-clean computer! Should come in handy before long..

And well done for sounding so upbeat about things - sounds like you and bubs both are doing well. Look after yourself.

Hi southseas, checking in from our holiday... couldn't wait to have Internet access so I could see how you are. Glad all is well. When you get your iPad, get the Angry Birds app - it's hilarious!!!
30 weeks! Well done you!
Will pop in later. Am 5 hours behind you currently. xxJM

Have been lurking for a few days now and just wanted to add my congratulations and good luck message! Jealous of your iPad now! I probably shouldn't say this, but this thread is better than a soap opera, I can't go to bed without checking it for updates! All the best, and we're thinking of you - even DH keeps asking if 'the lady in America' is alright!

Just popping in to wave hello and see how you are :) Yay for the iPad.. Angry Birds will kill a lot of time and is so easy to put down/pick up.

Yay for 30 weeks - what a milestone! So glad you're continuing to get such wonderful care from the nurses - what a difference it makes.

Hi Southsea, My waters went at 23 weeks and it was just too soon for us and it all went wrong. (Had 3 OK babies since) I am touched by your story and really want to wish you all the best, 30 weeks is fantastic, well done. Angry birds will really help

Getting so close to 30 weeks is so exciting. I'm going to save my congratulations for when you Are well and truly over it. In the meantime, I'll say Horrah for the iPad! You might want to start practicing using it one handed once you've mastered the initial bit...an invaluable night feeding skill!

Looking forward to hearing how you and your dp celebrate 30 weeks!

Hello! I've been meaning to reply to this for aaages!

I'm pleased to see your nearly at 30 weeks. That's a fab gestation.

My kids were both pprom babies. My waters went with my ds at 22 weeks after an emergency stitch procedure. I stayed on bedrest for 5 weeks drinking literally gallons of that flavoured volvic water while bored absolutly ridged and then had an emcs at 27 weeks. Despite some truly grim predicitions about the prognosis as I had no waters left at all he's absolutly 100% perfect now, he was 2 on new years eve

Mumsnet kept me going through that, there's a huge post somewhere about it if you wanted to read it, if you search my name you'll find it.

It sound like your being treated wonderfully!

I echo what midori says, the bliss website is fab :)

Hi Southsea, just checking in to see how you are - my whole family is now asking me for updates on you. I can now tell them you're getting an iPad - they'll be so pleased :)

(and congratulations fannybaws!)