Waters gone today at 27+3 - scared for my baby

[StormInaCCup]

Well, it's all gone tits up today. I am 27+3 and after losing a bit of fluid late afternoon I have been admitted to hospital. I have since lost loads more and have been given a steroid injection to mature my baby's lungs as well as antibiotics to stave off potential infection.

I am in a single room, it's almost 3am and my husband went at about 11pm. There are people laughing in the corridor and I can't sleep for worrying about my baby. We had IVF to conceive him and I have previously had cervical cancer so to say that this baby is a 'miracle' and much, much wanted is an understatement.

I am blaming my stupid body for letting me down yet again and all this happened after a fairly heated argument with my Dad which I don't want to go into right now, so am also blaming myself for getting worked up - did I bring this on myself?

I am sorry this is so gloomy and self pitying. I feel very alone right now and hope tomorrow brings some better news.

congrats, well done, sounds like he is doing great as are you. ds was 27 weeks, ventilated, infection etc. He is ten now and doing really well. take care x

Congratulations!! :)

Sorry to hear of the infection worries and the issues with your milk/allergic reaction. I remember finding out the hard way I'd developed a reaction to penicillin - it really is no fun!

Hope your little boy does not have a long SCBU stay and the weeks pass quickly for you.

Congratulations! Really hope all is ok with you both and I wish you lots of luck for the coming days and weeks.

best of luck with everything storm xx

congratulations and best wishes xx

Congratulations on the birth if your little boy!

When I was in a similar situation 4 years ago the staff on th NICU gave me a photo (a printed) one of my little boy that I could take to my room and look at when I try to express. Sounds a bit strange, but it can help to get the right messages to your breasts when you're trying to express.

Also, if you are trying to express, and later establish breastfeeding, try to stay in the hospital as long as you can. This isn't always possible due to hospital policy/ lack of beds, but do ask if that's what you want.

There will be ups and down, but try to stay strong and take care of yourself too. The Bliss messageboards are great.

All the very best

Congratulations Storm.
Hang in there. The best advice is take each day one day at a time.
My little one has just come home from SCBU this week after 5 months in being born 1 lb 4 oz, 27 weeks, after 10 weeks with no water and a load of other probs, so I know exactly what you are going through. Hang in there.

Def check out the bliss info it is very helpful and ask questions constantly, over and over. Staff are always happy to explain, over and over until you are happy.

Milk supply is a funny one that is hard to get advice on and that I also struggled with but managed to sort out eventually. Things that helped me:-
:-) keep a diary of how much and when. (then when you are down you can add it up and realise you are doing better than you thought, (I was on lots of meds and with everything happening I kept forgetting whether I had expressed or not and how much and then geting depressed because I thought I wasnt do it right) it gives a good idea of whether you are producing more or less than unusal for you etc...and it gives you something to organise and feel in control of)
warm fannels on your boobs, or a hot shower before expressing
drink lots of water/juice/etc esp if you ar ein the unit alot as it is hot and you will not realise you are de hydrated.
:-) take a photo, put blanket in the corner of his incubator so it smells like him, and look at that/cuddle that for a while before trying to express. (noone told me it isnt an on off, and that it is much easier if you "get in the mood" first before the pump even goes near you)
[shocked] If your not getting much turn the speed down/pump less not up/more, have a break in the middle and massage your boobs (someone at the hospital should be able to advice you how if you struggle, also good to do beofre you start), pump for a few minutes after the supply stops but dont go for more than 10 - 15 mins total on each side as you will just get very sore, try double pumping (doing both sides at the same time).
It takes a few weeks for the supply to settle and when born prem it can take longer to come through at all but it is well worth persuvering with as when they finally get big enough to learn to breast feed it is so worth it.
Your supply will be different to other people (I was so gutted watching other women bringing in 100ml bottles effortlessly when I had 5ml a go to begin with)so although it is hard not to - dont compare yourself.
Remember that even 1 drop of EBM is a major bonus for your little one and do what you can but if you cant then you cant and dont beat yourself up about it (says the pot to the kettle). Try and be really positive about each drop rather than negative.
If you are really stuck then some of the women I was in SCUBU with where on a drug to lactate more - ask someone!

Take each day as it comes - spend as much time as you can with your special one. It really helped me to read to mine - we read everything from Enid Blyton to how to trian your dragon, pooh bear alsorts! Apparently it can really help calm them, and it makes you feel useful and when you cant think of anything to say it means they can still hear your voice. (stopped me blubbing constantly on numerous occassions)

:-) :-)Also ask about kangeroo care cuddles they are the absolute best!!

Good luck and lots of happy thoughts from me and from my little one currently cuddled up on my knee at home eventually. :-)

Hi Storm
Congratulations on the birth of your little boy X

I had DS1 at 27 weeks nearly 7 years ago and he weighed less than 2lb so your son is a good weight.

I second the Bliss boards for advice - they are great. You've had some great advice on here so I won't repeat any of it but just wanted to reassure you that my DS is almost 7 and absolutely fine in every way. They are very tough cookies these prem babies!!

Will be thinking of you and your little boy.
X

Hi Storm, thinking of you tonight and hoping that you're both doing ok xx

I was just thinking about you Storm. Hoping that you and the baby are doing well. X