My mate could pop anytime now - only 27.5 weeks ... what do I write in her card??

[funnypeculiar]

Just discovered my mates water's broke on Christmas Eve ... she has managed to fight off infection so far, but is still only 27.5 weeks ...
A much wanted pregnancy, & she had lots of bleeding/hassles early on ... Am writing a card for her, & not sure how what to write - any thoughts?

no immediate experience, but, imho, it doesn;t really matter what you write. it truly is the thought that counts. she will appreciate knowing that you're thinking of her. just that would do "thinking of you (all)" also if there is anything positive you can do for her then offer - does she already have a lo you could look take off her hands for a few hours? but make a positive offer not just a "if there;'s anything I can do" iyswim.

I had my DS at 29 weeks and nearly two years later, he's doing really well.

Try to make your message upbeat and positive - your friend (and probably all else around her) will be focusing on the negative and tbh some of the 'thinking of you' cards I got made me feel like they were 'in deepest sympathy' cards and writing off my DS before he'd been given a chance. I would write 'I know you're all having a really hard time and wanted to let you know I am always here if you need any sort of help'. 27 weeks is young but the baby's chances these days are really good, if you speak to your friend or her DP, I would really recommend www.bliss.org.uk as a website where they can get support and chat to people who understand.

If the baby does come early, mothercare do a good range of 3lb sized clothes and a good book to get your friend would be 'Your Premature Baby' by Nikki Bradford - amazon have it.

HTH

With love for you and your little one

would that be OK?

technology these days is fab, the abby is ion the best ahnds imaginable.

When sister gave birth early very few people marked it until she got home safely (abby was later 34 weeks but ahd significant uissues with feeding), she ahted that- apparently photo albums were good choices, along with reading material for her (she was also bed bound for ages) and as her DH's camera wasn't digital, films and vouchers for Asda (for the pic development bit). As a family we did all that, and then when she got home we had a cake amde by my MIL ( a fab sugarcraft bod)

vertbaudet used to do the clothes too- and I found that woth my son (small, but not prem) those nightdress style garments wioth the drawstring bottoms were easier.

Thinking of you and your little one sounds good, with maybe a note saying to ring you (or get her partner to) if you can do anything?

My cousin's ds was born at 25 weeks' - you could see his organs he was so tiny. Now he's a strapping 10 yr old, bigger than his big sister, top of his class for reading and with no health issues whatsoever. Technology is even better these days'.

Hope all goes well. xxx

fab, that's great, thanks - and thanks for all the positive stories. Wanted to be really upbeat, as I know the hospital have been very pessimistic ... so good to hear I'm not being over-optimisitic, iykwim.
DS was 4 weeks early (hardly really counts, I know) but I stupidly hadn't thought of Bliss - will send her the link in case she hasn't found that already.
This is her second, so have offered lots of babysitting - as I know how hard it can be getting in & out of skbu with a toddler!

my dd2 was born at 27 weeks in March - certainly not an easy time (11 weeks in SCBU) but she's now nearly 10 months and is doing fab - there seem to be no long term effects from her early arrival. I looked at lots of stats before and after she was born and the outlook for babies of that gestation are really good these days. As for something to say to your friend - just 'thinking of you' is good, it's a really scarey and stressful time. Certainly once the baby is born a congratulations card would be great - our cards fell into 2 camps - those who sent cards as soon as she was born and those who waited a few weeks until it all looked like it would be ok. As far as i was concerned i wanted her birth to be acknowledged as a celebration whtaever the outcome might have been.hth.

Thanks Sallycn, that's really useful. And lovely to hear that your dd2 is a happy healthy girl