What do I need urgently? Given birth 12 weeks early!

[DebsOctBaby]

All

I've just given birth to a tiny prem and feel completely unprepared obviously! We are looking at around a ten week stay in NICU but I'm sitting here are my c section and realising I haven't got anything for now.

Any advice on what I need to get (or my OH) over next couple of days for me and baby? All I can think is maternity pads as I'm seeing i need those!

Congratulations. I have nothing else constructive to add, but congratulations on your arrival

Congratulations!
I'm not sure but I'd imagine you'd like
A few nice nighties
Clean comfy undies
Flip flops/slippers
A dressing gown
Deodorant
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Hand cream
Moisturizer - face
Lip balm
Face cloths
Towels

That's what I'd like personally. The hospital should have a list of what baby needs.

Would you like to tell us if it's a little boy or girl? And do you have a name chosen? Xx

Congrats ive just had mine 9 weeks early 2 weeks ago yesterday. Very overwhelming, apart from clothes etc for yourself maybe think about blankets etc for the baby once theyre out of the incubator, although the hospital im in have given me lots of prem clothes and blankets, but i preferred for mine to have her own. I had to get a pram/car seat online, some of them take a few weeks but luckily you'll have time. Have you got anything ready like moses basket etc for when shes home? xx

Thanks for the replies! I had a little girl named Leah and am over the moon.

We have contacted our travel system provider so hurry the pre order along and need to buy her a cot which I will get done.

Blankets and prem clothes I will start ordering today for when she is ready. I guess I need to look into a hospital grade pump as well. So much to think about! Xx

There is lots to think about but just focus on getting better and being there for your gorgeous baby! The hospitals are usually so good and give you everything you need. Youll have a long time in there so maybe put off sorting things out for a week or so? ( easier said then done i know ) Ive had lots of help from family and friends, cleaning house making food etc, ask for help if you need it xx All the best xxxxx

Congratulations!!

Talk to the hospital in regards to a pump as they rent them out.

Lavender oil is great. It really helped with my scar. I cleaned it every day with it diluted and bathed in it every night and I healed beautifully.

Have they given you any little muslin squares to put in your bra so that you can leave something that smells of you with Leah? I found them in a plastic wallet I was given in hospital bit never opened or knew they were there until we got home. Xx

Leah - beautiful name!

Congratulations! 😊

You probably don't need a lot as I imagine hospital will provide the basics. So stuff for you (breast pads, maternity pads, giant giant knickers that go over the scar, comfy clothes that won't rub the scar, lansinoh nipple cream, a kindle or good book, hair bobbles, a good flask or something similar, snacks for when the never ending breastfeeding hunger kicks in)

Babies don't need that much in the early days. Muslins always useful, sleepsuits if appropriate, a blanket, pram/car seat for when you leave, possibly a sling (I didn't have a perm baby and mine was huge so I can't give actuall advice but mine was a kari-me which are good and pretty cheap in terms of slings - I guess she may want to be closer to you for longer considering being prem?

Congrats again, welcome to the world little Leah

I took my DIL in some stuff for herself, face and hand wipes, moisturiser, dry shampoo, a small mirror, etc as it is very hot in NICU/SCBU. She was 33 weeks.

I'm seeing her later and will ask what were the best things she had. It's very boring after the drama so I'd say a Kindle if you're a reader and magazines, good food, your own pillow if you're sleeping there as I assume.

Congratulations and I hope that Leah is strong and will thrive.

Congratulations, but what a shock for you.
Are you expressing colostrum yet? Focus on that and get pumping on about day 3 - the hospital pumps are brilliant - no comparison to the ones you have at home. If Leah needs formula as well, don't fret. I found it overwhelming trying to keep up with the amount of milk DS2 needed even at a few days old and realised there was no point trying to compete and that as long as he was getting some of my milk, it was a good thing. When he came home we had no trouble breastfeeding and my supply quickly matched his needs with minimal supplementation. Oats help your milk supply, so drink plenty of water and eat as many flapjacks as you can stomach
Are you staying in hospital for a while? Have you asked for a private side room? Most hospitals waive the cost for mothers of babies in NICU. I found it upsetting enough walking past the open ward and hearing babies crying, let alone being on the ward with them and without my baby.
Ask the nurses if there is a social worker on NICU or SCBU who can support you. They can help you with almost anything - accommodation near the hospital if needed, or just help talking to the nurses and doctors and getting your point across when you're feeling overwhelmed or emotional.
There's a lot of hand washing involved so get some nice hand cream. You also need to provide your own nappies, nappy sacks and cotton wool to keep on the incubator for Leah.
Put a muslin in your bra and leave it with Leah, and then swap it each day so you have something that smells of her as well as her having something that smells of you.
Please take really good care of yourself and keep your strength up.