My son was born at 26 weeks and 6 days after my waters broke at 23 weeks (it was a slow trickle and doctors wanted to keep him in as long as possible as he seemed well and still moving around fine. Just no water to protect him). He was born weighing 1lb 6oz and was in hospital for 5 months and 2 weeks. He finally came home on oxygen and was on that for a further 2 months before I felt it was time he came off. And it was as since he has never had to go back on since and no lasting health problems.
I’m not going to lie, the hospital days were rough. I remember crying non stop literally all day for the first week. Every time I saw him I broke. I loves him so much and I couldn’t understand why this was happening to him. But I was strong. We were strong. There will be so many ups and downs but It does get easier and it’s hard to remember but they are in the best place possible and as small as Saydee may look - she is so resilient and she will be fine.
My son is the tallest in his year and at only 5 his vocabulary is off the scale. He knows EVERYTHING !
I remember the hospital telling me he may be susceptible to colds and flu’s and illnesses as his immune system isn’t 100% as he was born so early. But hand on heart I have to say he so far rarely gets ill. Has never been readmitted to the hospital since coming home. Once Saydee gets home you will see how fast she thrives. Honestly it’s amazing.
Try to look after yourself and keep pumping and stimulating your breasts to keep your supply coming in if you are deciding to breastfeed.
Also use this time to finish buying last bits and pieces you may need before she comes home.
Bring a photo and and if your able to, a small teddy you have slept with so Saydee can get used to your smell - it will also help comfort her when your not possibly not there.
Ask and insist on Kangeroo cuddles and lots of skin to skin bonding.
I found as lovely as the nurses were in the NICU in the hospital we were at, they rarely encouraged kangeroo cuddles. Even when asked there seemed to be an excuse. It’s understandable when the babies are so small and poorly but once Saydee is stabilised, do insist on bonding with your baby.
If you haven’t bought a buggy already, start looking at ones that have a big enough basket at the bottom to carry the oxygen tanks. They aren’t big but they wouldn’t fit under a small buggy. I had the Silver cross Pioneer. It was AMAZING ! Honestly 5*
Also try not to worry and be nervous about venturing out and going for walks with Saydee once she gets home. I remember being apprehensive to be far from home when my son was small. I suppose in case I had an emergency or we ran out of oxygen or something. But it was nerves. Once we did our first venture out it was exilerating and I felt it helped my son thrive aswell. Make use of baby groups aswell. Seems scary at first as I always used to think about the germs but again as long as you keep as clean as you can and keep your gel and anti bad wipes around everything will be fine.
Congrats and feel free to message me if you want to chat or anything.