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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

My friend is in hospital with pre-eclampsia and will deliver soon... what does she need???

25 replies

soapbox · 25/09/2004 23:07

I'd be grateful for some help, its a long time since I had my babies!

She is only 28 weeks with twins, one of which is smaller than the others (so think prayers in one of the first things she will need)!

She has had no time to go shopping and will be in hospital until she delivers - which will probably be sometime in the next couple of weeks. To take the pressure off her wonderful DH I want to put together a birthing bag for her. What will she need for herself and the babies who will almost certainly be in SCBU?

My list so far is:

Maternity pads
Breast pads
Expressing device
Rescue remedy
Preemie hats for babes

Any other ideas?

Do preemies get nappies or will she need them too?

Thanks for any help you can give me

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

joanneg · 25/09/2004 23:12

Is her dh getting her stuff (like nighties, deodrant, hairbrush, toothbrush)? I dont know what they provide for prem babies - but for ds I had some nappies, wipes and nappy bags - perhaps put them in just in case - she will always use them. will have a think and come back if I think of anythng else (it has only been 2 years since I had a baby and I have forgotten already!!)

pixiefish · 25/09/2004 23:13

Disposable knickers from Boots or Mothercare
Will try and think of more but this'll bump the thread

cab · 25/09/2004 23:19

Nighties, big knickers, slippers, the usual bathroom stuff, sterilising and cleaning stuff. maybe muslins, sheets and blankets for the babies?? Some babygrows and vests, wee bowl for sterilised water to clean around the babies' eyes atc, cotton wool, changing bag. (Don't have a clue re premmies but I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for her).
Maybe a book about twins?

SamN · 25/09/2004 23:22

Hi soapbox

In SCBU they give you nappies and whatever clothes are needed anyway. Plus the hospital should also provide breast pumps and bottles, but I expect it will be good for her to have her own breast pump so she can get going even if they haven't sorted one out for her. When my son was in special care there was another one born the same day and we had to keep borrowing the pump off each other!

Get her some really nice toiletries as she'll probably be in hospital for longer than the usual day or so. I had some of those cleansing wipes which were a great help when I didn't feel like doing my whole routine in one of the hospital bathrooms. You might also want to get her a really nice pair of pajamas or 'lounging around' clothes so she doesn't have to get properly dressed but doesn't mind wandering around the corridors in whatever she's sleeping in.

Lots of cartons of fruit juice and nice snacks like cereal bars are useful postnatally as well as possibly during labour. She might find she doesn't like the hospital food or is missing the mealtimes due to being with the babies in special care.

Those are just off the top of my head, as I don't have my old list with me.

Oh, you might want to investigate the phone facilities and get her the appropriate phone card so she can call people when she's not in SCBU.

Hope it all goes well for her.

Sam

Original poster

soapbox · 25/09/2004 23:23

Thank you all

I had completely forgotton about the big knickers!

I also like the idea about a twins book.

As she is in hospital already she has nighty, toiletries etc with her already. Looking more for the giving birth and early days stuff. Its amazing how quickly you forget!

If anyone has had ceasarians, is there anything special she might need (apart from pain relief)!

OP posts:

MTS · 25/09/2004 23:24

For Mum: non-perishable nibbles - nuts, flapjacks, chocolate etc. walkman, mags, light reading to help pass the time.

mothercare do preemie clothes

i would take over the nighties/towels/underwear/sanitary towels etc - her husband probably won't think that they will need to be cheap and comfy(!) - i found ethel austin cotton nighties/knicks fab. spare slippers.flip flops in case the bathrooms are a bit grim....

i wouldn't bother with the expressing device - the hospital should be able to loan her an electric double sided pump whilst she is there

a couple of nice little teddy bears for the baby

disposable camera

will have a further think.

re:nappies - the hospital may well not be keen on wipes for new borns - so probably best to get plenty of cotton wool pads(!)

cab · 25/09/2004 23:26

If she's got other kids a photo of them would be good too. And her address book of course and writing paper etc.

Original poster

soapbox · 25/09/2004 23:26

Sorry SamN - our posts crossed

How long is she likely to be in hospital for, do you think?

Would a nice velour tracksuity think do?

Extra foodie things are a great idea as she is already struggling with hospital food. She really doesn;t seem to be getting enough food to be growing twins with!

OP posts:

Original poster

soapbox · 25/09/2004 23:30

MTS - some really good ideas there. Disposable camera a great idea!

cab - not other children, but address book good idea.

Do folks still send birth announcement cards or is it all text these days? If so should I put in a couple of packs of announcement cards?

OP posts:

MTS · 25/09/2004 23:33

dh sent an e-mail to everyone but we are very environmentally friendly or lazy (take your pick about such things). with twins I think that your friends should avoid any unnecessary work and that a round robin e-mail would be just the thing - or if they didn't mind you doing the cards for them?

i can't think of anything particular your friend might need with a caesarian other than high or low sitting knicks to avoid pressure on the scar (and a helping hand with lifting etc).

cab · 25/09/2004 23:34

Wouldn't do any harm soapbox. She is likely to have a lot of time on her hands and feel pretty useless while her babies try and make a good start at life. A friend of mine had premmie twins and it really was a hard time for everyone. They're gorgeous 2 yr olds now though!

fairydust · 25/09/2004 23:48

I sent many weeks in hospical when pregnant with dd but luckly didn't deliver till 38weeks and i found a good book helped - the nights can be pretty lonely once dh had gone home.....

SamN · 25/09/2004 23:49

Sorry soapbox, don't know how long she might be in for - probably others who've had closer experiences can help out there?

Once ds1 was born, I was only in hospital for about 5 more days, but then he was nearly full term and he recovered quite quickly. I do remember that mums of preemies seemed to be discharged from hospital pretty quickly themselves, so they had to keep travelling there and back each day - or some stayed at hotels nearby. Can quite understand how it was a pretty difficult time for cab's friend.

The SCBU where we were had a big supply of cotton wool for cleaning the babies so you may not have to pack any for her.

Completely forgot about the knickers, sanitary towels and flipflops .

Teddies are a lovely idea and perhaps a few other small things that she can use to make the incubator or cribs a bit more personal.

Really hope it all goes well for her - she's lucky having a friend like you to think about these practical things.

Sam

Original poster

soapbox · 26/09/2004 00:01

Thanks Sam - I think the reality is that there seems so little I can do...

I know what she would really want is for her two babes to be healthy and well - the rest really is a bonus!

OP posts:

sallystrawberry · 26/09/2004 00:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

soapbox · 26/09/2004 10:50

bump - anyone else got any ideas???

OP posts:

lars · 26/09/2004 12:03

Ive had pre eclampsia twice and do understand how your friend is feeling at this moment- pretty anxious!
All i can say is think positive, baby who's mother have had pre eclampsia tend to be strong babies like my daughter and son was.
I found that I read every article about it after i had pre eclampsia as i just didn't know why me. So i think as much positive information you can find out would be most useful to your friend at this time.
As for what you will need small baby clothes was what i needed most- most clothes were far too big for mine - dolls clothes would have been better- prem clothes if you can get them.
I do hope all goes well which I'm sure it will, hope this helps and keeps us informed. larsxx

carla · 26/09/2004 12:22

Boredom busters!!

beansprout · 26/09/2004 13:43

M/care do a whole starter kit for prem babies that costs £30. They also do 3 packs of body suits and sleeping suits which are £3.50 and £7 respectively.

throckenholt · 26/09/2004 14:12

don't bother with the expressing device straight away - they will have them at the hospital. Premmie nappies that small will probably be provided by the hospital as will clothes - it will be a while before they get into normal sizes.

Try asking this question on twinsclub.co.uk - there a lot of people there who have been through it and can give you practical advice (try the forums).

All you can do really is be there for her - it will be tough over the next month or so mentally and physically (and after that when they all get home) - be a shoulder for her and try and get her and DH to express all their feelings - don't bottle things up.

Original poster

soapbox · 23/10/2004 20:01

Thought I should update this - twins were born yesterday evening (31.5 weeks) boy 2.5lbs and girl 3.5lbs. They are in neonatal unit but are not being respirated.

They are not completely out of the woods yet but are doing well!

Friend is doing well - all the swelling is gradually going down which is a relief as she described herself as looking like an oompa loompa!

Thanks for all your help - she was delighted with her hospital bag!

OP posts:

clairabelle · 23/10/2004 20:05

Congratulations to your friend hope all continues to go well with them

collision · 23/10/2004 21:47

Glad to know the babies are doing well. I presume she will be in for a while too til her bp goes down and she is 'normal' again. I had P/E with ds and it is strange when you cant feed your own baby and it can get quite boring. I asked a friend to come over and give me a makeover as I was looking rough and hadnt given myself a thought for a while. If she is up to it you could take her a manicure kit and do it for her and some hair straighteners and make her feel a bit better. It worked wonders for me. Hope she is well and let us know the names of the babies when you can.

Original poster

soapbox · 23/10/2004 21:51

Collision and Clairabelle - will pass on your good wishes!

I think they were going to try and get her to express today - if no luck then they said they would use the milk bank.

Names are Zachary (but shortened to Zac) and Olivia.

I think she is expecting to be in for a while which she stabalises so I will try and do something nice for her as you suggest

Have just had a glass of champagne to toast the babes safe arrival - fingers crossed they continue to do well!

OP posts:

ChicPea · 23/10/2004 21:57

Congratulations to your friend soapbox. Can't believe how tiny they are but thank goodness they are doing well.

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