Handhold please. 27 weeks and bleeding

[Vebrithien]

Just that. Currently in hospital, after having sudden bleeding starting at about 10pm. 27 weeks pregnant, phoned the hospital midwife, who told me to call 999.

Ambulance turned up within 5 mins, put a cannula in and took me straight to the assessment center/labour ward.

Baby heartbeat is fine, but having tightenings, and a test for showing possible premature labour came back positive.

Been scanned, don't think the blood is from the placenta or cord, but it is quite watery. Going to be given antibiotics and steroid injection asap, then reassessed in the morning, including testing for amniotic fluid.

On my own, husband looking after our 3yo DD, and in any case, not allowed in with me anyway. Had 2 losses in the last year, and am so scared something will happen to this one too.

Sending a hug OP

Sending all good wishes with everyone else - and the two reminders I give everyone in hospital: chargers (phone and kindle!) and flip flops for the shower

Had a visit from the neonatal doctors, who talked me through what would happen if I went into full labour now.
Even if born today, 89% chance of survival, and unless something was very wrong, baby would be able to stay here, in the Level 2 (vacuum cleaner) neonatal unit.
Had a wash/wipe round, and sitting properly up in bed, with brushed hair, so feeling a bit more human.

Will have to stay in until at least tomorrow, for more steroids, unless they are needed urgently. If contractions ramp up, magnesium sulphate would also be given.

Knowledge is power.

Thank you for all of your posts, they are really helping.

I actually teach prematurity as part of biology lessons at school, so been good to find out where baby fits in currently.

That's great and they seem very capable and on the ball. Lots of luck x

I'm so glad that they've made you feel much more at ease with everything, it sounds like they are really looking after you! Keep going you've got this ❤️

Now up on the antenatal ward
4 bed room, but at the moment I'm the only one in it.
Have a bed, comfy chair and a foot stall + am next to the window with the windows open (bliss!)
Contractions seem to be less frequent, just got gripey pains.
Slippers on, glass of squash, window watching now!

So Level 2 should be able to handle most things as long as the baby doesn’t need to be ventilated. Our Level 2 wouldn’t take a ventilated baby longer than 24 hours. And those statistics are actually an undercount (based on global stats)- the UK’s stats are actually much much better at 27 weeks so I am keeping all my fingers and toes crossed. Literally every hour and every day your baby stays in is absolutely amazing. You are doing a wonderful job of keeping calm.

This must have been terrifying, it's great you're in good hands now ! Fingers crossed for your little warrior, the odds are on your side.

I apologize if this is not helpful but if it looks likely baby may arrive early perhaps you and/or DH can shop for some prema clothes ? Even if s/he stays a few weeks longer in there they will probably need the smaller clothes. And diapers as well.

Thank you.
The neonatal doctors said that they could vent baby if needed, and that they could stay here, it was only of vented and other serious issues started, that they would have to move.
I've had a look at some premature baby clothes, and especially ADSA are delivering quickly.

I'm also knitting, have some lovely premature baby hat and cardigan patterns, that I've previously used for DD's dollies.

Just been fed again ()

Most babies don’t need clothes till 30 weeks-ish so don’t worry. ASDA, M&S all do prem baby clothes. And hospitals have their own clothes as well. To begin with because of the sterilisation stuff it was easier for him to wear hospital clothes. Then when he was out of the incubator (32/33 weeks I think) we switched him to our clothes and blankets.

Pampers do very tiny diapers. Buy lots of hand cream. A diary to keep notes. We were also encouraged to do daily cares- we would oil him, clean his ‘bits’ and hold the syringe for his feeds. And they liked examining the baby at the same time to avoid disturbing him. And my 26 weeker would regularly shit all over the consultant. I remember him saying to my son, ‘my friend this is a nice shirt- a birthday gift, shall we try not to poop on me today?!!’

One morning I walked in to find the nurse on the night shift half crying half laughing. Apparently my 26 weeker, then about 30/31 weeks had pooped, she was changing him and he reached into his nappy, scooped up some poop and flung it around. The consultant laughed and said: ok, fine motor skills are on point then!

Thinking of you OP

Thank you.
Yes, I've not ordered anything yet, but just had a little look, to be prepared. Knitting tiny things are also a good way of keeping myself busy

Sounds like you're in the best place & being looked after, keeping my fingers crossed for you

Wishing you all the best OP. I'm expecting second baby and it's not been an easy ride this time. Whenever I've been scared/in hospital I just think about my DD who's 3, and how strong I need to be as an example for her. You're doing a fantastic job

You’ve reminded me of how nice the food is there! I had to be admitted antenatally a couple of times and as a fussy eater I was very satisfied!
The little ice cream pots are the best, I actually tried to find them in the shops after I left

OP if it comes to it and you cant get hold of any preemie clothes, the level 2 (vacuum cleaner) unit has a linen store absolutely chock full of preemie clothes. Hope you are okay x

Just to clarify, when i say 'linen store' i dont mean a shop....its a walk in cupboard full of tiny clothes

Sending you hugs OP. I had a PROM and early delivery (although a couple of weeks later than you) when DH was abroad, and the NHS staff were utterly brilliant. I know all medics are amazing but honestly NICU and paediatrics teams are a special breed of human. You are in the right place and you sound very calm and in control.
One suggestion would be to ask for someone to bring in a notebook so you can write things down, you may get given a lot of information quickly and if you're trying to relay it to DH or family by phone it's good to have some notes. Hope you get plenty of knitting done by your sunny window and are able to rest and sleep x

No advice, but wanted to send 💕 x

Thank you all.
Just waiting for the final monitoring of the day. So far neither the contractions nor the blood loss/fluid loss has ramped up. So that is a positive response, compared to what could have happened.
Just aiming to keep baby in situ for a long as possible.

Fingers crossed baby stays put.
Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?

Not found out if boy or girl, always said I wanted a surprise to help me through labour. Didn't find out for DD either.

So, status update.

Had my second set of steroid injection still taking the antibiotics. Some (old) blood loss, but not in large amounts. Fluid loss seems to be minimal.

Had CTG (baby and contraction monitoring?) at midnight, and they showed a good fetal heart rate, and the contractions seem to be dampening down to localised cramps over one side of my uterus.

Interesting, this is the area that was really hurting in the day or so before the bleed. The consultant seems to think that it may have been a small placental edge bleed, high up at the front, that made a little hole in the amniotic sac. Would explain the pain before bleeding, and the general soreness/localised cramping in the area.

Lots of kicks already today, had toast and on a cup of coffee now, waiting for the next CTG, compared to yesterday, in lots less pain and discomfort. So fingers crossed, baby is planning on staying put for a bit longer!

Sounds good op 🤞

That sounds like good news, and great about the heart rate and kicking. Hang on in there baby!

I must say I am hugely impressed by your level headedness .

Hope you get some r&r today (and the 3ks). Keep us updated xx