I'm due in a few weeks, but I'm totally unprepared

[oneofmeiscutebuttwothough]

I am 32 weeks pregnant but honestly until this point everything has carried on as normal. I'm 26 and don't feel like I'm pregnant at all.

My husband and I both got promoted literally the week before I found out I was pregnant. Work has been incredibly busy and aside from my maternity appointments I've barely had time to think about the fact I'm having a baby. I've carried on working out like normal, socialising like normal, everything has been normal.

My work have been brilliant and i have an amazing maternity package, so I rolled over a lot of holiday from last year and they let me take this year's holiday pre-baby, so I've just finished work and it's hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm having a baby in possibly five weeks or even sooner (or even later!), and we have very little. Baby has a room set aside for them but it's pretty much the storage closet for all of our things at the moment.

I've not had a chance to get to any classes or anything like that, so I feel like I'm totally unprepared. What the hell do I do now?!

Nope we don't have a car seat! Sadly it's looking like baby girl will be here for a little while, so my gorgeous mother in law is getting us a car seat/pram etc., which is something!

Take care of yourself, the neonatal unit is not an easy place to be.

Congratulations OP! What a whirlwind.

I was a NICU mum and you will get lots of support and a bit of notice of discharge, so you will have some time to get those final bits. There are some amazing NICU threads on MN you can read for support. The NICU might also have a psychologist for you to chat things through with.

The avianaut pixel pro is an excellent car seat for prem babies or the maxi cosi cabriofix (but it's not as long lasting as the pixel pro). The pixel pro attaches to most prams using maxi cosi adapters.

John Lewis, M&S and George at Asda are great for prem baby clothes but you mostly have to buy online - buy footless sleepsuits and it will make it easier for the monitors to attach to baby girl's foot. If your daughter can wear clothes now, the NICU might have a lending wardrobe (ours did).

The nurses will keep asking about a name but don't worry. Our DD1 had been in NICU for nearly 2weeks before we settled on a name.

Take care of yourself - it will likely hit you in a few days. Don't be afraid to tell anyone and everyone about how you are feeling. There's lots of support out there ❤️

Oh my goodness OP! Congratulations! I hope everything is OK. I imagine you'll be staying in hospital for a little while if she was born at 32 weeks?

And yes, you're going to need to buy preemie/tiny baby clothes.

My son was 6lbs when he was born (at 40 weeks) and newborn stuff was too big for him for ages.

Wow OP! That was not the turn I expected this thread to take.

Congratulations on the birth of your gorgeous little girl. I wish your whole family well and an abundance of joy. Look after yourself, you've been through quite a shock.

The joy and reality hitting you of becoming a new parent was showing through each subsequent post. May each month that passes with your little bundle continue to amaze and delight you x

Massive congratulations on the arrival of your little girl! I was in a similar boat a while back, I didn't have much prepared (in my case because I was so anxious about something going wrong!) and the day after I finished work for mat leave I ended up having my son.

I strongly recommend the avionaut pixel pro car seat - so many car seats are completely unsuitable and unsafe for preemie babies, they can end up really chin to chest and it can impact their breathing. The pixel pro is excellent for tiny babies (I think @CrispAppleStrudels already mentioned this seat, its a great choice)

Don't worry too much about all the other things you haven't got yet. Amazon next day delivery is your friend 😂

Congratulations again!

Wow, this thread took a turn!! Congratulations OP!

I can't express how much your words all mean to me ❤️ baby girl is on a ventilator, she's doing well but obviously is in need of support. We're picking a name today, which feels daunting!

Oh bless her little heart I hope she's big and strong enough to come home soon 💖

I'm feeling really low tonight. I'm going to be discharged in the morning and going home without my baby girl feels so unnatural 💔

Oh, have a big unmumsnetty hug, OP. Do you have any idea how long she's likely to stay in for?

They think at least a week, but they said that they can never be sure

It's the hardest feeling, OP. I had a good cry the night I went home without DD1. How close do you live to the hospital? Is there a Ronald McDonald house or similar? We were offered a room there so that I could be on site to be with baby in the middle of the night. Also when baby is big enough to be moved into SCBU / off the ventilator, they may offer "rooming in", which is where you stay in the hospital itself with baby overnight. Someone from the neonatal unit should be giving you all this information.

Remember that your hormones will be all over the place so just allow yourself to feel ALL the feelings.

You might also find it helpful to reach out to the charity Bliss who support sick and prem babies and their families.

I can still remember the feeling of leaving my 31 week daughter in NICU. I sobbed all the way home so I can totally sympathize. She's now 25 and 14 weeks pregnant herself

Sorry all for the lack of updates, I just feel like my head isn't screwed on. I'm really struggling physically and mentally, I'm sore and my milk has come in so I feel like I'm up every hour to pump for baby girl.

Tips on pumping, if your not in the same room. A picture / video of her can help. Also make sure you are eating and drinking lots. The hospital should lend you a medical grade pump if she's in NICU. Your hormones must be in a whirl wind try and be nice to yourself and your partner xx

@oneofmeiscutebuttwothough please don't apologise for anything! You don't owe anyone here an update. It's such a tough start when your baby is in NICU/SCBU.

Hang in there OP. This is the hardest part. Hopefully she'll be allowed to go home soon.

Massive congratulations, and hope your lo is off support quickly, I know several people who took babies home by the equivalent of 34 weeks, hopefully you will be able to too.

No idea if they still do them but Asda tiny baby range came to my rescue when my dd was born far smaller than expected (term but tiny as it turns out I have a rare issue).

See it as ‘learning on the job’. You will be fine! Sending good vibes to your baby! Hope she’s getting stronger each day.