shitey mc shite. Aitch is being admitted to hospital today, 33 weeks pg with pre-eclampsia, they're talking about sectioning me by the end of the week. and <sobs> the baby hasn't grown in two weeks. the poor litte thing is only about 3lb... it's too ...

[Aitch]

and i'll see if i can MN from my mobile phone when i get to the hosp.

any good stories? SKG? whomoved?

and what will happen with breastfeeding?

oh FUCK. i'm so upset. she's too wee to come out...

Best of luck to you, Aitch. xxx

Good luck Aitch. Hope you and baby are safe and well.

lots of good luck aitch.

Any news from Aitch?

By expatinscotland on Wed 27-Aug-08 15:24:11
Aitch is still in hospital and worried and there's talk of csection on Thursday.

Please, everyone, good vibes, thoughts and prayers for Aitch and wee one that wee one can stay inside her mummy for as long as possible but if not that things go well.

I've not heard from her since this morning and hope she is getting some rest

love you aitch
thinking of you

thinking of you Aitch and thanks for keeping us updated expat. Hope they're doing the best for you both, whatever the procedure.
stay well.

Thinking of you xxx

Aitch hope your baby stays put and healthy for a while longer - but at 33 weeks chances are she'll be fine.

DS2 was born at 30+5 weighing 3lb - he was in hospital for 5 weeks and came home bfed on demand. From my experience of bfing a premie the main problems were a very sleepy baby and feeling like it would be much easier for the SCBU staff if I was bottle feeding. Express as much as you can, also kangaroo care is great for bonding and milk production. I tried to get DS2 to latch on as soon as I could, it took a while but it was worth it even when he was only licking the nipple, he knew where the milk was coming from and I'm sure it helped in the long run.

The feeding schedule in most SCBUs is (unintentionally) very discouraging for bfing mothers - I was constantly being asked how much milk DS2 had taken (and of course I had no idea, which made me paranoid he wasn't getting enough) and he was only fed 4hrly when I couldn't be there. I did insist on cup feeding rather than EBM in a bottle though, once his NG tube was out. DS2s weight gain was very slow while he was still in hospital but once I got him home and was able to bf on demand 24/7 his weight gain shot up - so clearly the 4hrly schedule wasn't enough.

I hope this hasn't been too garbled (sleep deprived) and that sharing our experience is helpful for you - don't let anyone discourage you with the breastfeeding and (obviously you know that MN is a great place to get advice!

Oh Darling just seen this
Thinking of you & little one xxx

everything crossed for you and your wee one

everything crossed for you and your wee one

Aitch ,we have never really chatted but just want to say again I am thinking of you and your lo.(((((hugs)))))

Aitch ,we have never really chatted but just want to say again I am thinking of you and your lo.(((((hugs)))))

x

didnt want to read and leave without sending oodles of positive MN vibes and good wishes to you and all your family

good luck and best wishes to you xx

thinking of you Aitch

Thinking of you too Aitch Lots of positive vibes in the air tonight...

Just checking in, sweetheart. Have been thinking good thoughts for you all day.

Message withdrawn

Message withdrawn

Haven't chatted really, although I relied on your BLW site when DD was younger. Thinking of you.

I haven't had time to read the whole thread so appologies if this is already mentioned, but if you have you come across Kangaroo Care? The basic principles are that the baby is carried by (preferably) the mother, skin-to-skin, as muhc as possible - 24/7 preferably, although anything is beneficial. Advantages to babies relative to being in an incubator are numerous and include better breathing, heart rate, thermal regulation and breastfeeding.

"Kangaroo Care originated in Bogota, Columbia in 1983 by Neos Edgar Rey and Hector Martinez when they developed the "Kangaroo Mother Care" program to decrease the high mortality rate among preemies. Moms carried their preemies in slings all day, every day and the mortality rate fell from 70% to 30%."
(taken from 2nd link below)

More info here and here as starting points, although masses of other sites will pop up if you google.

Really hope your DD hangs on in there a while longer, but it might be worth trying to have a look if you get a chance and seeing how receptive the hospital are.

Thanks for the update, expat. Is there anything praactical that those of us not in the vicinity can do?

Another dose of good vibes coming your way