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...

Only just seen this Aitch - sorry! Babies born at this age have a very good shot at being normal although obv a few weeks in scbu are expected.

Don't worry too much about your baby's weight, DS was estimated at four pounds and was 7 and a half.

If s/he is in scbu you will need to express every 3 hours round the clock for a fews weeks.

Off to read the rest - hang in there, it'll be okay

Oh Aitch - sending calm, strong vibes to you and to mini-Aitch.

Don't want to block up your mobile screen with loads of long messages, but had to say good luck Aitch. We're all crossing everything for you.

Aitch, SGK is on hols atm.

if baby is delivered this week, then she should be fine. are they starting you on steroid jabs to strengthen lungs?

ask to be shown round SCBU so it isnt too scary when you first go there.

Oh, Aitch ...just seen this and sending you lots of good vibes.

If your placenta is failing, then she is better out than in, but fingers crossed things improve placenta and growth wise and that they can keep your BP down as long as possible.

I know from the feeding boards that you are pretty determined about BFing this time around; with that determination and all the support you know is out there, I'm sure you will succeed

Take Care and try not to stress too much.

daisy xx

Aitch - first of all don't worry too much about your BP - mine was 180/134 at one point and I'm still kicking around!

Drugs help the BP but they make you feel depressed and heavy - but hey, that'll make a change eh?

You will need a 24 hour urine test before they will confirm PET anyway, but chances are they will want to do a doppler test on the umbilicus to see what the blood flow to the placenta is like. Also lots of growth scans.

You will probably be very bored - TAKE BOOKS!

The baby will be okay, try and rest as much as you can. Something like 30% of women get PET to one degree or another - less have to have early delivery but the high number that do mean that the care of them and their babies is very experienced and you will both be okay.

Take some nice snacks though, you'll be in a while and the food is crap.

re: breastfeeding, ask the unit for one of their super duper double breastpumps.

Oh no Aitch
thinking of you

Aitch If you want anyone come to the hospital then I'm just down the road so just say!

If there is anything else practically that I can do then the same applies.

heathermcleod_ @hotmail.com (without space)

Aitch - I had no idea you were pregnant!

A belated congratulations

and many good vibes and good wishes for you and your baby.

Oh bloody hell darling

I have just seen this

I don't have any experience to offer but I'll keep you both very much in mind tonight xxx

Little h is going to be in lots of our thoughts

What you do all day is make sure everyone that comes near you is washing their hands!!

A good friend of mine gave birth 11 days after me. Her baby hadnt been growing her womb and was exactly 3lbs when born - By c section. Her dd is now 10 weeks old and doing great. She was also admitted with high blood pressure a few weeks before dd was born.

She took dd home after 3 weeks in hospital. She chose not to breast feed but was given the option. They have pumps you can use.

Good luck xxx

OK positive stories...

My DSis didn't grow for 7 weeks when my Mum was pg with her (poor Mum was stuck in hospital for 2 months so they could XRay her every other day) She's a fine, if annoying, 32YO now!

DCousin was born at around 29 weeks, weighing just less than 2lbs. She's now a mad scientist geneticist with shedloads of degrees (and she got married last week!)

Hope everything goes well, and you don't get too bored.

x

Aitch - I hope all is well in the hospital. Thinking of you

My brother was born at 32 weeks weighing 3lb. That was more then 30 years ago, and he was a very healthy child and is now a very healthy adult.

Re time in hospital, DD was born 24th November, came home 20th December and that was with the added problem of the pneumothorax.

Oh bloody hell Aitch. Wishing you all the love and luck in the world. x

Hi Aitch

ds was born at 34 weeks and although it was horrible, horrible at the time, 18mths on he's a healthy & happy little boy.

he was my third and all have been early but it was a real shock with ds to be 6 wks early. I'm actually crying in our first photo together. He stayed in special care for 10 days and it was awful, nothing can prepare you for it. i expressed milk a few hours after the labour to stimulate milk supply and he was fed via a tube for about 10 days. they did let me BF him but he didnt seem to want me whilst in special care. However when we did get him home, he latched on fine and i BF him for a year.

I called BLISS alot and they had counsellors on the phone who just let me cry and the premature babies topic on here were great.

You need to have faith .... and TONS of support from anyone and everyone ... we're all here for you

take care

I had DS at 38 weeks due to low amniotic fluid.

In the low weight baby unit, there were babies at 2 lbs! Not special baby care - just a normal ward, but for smaller ones!

Poor you how scary

At 33 weeks, your little one will be tiny but will most likely not have too many problems on the breathing front, though may need support for a short time. Biggest problem is likely to be fattening him/her up, getting him to feed by himself and keeping him warm. Theres a possibility he'll end up jaundiced too.

Best case, and most likely scenario (depending on weight) is that he'll spend a few days or a week in an incubator recieving IV fluids and possibly antibiotics alongside your expressed breast milk (which nurses wil show you how to express using a pump) and after this it'll be purely a waiting game till he's big enough to suck at the breast. (until then, there wil be a 'nasogastric' tube in his nose going into his stomach that they can feed him milk through. Lots of hospitals will show you how to use this so you and DP can feed him yourself.)

Ask to see the NICU when you're admitted so you get a feel of what it's like and don't be afraid to ask questions. It's a very overwhelming environment, particularly in the intensive care bays where he may be for a day or two. I know lots of mums say they were upset not only for their own poor baby, but for all the mini ones around them. And I promise, at 32 weeks there will be lots of smaller, sicker babies than your little one, so don't be scared to ask what a certain piece of equipment is if it will make you feel more comfortable.

Where are you being admitted to?

Aitch hope all goes well - stick with the pumping and breastfeeding will follow. Who knows, your baby may just want to hang on in there if its comfy!

33wks isn't that early - he/she should do fine! If baby is born early ask about kangaroo care (as much skin to skin contact with you as possible) it works really well for preemie babies. Also at 33+wks you may be able to breastfeed straight away if he/she is strong enough.

Love, best wishes and all the luck in the world goes to you.
Take it easy
xx

Aitch, so sorry to hear this! My thoughts are with you and your little one, all the best!

Shall I go round and put the heid across the builders for you?

Seriously though, all the best. I'm also local, so let us know if there's anything you need.

hope you are reassured about all this soon - thinking of you both