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...

Aw Aitch - I hope this isn't anything to do with the stress of your neighbours building works!

Like others, my DD was a 33 weeker and was fine (and she was quick, so no time for the lung-maturing drugs to work). Only in SCBU for 2 weeks, and quite big by the standards of other babies in there. Just don't go anywhere near those big, term babies while you're in - they'll look like giant babies!

Good luck!

Thinking of you, aitch. All the best for an uneventful few days (or...maybe..weeks...?!)followed by a happy event (even if it isn't quite how you had envisaged it...)
Lots of positive stories and support here.

Thinking of you Aitch xxx

I had dd4 at 33 weeks and although in special care and tube fed for a while I expressed adn managed to start feeding her when she was 2 weeks old. She came home at 3 weeks and b/f for a year.

Be strong and keep us posted if possible xxxx

Sending you lots of positive vibes for a later delivery.

Keep well and take very good care of yourself.

xxx

I've just got here
GOOD LUCK
hope you can mn from your phone

Sending positive vibes and {{{{{{hugs}}}}}}

Take care and good luck xxx

Bags of good wishes from across the city, Aitch and Aitchlet.

I was admitted to the Royal (due to mystery bleed)and kept there for a few days before my ds was born. Would second suggestions to take books, but found that the other women were great, friendly and really supportive. You could tell you were on the West Coast, if you see what I mean.

Hoping all goes well - sending lots of positive vibes & love x

Hi Aitch,

You know me from the BLW forum (same username). DS was born at 31+3 due to preeclampsia and after 10 days of it I had an emergency C-section. Everything was fine so don't worry too much.

With my first baby I developed preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome at around 22 weeks but it went undiagnosed until 23+5 and he died sometime between me being admitted and the test results coming back. Understandably I was terrified about having it a second time and facing a c-section at 31+3, but the Midwife looking after me didn't seem worried at all and actually said "You'll be fine!".

I had no problems with milk supply at all (although I needed to nag a bit for a pump in the HDU where I was for a few days). Until about 33-34 weeks babies apparently don't have a suck reflex so Alexander was tube fed expressed milk (he didn't need that much at first) for the first few weeks, and I had extensive support from breastfeeding nurses who worked in the neonatal ward. They were much better in the neonatal ward in fact than they were downstairs IME.

While I was in hospital with the preeclampsia there was a woman on the same ward with a baby who had been born at 33 weeks who hadn't needed special care because she was holding her own. However, I think she was having lots of problems with breastfeeding (prem babies are notoriously sleepy) and maybe she would have got more support downstairs I think .

I really hope it all goes well for you and try not to worry too much because at 33 weeks if the preeclampsia is established the baby really is better off on the outside.

Anna xx

GOOD LUCK Aitch and little Aitch xx

lots of love aitch xxx

Aitch - ((((((hugs)))))) Nothing really to add to what's been said but draw strength from all these positive stories and the fact that the whole of MN is thinking of you. Stay strong and hope all goes as well as it can over the next few days.

And just when the hell were you going to tell me that I'm about to become a father, young lady?

Awww, my aitch-baby with a baby. Listen to that lulu broad, she knows the scene.

So who is this Shitey McShite character? Is he a Scotchman? I don't want him messing with you. I'll send the boys round to kick his tartan ass.

Bastard bloody preeclampsia! Can't add any helpful advice from own experience, my PE came on in last few weeks, was induced on due date. But listen to everyone else! You and little one will be fine. Heart aches for you though - what a horrible thing to go through!

Sending best wishes.

I had dd at 32 weeks because of pre-eclampsia and HELLP. She is now a fab two year old. Hope all goes well for you.

Good luck Aitch! - they will look after you and baby DD, and here's hoping she can stay inside longer. But my cousin had her baby boy at 26 weeks after a sudden PE collapse (ie even less warning and preparation) - he was less than 2lb - and he is now 5, healthy and normal.

Aitch, I'm local to you (expat put me on to this thread) so if you can get in touch, you need anything brought in to the hospital, you need a natter to someone just for a bit of light releif, you just want a coffee brought up, then let me know.

Especially free am as my baby (almost 5!!! my littlest one) has just started school. I was in hospital from 33/34 weeks with her as I was so ill with a kidney problem - no the same, but I know the mind-numbing boredom and crap of being in hospital for week and weeks.

take care and be in touch if you need anything

weegie
x

Thinking of the Atiches, big and little.

ask any NICU nurse: 33 weeks is GOOD! my daughters were born 33 weeks - the littlest one at about 3 pounds. they are now strapping, healthy 2,5 years old.
sending good vibes.

Only just saw this Aitch, searching to see if you've been about to tell you of my new found obsession with Lester Freamon!

Good luck, thinking of you xxx

Aitch, only read OP (no time, am at work), am really really sorry about the PE.

So first - you might hang on longer. I was admitted at 31 weeks, given steroids, expected imminent delivery - actually wasn't delivered until 34+3.

Your little one will be just fine at 33 weeks. Ds is a wonderful chunky gorgeous toddler despite being ventilated and being pretty poorly in SCBU (NOTHING to do with PE, just the way I make babies apparently). At 33 weeks most babies just need to learn to feed and a bit of fattening up.

The breast feeding will be just fine too! You need to make sure you start expressing ASAP - ask for help if none is forthcoming. LO will probably have to be tube fed until the sucking reflex kicks in. Then post on here and ask for help, there are lots of people who have done it before. I fed ds until 2 weeks before his second birthday, when he self-weaned.

OK so none of this is ideal, and babies in SCBU give you lots of ups and downs, but it really will be fine. Oh I really feel for you, I really do. Am waffling now . Lots of luck, hope your LO hangs in there a bit longer!

hope you are doing ok

can we arrange a parcel for the hospital, will you have to stay in a while?

mags n choc etc

aitch... if she finds it difficult to feed then hand express into a syringe. That way the colostrum won't look so meagre and those precious drops won't get lost inside the tubing of the breastpump!

Find out if the hospital has a breastmilk bank (or access to one).

Remember to massage your breasts fully before expressing.

I'm sure that all will be well. I've had clients whose babies have been born at this stage and all babies are doing well.

If you look on my site you'll find my contact number. Call if you need to.

Good luck Aitch, crossing everything x

Aitch, just wanted to wish you and your DD luck. We're all thinking of you x