Currently in NICU with 1lb 25wk very sick baby boy.

[Supershiv1]

How do I cope??
Have googled but I can't find comparable stories. All others involve babies twice the weight.
Am struggling to be sure I am doing the right thing putting my baby boy through all this.
He has grade 4 IVH & grade 2 so have no idea of quality of life at the end of all this.
Having said that he has fought for 10 days so far. The other parents in NICU have heavier babies and not the bleeds so feel like their problems are trivial compared to my baby boys.
I feel very weepy even though I am trying to put a brave face on.
How much more can my baby boy take? I can't hold him and I just want to tell him it will be ok but I don't know that it will.

[Supershiv1]

Oliver's Army link:www.facebook.com/groups/436217733151412/

[Supershiv1]

My goodness you can post pictures now!

[CelticPromise]

He's gorgeous. Happy birthday Oliver you amazing boy

[TheMightyMing]

So fab to see a pic!! He's lovely , God bless him xx

[NewToAllThis11]

He looks lovely!

[MultipleMama]

I am so so glad to hear he's doing amazingly. And he's friggin' adorable! Xx

[Supershiv1]

You know. I've still never been able to read this thread back. One day I will.
Oliver is now a big brother. He has a sister who, at 15 months, is already bigger than him.
He's very chatty but doesn't walk or crawl. I suppose it would be crazy to think that we would've come out of the NICU at all, never mind unscathed.
Here he is - the lovely boy I was told would never smile or acknowledge me [heart]

[Rosieposy4]

How wonderful to update this thread, he looks so adorable.

[CanWeNot]

Ok well I've just read the whole thread for the first time and MY GOD, what a journey! You must be so proud OP. He is absolutely gorgeous. What a strong and clever little guy! Ignore my crying, someone must be cutting onions somewhere

[Ebayaholic]

Same as canwenot, onions here too. What an amazing story, enjoy your family

[sepsisandAKI]

Aww I remember your thread. I'd just found out I was pregnant. How time flies. What a gorgeous little boy. I bet you're so proud of where he's got to.

[Sandsnake]

What a gorgeous boy. I've just read this thread from the beginning (wasn't a member in 2013) and was desperate for Oliver to be OK. He really is beautiful, you must be so proud. And congrats on your DD as well

[Glamorousglitter]

What a strong amazing little boy, and what a beautiful smile. Your story is inspiring (I work with premature infants) wishing your lovely family much happiness

[DramaAlpaca]

I've just read through the whole thread, I hadn't seen it before. What a journey you and your gorgeous boy have been on. My very best wishes to your family

[NeedABanner]

Thank you for the update (I had a different posting name back then).

He is gorgeous 😁 From little acorns big oaks grow!

I'm not surprised you haven't read the thread back, I started to, but it's still very hard reading from my POV, let alone yours! Skipping to the much happier ending is better 💐

Do you have any idea if he will crawl or walk? Is there any reason it's impossible? They generally don't start to investigate non walking children born full term/average weight etc until 2.5 so I'm sure there's plenty of time for him to find his feet if you've no particular reason he can't

Lovely to hear you've got a DD as well now, I bet that was all a bit scary for you. 💐

[cookiefiend]

He is gorgeous! I have just read the whole thread (with my heart in my mouth) I am so pleased to see how well he is doing and how happy he seems. Congratulations!

[scrumptiouscrumpets]

Just read all your posts on this thread. They made me cry so much, I had a prem baby in the NICU too, though our journey was much smoother than yours. I can't begin to imagine how anxious you must have felt! You sound like a lovely mum, full of courage and love. You must be so proud of your little boy, it's amazing how tough these little preemies are isn't it? He looks like a very happy little boy! Wishing you and your family all the best!

[Tweennightmare]

Amazing story and one I am sure will give a lot of hope to parents going through the same thing. Your son is gorgeous it is truly incredible the miracle of medical science which has allowed you to have your son here today

[Titchypanda]

Didn't want to read and run. My little girl was born at 1lb1oz at 25+3 gestation. We are almost 6 weeks into our nicu journey. Reading about Oliver and yours and your partner's journey has given me renewed strength and the hope that our little girl will one day be strong and well enough to come home.

Enjoy your beautiful boy and his sister x

[Supershiv1]

Oliver started school in September and loves singing and counting.
He has Global Developmental Delay and this is much more apparent physically than cognitively. O cannot walk or crawl but has decent fine motor skills and likes to entertain everyone with his singing. He's still tiny (11kg) and is having endocrinology tests at Alder Hey.
He is amazing and he loves his 'little' sister.

[ClariceClap]

A lovely update! for you all OP. You've come so far.

[AWhistlingWoman]

Thank you for the update supershiv, hope Oliver is enjoying school and glad he loves his little sister.

I was the third response on your post all those years ago. My 23 weeker is nine now! It's a long old road isn't it?

[MamaOfTwos]

My little one was a 28 weeker but NICU is the sort of place where you need to take it hours at a time, try and find comfort in the routine, expressing every 2.5-3 hours always helped me to break down the day.
Make sure you eat and drink plenty and look after yourself - you've just given birth.
Keep a diary and choose an item to take 'comparison' photos so you can see your babies growth. We used an unopened coke can as it could be easily sterilised!