Tips/Advice on how to cope please.

[MultipleMama]

I'm having a ELC on 4th October, I'll be 31+3. This pregnancy has been high risk from the start due to being twins but due to more complications; me and one baby, it's been stressful and heartbreaking. I won't go into too much detail and ramble on.

Here's the facts:
T1's has Oligohydramnios, started at 9 weeks. Always up and down.
T1's has SUA and severe IUGR diagnosed at 20 weeks.
T2 is healthy and estimated at 3lbs.
T1 is estimated at 1lb 5oz.
I had an Iron IV at 24 weeks.
Went into preterm labor on Monday. Had magnesium until Friday afternoon and steriods.
I have 4 other DC who are thankfully in school/nursery all week.

I'm struggling to deal with it all and have no idea what I should pack in my bag seeing as I won't be bringing them home. We've had a tour of the wards but it's not really helped.

What should I expect involvement wise. I want to use cloth diapers but no idea where to start for babies that small or even if they're allowed. I plan on calling the NICU but was hoping you lovelies with experience could lend me some tips and advice.

Sorry for the long post! Stuck in a hospital bed has left me nothing to do but think.

[MultipleMama]

We're good :)

Artie is doing amazingly well with the cup and boob. Next week can't come quick enough! :)

A'lo has a slightly swollen stomach and covered in patches of rashes. The swelling and bruising on his neck have almost gone which has helped a lot with his apnea spells. Still having enormous amounts of Brady but hoping they calm down.

[Mama1980]

Happy to hear you're ok. Way to go Artemis amazing progress. Glad the bruising is going down on Apollo, is he still taking feeds well? Have everything crossed he bounces back quickly. X

[MultipleMama]

Thanks :)

They were debating whether on not to stop his feeds but as it seems to be helping him and he's put on a couple oz since he started b/m so they're reluctant to halt or back track his progress :)

[MultipleMama]

Spent the afternoon at the hospital with DH. Starting to gain a little trust of the hospital back. I think it's mainly due to A'lo's nurse who involves us so much in his care. I changed him into his first diaper today! It's cloth - the disposables are too rough on his skin. His alarm went off during but his nurse said it's be expected. His stomach is so swollen and he looks so ill.

Artie is my little trooper! She pee'd on DH today during Kangaroo care. Hilarious.

[Mama1980]

Sorry for your dh but that made me laugh out loud oh the joys of parenthood.
Glad You are getting to do more for Apollo. Have they done repeat tests to see if the infection is responding? X

[MultipleMama]

They tested this morning so we'll know if the infection is responding.

The nurses found it hilarious too. DH soon found the funny side and tickled her. Still unable to believe she could be home next week!

[MultipleMama]

Ladies can I ask for your experience? When I eventually bring Artie and Apollo home. What can I expect: appointment and care wise? I'm completely overwhelmed.

Spoke to one of the neuros involved in Apollo's care and said he'd need to see at least 3 specialists!

Unsure to registar him with Doctors in UK or wait until we move to Germany at the end of December so confused and lost about it all.

[plentyofsoap]

You want them home then it hits you that you will be on your own!! With my first prem I had nothing at all which was five years ago. However with my second we got home a couple of weeks ago and had a transitional care nurse come to see us once a week. I have briefly seen a midwife and a health visitor twice.
They mainly check weight gain and as she is gaining fast they don't want to see her for two weeks. Both mine were later than the twins. I have two friends one has a ds born 26 weeks and the other 28 weeks. They have various care for developmental issues like sight as they need the support although both are doing great.

[MultipleMama]

Thanks, Plenty. It's so completely overwhelming. I feel like a first time mama all over again.

I feel so rude talking about myself/kids. How are your LOs? They doing okay? X

[plentyofsoap]

It is alot to take in! The first time with my ds it was a shock as you have support in hospital, then you are home. He was a nighmare to feed tbh and we had issues with his weight for a long while. He is perfect now. One thing with prems is they sleep alot that surprised me. Just take the support they offer you though.
Dd was also prem (same as ds, 7 weeks early) but is very different but girls do better than boys apparently?
Same as you I was told to get prepared for an early arrival and second time round it was easier as we knew what to expect. Still scary though and I would not wish the experience on anyone.
It makes you realise that you can never take things for granted. Years from now you will be amazed by them x

[plentyofsoap]

Forgot to say I have some tiny baby girl clothes dd has just grown out of. Pm me if you would like me to post them to you x

[MultipleMama]

That's a lovely offer, Plenty. Thank you. However if she has anymore clothes she'll have her own walk in wardrobe! We find she fits in the M&Ps petite petite range perfectly so we're good but thank you so much for the offer xx

A ladie in SCBU has gave me her son's pop n grow stuff along with other clothes other preemue mum's gave her so I'm sorted for him too.

The amount of support is amazing xx

[MultipleMama]

Artie could be home on Saturday!!!! [grin[ .

[Mama1980]

Amazing news
how's Apollo doing?
My experiences of bringing my sons home is very different ds1 (born 26 weeks) can home on O2 and a lot kid medication prior to further operations so his care was very full on I had a nurse everyday and hospital appointments at least once a week. He was 18 months before we had anything approaching 'normal' life. He's a perfectly healthy 5 year old now who's very tall randomly. They literally had to rebuilt his bowel, and heart but you'd never in a million years guess it.
My second (24 weeks) came home in April with very little fanfare really, he had no presenting issues and was breast feeding perfectly. I had followup care everyday for about 3 weeks as he was still less than 5lbs despite being over 6 months old! Then check ups every 2 weeks, then every month....and now he will have one at a year in December but that's it he has also had several appointments with a preemie nutritionist as his gut had some issues adjusting to weaning, but this is usually a micro preemie issue though so hopefully won't be necessary. The first few days were scary and I didn't put him down for at least a month

[MultipleMama]

Really happy to hear your boys are doing well. You must be so proud of them. They truely are fighters.

A'lo is... ill. It's the only way I can describe him, they called us this morning to come in as they feared the worse. Very scary, DH held me as I broke down. As the day went on his sats rose and his heart rate rose above 50bpm. They've had to sedate him because trying to fight the infection is putting a strain on his heart. However the infection is responding to the antibiotics, so it's still touch and go but they say it's all on him now to fight.

Currently loving spending time wirh Artie alone away from the eyes of others. We have a parent room to ourselves :)

[Mama1980]

Thanks.
Im so sorry to read your update, there are no words but I'm thinking of you all and willing Apollo to fight. I've everything crossed that he can hang on while the anti biotics do their job.
I'm glad you can get some privacy and cuddle Artemis tight.
X

[CelticPromise]

Thinking of you all and saying a prayer for Apollo. Come on little one.

[MultipleMama]

Thanks, ladies. DH is staying overnight with him so he's not alone. Feel so helpless, fed up and angry. My boy has done nothing to warrant this and yet he is constantly having to battle for his life. It's not bloody fair. Sorry, just over emotional.

Artie is doing brilliantly. She's keeping me sane, and centered. Very proud wgich eases some of the heartache. Just the simple things like brushing my lips against her head, and watching her make snuffling noises during sleep, are something I took for granted. Not anymore. She's feeding perfectly well, I refuse to put her down though! Xx

[CelticPromise]

How wonderful that you don't have to put her down. I hope you can enjoy being close with your lovely girl despite the worry.

I think you are allowed to feel emotional! You are right it's not fair at all that your boy has to fight so hard. They are amazingly resilient though. I will be thinking of him and hoping for a peaceful night.

[Mama1980]

No need at all to apologise at all-It is awful, and shit and unfair. I hope Apollo had a better night?, we're all rooting for you baby boy. X

[Mama1980]

I know what you mean about never putting Artemis down, I seriously didn't put my son down for over a month a sling was my friend. After all those machines touch is the most comforting thing I think for everyone x

[MultipleMama]

Slings are my best friend too! I've used the same wrap on all my DC and I can't wait to start wearing her, it'll also stop people and their wandering hands! :)

Oh, and she's coming home today!! She'll be discharged when the Neuro checks her over on his round at 11am :)

[MultipleMama]

Artie is now home! There is a photo of her on my profile, if you wish to see her. It'll be taken down tomorrow per DH's request xx

[CelticPromise]

Aw she's a beauty, what a lovely pic

How's Apollo today?

[MultipleMama]

Thanks, can't stop staring at her. Now she home I can scrape the 2 hourly feeds and start on demand like we planned from the beginning. She's been quiet and really well behaved. Just put her down for the first time today let's she how long her "quiet" demeaner will last! :)

There's so change with A'lo. DH has been up all day so I plan to pop up for an hour or so tonight x