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Premature birth

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I'm giving birth to a very poorly 29 weeker tomorrow, any advice?

556 replies

Alb1 · 01/04/2017 19:47

I won't go into too much detail as it can be a little quiet on here and I don't want to pour my heart out to no replies Blush

Il be exactly 29 weeks tomorrow, the baby is very poorly and it's been made clear her chances arnt great if they deliver her. But we also don't have any options to help her if we leave her in utero, so she's clearly going to get more sick and die anyway. The doctors arnt giving an opinion of what they think is best so it's all been left down to us, although they said if I was past 32 weeks they'd deliver. So we feel we need to deliver as surly even a tiny tiny chance is better than no chance. Our last baby was stillborn to the same condition (we were told these things don't happen twice, we had absolutely no idea, and nither did the doctors, that it could reoccur) but we didn't find out until hours before she died last time so we couldn't do anything, this time we've been trying for over 4 weeks and have exhausted all options other than delivery.

Don't no what advice I'm looking for, has anyone else had a baby against the odds and how did it go? I think with the doctors not being able to offer an opinion I want to feel like I'm not making a selfish or wrong decision somehow Confused

OP posts:
BarchesterFlowers · 29/05/2017 22:35

Alb, my 29 weeker also had a pda which was closed surgically at 13 months. It wasn't discovered until 12 months. I too expressed for months but at 7 months she got the gist of bf and we carried on for ages (because she also had major allergies/was neutropenic and bf just seemed easier).

She thrived and gained 2lb a month from memory for her first year, turning into a normal healthy baby in no time.

I told DH about your thread - after your terrible first post at 29 weeks you made it home 5 weeks before we did - completely fantastic Flowers.

Alb1 · 29/05/2017 23:10

grain no one really helped, I was in a side room on the antenatal ward after birth (they're nice enough to not stick mums on post natal when they don't have their babies with them) so it didn't occur to the midwives to help expressing. For the first few days it's just by hand into a syringe, I found it much easier after watching a couple of YouTube videos. With DS I breastfed for 2 days and then switched to formula so expressing has been a steep learning curve. How are you getting on?

Thank you for the lovely comments everyone Smile

OP posts:
Alb1 · 31/03/2018 23:50

It's a year ago now that I started this thread. DD is 1 on Tuesday and she's perfect Smile you wouldn't even no she was premature, she's hitting all milestones perfectly and she's even coming off all medication! She's such a content happy baby aswell, she just loves life. I can't bring myself to read this thread back, still can't believe all we have been through, but we are so incredibly lucky to have a perfectly healthy little girl against all the odds.

I was bathing her and her sibling earlier, both splashing around together laughing and I just wished myself a year ago could have glimpsed that moment. Sometimes things do work out for the best Smile

OP posts:
thisismadness77 · 31/03/2018 23:53

I remember the thread. Lovely update thanks for sharing.

DontbeaDickaboutit · 31/03/2018 23:53

Absolutely magic, congratulations OP and happy birthday to your wee girl Thanks

myrtleWilson · 01/04/2018 00:02

What a lovely lovely update alb1 - I remember your thread from a year ago. Many many celebratory wishes to you and your family

LampHat · 01/04/2018 00:10

This is so lovely I want to cry! Congratulations to you and happy birthday to your DD Cake

Eggyegg · 01/04/2018 00:11

Oh OP - I read your thread with my heart in my mouth,not realising it was a year old!
Happy birthday to your daughter 🎈🎂

UndomesticHousewife · 01/04/2018 00:11

What a lovely outcome. I didn’t read the thread last year but have read it today and so happy for you and your family 💗

PointlessUsername · 01/04/2018 00:12

Oh wow that has gone fast.

Happy Birthday to your dd 🎂

concretesieve · 01/04/2018 00:14

Oh - this is lovely! Many, many congratulations and Many Happy Returns to your DD. Flowers

MiniMum97 · 01/04/2018 00:18

Wow! That's amazing. Many congratulations!

TheABC · 01/04/2018 00:23

Happy birthday little Alb! I am so glad for you all.

AnnieAnoniMouser · 01/04/2018 00:24

What a lovely update, thank you 😊

I’m so happy you’re all doing so well! 💐

Sparkles1992 · 01/04/2018 01:56

This is amazing ThanksThanksEaster SmileEaster Smile

allchangenochange · 01/04/2018 01:59

Was delighted to see this pop up on my feed. Glad it is going so well.

WellThisIsShit · 01/04/2018 02:33

Happy first birthday little one!

How do you feel now? Has the trauma faded? It must have been a hideous thing to go through x

Charliecatpaws · 01/04/2018 02:43

Alb1 I hope all goes well, just want to let you know that I have friends that have given birth weeks earlier than you and their children are totally fine, just your normal run of the mill (annoyingly but wonderful) kids. Sending you (((hugs)))

Charliecatpaws · 01/04/2018 02:46

Aww my bad just realised that this is an old thread so lovely to read your updated x

doleritedinosaur · 01/04/2018 02:55

Aww @Alb1 so happy to see this update.

Happy birthday little one.

Alb1 · 01/04/2018 09:28

Thanks 🙂 wellthis I've had a very hard year, DH thinks it's post natal depression but I've refused to see a doctor, after DD1 being stillborn and then all we went through to have DD2 I just didn't want that diagnosis of all things. But thinks are getting better now that she's bigger and sturdier, she's always been amazing which helps, she's even a relatively good sleeper Smile

OP posts:
MissHemsworth · 01/04/2018 09:35

Thanks to you OP. Sorry if it has been asked before (I haven't RTFT) but have you had the steroid injections to strengthens baby's lungs?

My 31 weeker (3lbs when born as he stopped growing in the womb) is about to turn 7.

PeonyTruffle · 01/04/2018 11:28

Ahhh so lovely! Happy birthday for Thursday little one FlowersFlowers

PeonyTruffle · 01/04/2018 11:29

I mean Tuesday Blush

PissedOffNeighbour · 01/04/2018 11:35

Fantastic news - happy birthday baby Alb1 Easter Smile

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