34+5 preemie, handhold please!

[MindatWork]

Hi all,

My DD was born by csection on sat after I went into labour at 34+5. She was breech but well on her way so I only had time for one steroid injection before she came.

She was 6lb so a good weight but she’s in the neonatal unit for her breathing and I’m really struggling with not having her with me 😢.

I’ve had lots of cuddles and skin to skin and have been hand expressing colostrum, just waiting for a pump now so I can get cracking properly as I think my milks coming in.

Any advice or hand holding much appreciated!!! I know my hormones are all over the place but I’m so weepy and dont know what to do with myself 😞

Congratulations!
My best friend had her second baby a month ago at 31+5, 4lbs. They spent 3 weeks in NICU but are home now and settling in, BF-ing going well. She found the hardest part was leaving her DD overnight (she was discharged after 24 hours so couldn’t stay at the hospital).
Hopefully it won’t be long before you have your baby home with you

Ds was 5-7 at 35 weeks, dropped to 4-12 on the day we went home!
Take care of YOU is what I would say, try and relax, book /mags /shower +clean pj's is lovely! Hand cream! Make up make you feel a bit more you (if you wear it usually!)
Congratulations on your tiny baby!

My son was born at 34+5 as well and was a lazy breather and feeder. He was 5lb10 born but dropped to 5lb5. We were in hospital for 2 weeks and they were some difficult times, he never took to breast feeding after being tube fed, then bottle fed breast milk, so I expressed and fed him for 6 weeks until my supply dried up, but he is now a 6ft2, 19 year old who had no problems catching up, sailed through school and has just completed and passed his 6 month probation with an IT company and now earns more money than me!

Thank you for the speedy responses - yes night time is the hardest, esp as I can hear all the other babies on the postnatal ward (thankfully it’s all private rooms but can hear them through the walls).

I just feel like a bit of a spare part - all the other mums have midwives going in and out and checking on their babies and I’m sat here like a lemon waiting for a spare breast pump. The care has been brilliant so I can’t complain, it’s just the situation that sucks.

DH has had to do a couple of work handover bits this morning but my mum is coming in shortly so hopefully won’t feel so miserable once I’ve got some company.

Hope your DS is ok now Santa

Ds is 4 and finally in the correct age clothes!!
Asda prem clothes are amazing btw!!
Dh is 6'4 so anticipating a big baby we had zero to fit!

Congratulations on your baby!
DS born 34 weeks, 5 pound. Also in NICU for breathing. Just had his check up today, in 98th centile for height& weight, thriving, meeting all developmental milestones.
Just remember crying/weeping is normal, it's HARD being separated from your newborn, you are doing everything you can for her, she has a mother who loves her so she too will thrive!

Thank you for all your comments, they were really helpful to read through (especially when weepy in the small hours of the morning!)

She is doing so much better today, we actually managed to breastfeed a bit this evening!!! I’m keeping everything crossed she can come up with me to postnatal tomorrow and then if the consultants are happy we can go home by the end of the week 😁😁😁

Ah that’s great. Sounds like she’s doing brilliantly and will be fine.
DD was 34+0 and was under 5lb, 6lb is a fab weight, and it’s great your milk is coming in too. Once you are pumping you could ask if you can use a mobile pump by your DD’s cot so you can be with her more.
My two tips:
Do get rest while still in hospital as it will be hard work once you get home (like any newborn but you get an even longer newborn period... plus they tend to have trickier tummies)
Don’t be in too much of a hurry to leave, especially if BF as it can be very worrying if they don’t feed or gain well at home, wait till she’s definitely feeding well.
Congratulations

Just wanted to give s bit of an update as I really appreciated all your comments.

Dd came home at 7 days old - she’s now 23 days old, back over her birth weight, breastfeeding and discharged by the midwife! The last 3 weeks have literally been the hardest of our lives (everyone tells you but there’s no way of really preparing) and she doesn’t really sleep at night, but we’re so in love with her .

Thanks again for the support 💪🏻 X