First baby - waters broke at 25 weeks, told to expect a premature birth

[MrsRose2018]

Hi ladies

I've previously been posting in the pregnancy forum but thought due to my new circumstances I'd post here.

So very long story short my waters have broken/are leaking at 25+4. I've been in hospital since last night, had my steroid injections (omg ouch btw!!) and given prophylactic antibiotics (which I'm not able to stomach it seems). I'm in here till Saturday night!

Just had my proper growth scan and been told I have "plenty of fluids for now" but that this will eventually run out. I know baby can trundle along happily without his fluids but it's now a matter of preventing infection and hoping he doesn't decide he wants out now - which according to my scans doesn't seem like he does

I have been told to prepare for a premature baby and that 34 weeks is the goal for induction but it COULD be any day and every day counts from now!

This is our first baby and I have NO IDEA what to expect! Are there any good books or research on premature baby's? How do I need to change my game plan? What do I need to buy to prepare for a preme baby? Can I/do I bank my breast milk?

Any and all advice appreciated xx

How are you doing today @MrsRose2018? Thought I’d bump this for you. My DD was born at 29+1 a few years ago, I didn’t do much research before hand (different situation, we didn’t think she’d make it due to a heart condition) but I did request to visit the neonatal ward and that helped as I couldn’t visit her straight away when she was born so it was nice to have a mental image of were she was.

I did buy her a blanket and a teddy though before she was born as I felt she just needed to have her own stuff. My advice is just take it day by day, things can happen so quickly so aim for 34 weeks but don’t expect it, every extra day is a huge bonus so try and be positive if you can. Expressing milk as soon as the baby’s born is great and so helpful but don’t put too much pressure on yourself. DD turned 3 last week and she’s perfectly healthy despite a rough start, you’d never no she was premature now, the doctors were amazing at anticipating problems before they happened once she was born, I felt so safe with them, hopefully it’s the same for you were abouts in the country are you?

Hi OP. I have a 29 weekend too. She's just turned 7 and currently bouncing on the trampoline with a big sister.

It's scary. I wouldn't buy anything as such but maybe research where to get stuff. You can buy micro nappies (you will need to supply your own in neonatal unit) in most supermarkets. Don't worry about clothes etc.

I'd ask if you will need to move hospitals. It depends on the level of neonatal unit at your current one. I was lucky enough to be at a hospital that could take a micro preemie (she was 980g) but the day they decided to get her out, they had no room for her! Be prepared to have to move. So have a bag packed and stuff ready. Get your partner to do the same.

Good luck

I have a 26 weeker. He’s now 3. Every week from this point onwards increases the viability of the baby. So 29 weekers tend to do much better than 26 weekers and so on. Don’t express milk as it might stimulate labour. You won’t need anything at first.
Go to the Bliss website. They have a lot of details there.
Also come join us on the Parents of Preemies UK group. Lots of v knowledgeable women who have been through this.

Hi ladies

Home now after my 72 hours of observation!

I honestly don’t know if I’m just paddling down the river of denial or if these pregnancy hormones have given me a personality change! Waters have gone/are going and I’m obviously very worried that I’m going to have to deliver early but I can’t change what’s going on so I’m trying to just be as chill as possible. I’ve had steroid injections in my arse (which are the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced (so far) and antibiotics to try prevent an infection - which are making me really poorly but otherwise I’m in surprisingly good spirits!

First (and only) vaginal showed that whilst my waters have gone the cervix is still fully closed so provided he doesn’t decide to make a move or I don’t get an infection we can try and carry on as long as possible with a view to induce at 34 weeks!

Growth scan showed he has little legs (im only just over 5ft so I wasn't expecting a giant) but sonohrapher said that femur size is actually "normal" because his head and tummy are actually a bit ahead - about a week and a half which considering he’s gonna be a preme is a good thing!!

I’m 25 weeks to the day now and in the hospital twice a week every week until he is born now which, infection risk aside, is very reassuring!

My white count is high due to the steroids and my immune system suppressed so I’m not even allowed outside due to infection risk! Im bring released home today but it’s girl in a plastic bubble for me for the foreseeable! Same goes for DH as if I get an infection bub’s straight out no waiting!! My scan also shows he hasn't descended and is still "high up" so I don't think he is going to make a break for it just yet!

Hoping to get some info/“counselling” from the NICU staff later next week so we can get a sense of what to do/expect with a preme baby and get advice about pumping/harvesting colostrum so it’s ready should he make an surprise arrivals!

xx

Hi @MrsRose2018, that’s great that you’ve been sent home for now. My dc3 was born at 25weeks, emergency section. We didn’t have time for the steroids etc but she is thriving now so it can be ok even this early.

I’m trying to think of what we needed over the first few months in hospital. Obviously we didn’t get time to plan in advance but if we had I think the key stuff would be:

Get your friends and family on board to help. Might be harder with Coronavirus around though. I had a team from my church to deliver food, drive me to/from the hospital and watch our other kids. Your baby could be in hospital until their due date so plan accordingly. I found it helpful to have one friend as a gate-keeper for offers of help and visits etc so I didn’t have to deal with everyone myself when I was stressed.

You will need to express (if you want to bf, which is highly recommended for preemies). The hospital might supply a machine for home but you can check at your next appointment. If not, consider hiring a hospital grade machine, well worth the expense. Also an expressing bra made my life much simpler, or you can just cut holes in an old bra. At first your baby will only take a few ml so don’t worry about amount of supply. Make space in your freezer for extra bottles if your baby is very small, as you will have enough milk for a full term baby.

Home made snack bags were my lifeline. Nuts, dried fruit, chocolate etc. Also a small cool bag for transporting your milk. Clothes that you can do kangaroo care in easily, dresses with cross over fronts worked best for me.

We didn’t need any nappies, and they don’t wear clothes until they’re about 4lb. Hospital supplied clothes anyway as the home ones can get lost.

If you knit or know any knitters, find out about knitting your baby hats. The different hospitals we were in had different rules about soft toys etc but both allowed hand knitted hats which was a nice touch. Check with the hospital before buying preemie teddies/octopuses etc.

Hope it all goes well. Pop back for advice if you think of anything we might be able to help with.

I had my baby at 35 weeks I just wanted to say about the steroid injections, what a killer!!! I swear labour is less painful! Hope it all goes well for you x

@MrsRose2018 how are you getting on?

Hi @Alb1 nice of you to ask :)

I'm doing fine so far! At 27 weeks now with no sign of infection or the baby making his Own exit strategy!

Just trudging through the confusion of whether to go for a planned c section or an induction/vaginal birth atm...

For every pro their is a con and vice versa!

Got a meeting with our consultant next week and I'm trying myself in knots x

Hey @MrsRose2018, I was wondering how things are going?