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Premature birth

Connect with others and find premature birth support.

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Original poster

Premature Baby 31 Weeks

72 replies

anxiousdad20 · 25/08/2020 00:22

Hi all, I’ve actually just signed up to this site specifically for this and was wondering if anyone could give me any advice, reassurance.
DW has just given birth at 31 weeks, this was unexpected. She had a low lying placenta which was picked up at the 20 week scan. Placenta previa. In most cases this isn’t a problem and the placenta moves. We were given a scan date for week 32, we didn’t get that far.
Basically in the last three weeks, DW was getting some bleeds. She called the midwife team and went to the hospital. On each occasion, she was sent home, and told to monitor it. Nothing to really worry about as baby was ok and bleed had stopped.
Fast forward to yesterday and she has a bigger bleed at home. I rush her into hospital, the bleed continues. The doctors say that she must have the baby there and then, there’s no alternative.
So baby was born and took straight into the special care baby unit. Doing ok, and not put on a ventilation unit. Positive so far.
After having a normal first pregnancy with no issues, this came as real challenge.
Hospital have been lovely though.
Obviously I’m very worried and anxious about baby being born this early, although appreciate there wasn’t an alternative.
Has anyone got any positive experiences of premature babies?
I’m at my wits end and feel totally out of control. DW is doing ok and still in hospital.
Thank you for reading.

OP posts:

Original poster

anxiousdad20 · 30/08/2020 00:51

The RSV vaccine- no one has mentioned this at all in hospital. Does this mean we aren’t entitled to it, or maybe they don’t think it’s necessary? I honestly haven’t heard of it before, I had to google it.

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Original poster

anxiousdad20 · 30/08/2020 00:55

I should add that baby is a week old, was on oxygen for a few days but not a ventilator. Baby was moved from the High dependency unit after 3 days, into a incubator. Not on a drip anymore and fed with DWs milk.
Baby is also going to the toilet, DW did a nappy change today. Also crying and moving. I’m hoping this is all good.

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HuaShan · 31/08/2020 12:08

Dropping in for another positive story. DS born at 31 weeks and v poorly, ventilated, blood transfusions. He is now 18, 6 foot, a cross country runner and is about to start at Oxford University .

Be kind to yourself, it's an emotional roller coaster. Very best wishes to your family.

MrsPear · 31/08/2020 12:23

Congratulations! All seems very positive. Both mine were early - 30 and 31 weeks. Both healthy now. The eldest and earliest one has hearing loss but that was probably due to an infection. The youngest has ‘asthma’ as a legacy of the ventilator. But tbh we are rarely at the doctors. Both in mainstream and are on par with their peers.
The next few weeks will go slow but baby will be home soon. It’s all about weight gain, being able to stay warm and being able to feed. Once those boxes are ticked baby will be home. Lots of cuddles and support for your wife to express milk. It’s not nice being woken by an alarm clock in the middle of the night to express but it really does help with supply.
One last thing even when home do not compare babies! Up and until 2 your baby will have a due date and a birth date. Development and size will be corrected to due date. Medical stuff eg vaccinations will be given according to birth date.
Good luck

peajotter · 31/08/2020 19:40

@anxiousdad20 that all sounds excellent. It will seem like a long few weeks but as pp said it’s just waiting to grow and learn to feed. Good on your dw for feeding her with mums milk, that will make a big difference.

I’m sure it’s scary for you at the moment but the doctors and nurses see hundreds of premature babies a year and are experts in what is needed. Take care of yourself and your wife and they will let you know what is best for your little one.

(And please please don’t worry about rsv antibody injections, there is no vaccination. You won’t be entitled to the antibodies because the risk is very small for a thriving 31 weeker, especially this year with social distancing.)

Original poster

anxiousdad20 · 31/08/2020 22:17

Hi People, just checking on my thread.
DW safely at home and we’re spending three hours a day with baby. We also want to give our time to our other little one too.
The RSV jab isn’t routinely given to prem babies unless it’s necessary, and generally in the winter anyway.

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Lou573 · 31/08/2020 22:27

I think at our hospital the criteria was for RSV jabs to be allocated where a baby has been on oxygen at 36 weeks. My baby was born in August and was injected monthly between October to March if I recall correctly.

Original poster

anxiousdad20 · 01/09/2020 22:35

So still taking each day as it comes. I’m aware there are actually a few similar threads to this on Mumsnet.
I did read that babies born before 32 weeks are at higher risk of cerebral palsy, although the staff at the hospital have never mentioned this ( probably didn’t want to worry us). But there are positive stories on here so that’s good to hear.

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Salina2 · 03/09/2020 07:14

@anxiousdad20 first of all congratulations on your baby and glad to hear your DW is home and recovering. My son who is a thriving 2 year old now was born at 26 weeks, my labour was also a big surprise and all of a sudden. Me and my husband were very scared and anxious also (it's natural) our DS was ventilated, then moved onto CPAP for a long time, had numerous brain scans, heart scans (eco) he had a heart murmur which healed itself over time, had numerous eye tests to make sure he didn't need surgery. Came of CPAP to low flow oxygen and started bottle feeding which was exciting, we spent a total 102 days in hospital and was finally allowed to come home on home oxygen for DS, he had really bad reflux and was on a few different medicines to manage him.... was on home oxygen for over a year.... he is now just over 2 and you would never know his journey or story looking at him.... premature babies are resilient, strong and so smart! Your DS is going to be too... give lots of cuddles (kangaroo care) we did and it really helps with babies development and growth.... good luck and stay positive, hope me sharing my journey will help you with your journey

Original poster

anxiousdad20 · 03/09/2020 20:41

Salina2- thank you for sharing your story and I’m very pleased about your little one after such a difficult beginning. I certainly think that babies are resilient. I’ve been to see this this evening and he’s taking some of his milk through a bottle.

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Salina2 · 05/09/2020 06:59

@anxiousdad20 that's amazing, so glad to hear that

Original poster

anxiousdad20 · 05/09/2020 21:40

Thanks again Salina2- baby is two weeks old now, doing ok I think. Just hope baby grows and puts weight on and that all will be ok in the end..

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Salina2 · 09/09/2020 12:45

@anxiousdad20 sounds like baby is doing well, which is amazing news... baby will put weight on gradually and before you know it you will be able to go home

Hearwego · 09/09/2020 22:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

anxiousdad20 · 14/09/2020 23:51

Salina2, thanks again. Baby is doing well and off a tube now too.

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Original poster

anxiousdad20 · 01/10/2020 20:21

Hello everyone just a update.Been a very tough time recently but our baby born at 31 weeks was discharged from hospital at 35 weeks plus 2 gestation. Baby has been home for over a week now after spending 31 days in the SCBU.
Still a few weeks away from the due date but home and gaining weight.
The hospital really were great and a nurse comes out to us every week to check on our baby, this is normal for prem babies. A fairly new service apparently.
The NHS don’t get everything right but they really were wonderful for us.
Thanks again for your replies, it’s been very helpful to read your comments.
Love to you all, Jamie, Kent.

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gubbbbbddaaaa · 01/10/2020 20:37

My son was born at 33 weeks , my experience is some make it unscathed and some don't but most do .. I watched many babies came and went while we stayed in and my son aspirated but babies are very resilient and I've heard so many stories of babies doing just fine after being born so early .. stay strong you have a long road ahead of you as babies usually go home around their actual due date so he will probably be in scbu for a good 6 weeks . Good luck

PinkJam · 01/10/2020 22:21

@anxiousdad20 That’s wonderful news that your Baby is home with you wish you all the best.

SEW1980 · 11/10/2020 20:40

My son was born at 33 weeks due to pre eclampsia. He was taken to neonatal but didn't need any ventilation or anything. He weighed 4lb 1oz. He is now 7 weeks old and thriving. He has nearly doubled his weight. It is my first baby after 2 miscarriages. It was a very scary experience but thankfully it all turned out for the best. You will be totally fine. 😊

Heartofglass12345 · 15/10/2020 01:11

That's amazing news I'm so glad he is home where he belongs

Doubleyikes · 17/10/2020 22:41

Such fabulous news. So happy for you all. Your little ones birth weight along with hospital time line and what care was needed sounds very similar to my DGD who was born at 32 weeks and weighed 3lbs 2.

NervousInYorkshire · 18/10/2020 11:30

Sorry I didn't see your update sooner @anxiousdad20
Congrats and love to all of you

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