Handhold please - 28+6.

[NewYearsEveWedding]

Previous history - DD born at 32 weeks in 2015 due to waters breaking. No cause found. Now healthy 5 year old.

Currently 28+6 with DS. Yesterday I went in to be monitored as baby had a quiet day. The monitor picked up tightenings in my stomach. Cervical length was measured again, and has dropped to 2cm, from 3.5cm 3 weeks ago. Suddenly told that this could be the start of things again. I'm sure these "tightenings" have been felt a couple of weeks ago even. I thought it was baby moving high up.

I live in the Channel Islands, so have been told to prepare for medical plane transfer to Southampton hospital. DH will have to stay here until we know what's going, looking after DD. The prospect of giving birth alone, and leaving my home, it's horrible.

I've just dropped DD at school and now need to start packing an emergency suitcase. I can't think straight, I'm so frightened.

Well done, sleep welll

Good luck OP.....keep going, this is all great news

Today I’m 29+4. Fingers crossed it carries on for a bit longer.

Yesterday I was able to see the neonatal units, just from the doors. I had mixed emotions - it brought a lot back from my daughter’s stay in 2015, and the prospect of another stay fills me with dread. Especially going through some of it alone. But I do feel comfort that they’re ready, and just up the corridor.

Thanks for everyone’s support.

Glad you got to have a little look? It's best to be familiar, I suppose, but it's always daunting when you've been there before.

Hope things are peaceful with you.

That's great news OP.....nearly another week under your belt!
Have the doctors said anything about timescales? Will you stay there now?
I hope you're managing to rest, take care

Update from here is thankfully no baby still. Today I’m 29+5. Tightenings were picked up this morning on the monitor, but the midwives don’t seem overly concerned. I feel very anxious though. I feel constantly on edge, wondering if this ache/pain/discharge is a sign of labour. I’m finding that hard to manage.

No idea on timescales. The scan tomorrow will measure cervical length and show how it’s going. Should know more then. Thanks everyone.

You’ve made it nearly a week since your first post. Fingers crossed you get another few days, if not more.

How are you passing your time? No wonder you’re feeling anxious, it must be so hard to distract yourself in hospital.

29+6. I’m grateful for each day that he’s still inside.

I’m doing puzzle books and watching so much rubbish on my iPad.

My anxiety keeps going up, it was very bad in the night last night.

OP! That's amazing news, another week under your belt, well done!
As someone else said, I'm not surprised you're anxious with little to keep you occupied. Did your sister manage to visit?
Good luck!

Well done Op. You have done brilliantly to keep going for another week. It must be really hard but you are coping. As you say - every day is a cause for celebration.

30 weeks today, and baby still inside for now.

I had a scan yesterday and cervical length has increased by nearly 1cm, which is really great.

I’m struggling with my anxiety, I was very tearful yesterday. I feel constantly on edge, and found it very hard to cope. Hoping for a calmer day today.

Thank you for your support.

Are they able to help with the anxiety? I'm sure there must be a pregnancy counsellor who can visit you in the ward to have a chat.
They do actually have a fab team of counsellors based at QA. It might be worth seeing if someone can put you in touch.

www.porthosp.nhs.uk/departments-and-services/aquilis-counselling/96494

Or you could see if Bliss have representatives who come in:

www.bliss.org.uk/parents/support/emotional-support

Well done op and baby! It must still seem like a long road ahead though. Are you able to have any visitors? It must be such a long day

Thank you everyone.

After PND and anxiety after the birth of DD, I’m finely tuned with my mental health, and happy to look and ask for help. Thank you @leafeater, I will be looking into those resources.

30+1, baby still inside. Tomorrow my parents and sister are visiting from 4 hours away, and I’m allowed out with them for a couple of hours. Really excited to see my parents as I haven’t seen them for over 7 months.

It’s been 9 nights since I’ve seen DD. That’s the hardest part for me, I’m a SAHM, so do all school drop offs, pick ups, classes. I miss her so much, and have found this very hard. But if things carry on as they are (not sure how likely) I’ll be transferred back to Guernsey after 32 weeks ish. So it could be in 2 weeks time. Trying to focus on that.

Thanks everyone.

That’s really good news. You are doing amazing. It must be really hard being away from everyone, you should be really proud of yourself.

30+3. Things are hopefully going the same here. I spent 6 hours with my parents and sister yesterday. We walked along the seafront and ate lunch on the beach. Was great to see them and feel a bit more normal.

That sounds perfect, you had lovely weather to watch the ferries coming and going.

Hope you are feeling a little less anxious today. Will they let you go at 32 weeks? I'm not sure what the provision is in the CI re neo natal spaces.

Glad you had a good day. Keep on doing what you are - it's working !

My friend had twins at 30 weeks - they’re 4 months old now and doing great after 4 weeks of NICU

Glad you got to see your family. That must have given you a boost. And being out in the fresh air.
Hang on in there baby, just for a few more weeks

I hope you are still doing ok @NewYearsEveWedding and that the baby is still inside.

My waters went early with my first and he was born at 32 weeks. I also had tightenings with my second and had steroid injections at 32 weeks as they thought number 2 would also arrive then. She actually stayed in place until 34+6 when I had a c-section (I also have diabetes so they decided they needed to deliver ASAP as a result of that). She didn’t have to go to NICU - we were just in hospital for a while together.

So great that you are able to see your family. I wasn’t in hospital at any one time for such a long stretch as you, but wasn’t allowed any visitors at all. It’s tough being away from other children but hopefully you’re able to video call etc? I hope your DH is ok - mine found the feeling of being unable to do anything helpful very difficult.

Thanks for your support everyone.

30+5 today. The monitor picked up the odd “tightening“ this morning. It could just have been the baby’s back pressing against it, and they don’t seem overly concerned, but I do feel worried.

It’s really hard to mentally prepare for a possible transfer back to Guernsey around 32 weeks, and also prepare for labour to start any minute. My mindset this morning was “better shower now in case it all kicks off today”.
Fingers crossed nothing happens.

Oh he's hunkering down well
Isn't he!

Sounds like a nice day with your parents & sister. Did they mention coming back down? Would they consider staying overnight? Hotels should be plentiful & cheap!

I was 4 when my mum (also SAHM) stayed in hospital when my brother was due (I think 2-3 weeks) I stayed with my Nana & I barely remember it, except for my Dad coming to tell me I had a baby brother!

How is DH doing?