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Premature birth

Connect with others and find premature birth support.

Original poster

Hand hold, feel overwhelmed

19 replies

tigerbread20 · 13/08/2021 07:16

DS made a speedy and unexpected arrival at 34+6 by cat 1 section on Tuesday. He was a good weight at 6lb2 but needed help breathing and went on to cpap, he moved to hi flow yesterday morning and was doing really well but he’s taken a turn overnight and when I came up this morning to see him they had ventilated him and were inserting a chest drain for a collapsed lung.
I feel so overwhelmed sat in a room by myself, waiting for news, wondering if I’ll see my baby again. Has anyone been here and can offer reassurance or even a hand hold until my husband can get here?

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 13/08/2021 07:20

Aww you must be worried sick OP, handhold here. Sounds like your precious little one is getting the best care. Hopefully your husband will be with you soon and you can support each other in the days ahead. Wishing you all the very best. Please update on your baby’s progress.

snoopy8 · 13/08/2021 07:21

Sending you a huge handhold and hoping you get some positive news soon. I haven't been in this position but can imagine how scared you must be feeling. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way.

SwanShaped · 13/08/2021 07:22

Oh my god so stressful. I had two babies in NICU and it was overwhelming and so upsetting. Are you planning to breast feed? Can you start pumping? Also, try to be involved if you can. It might not be possible if he’s ill, but ask when you can start helping with nappy changes and things like that.

MiniMaxi · 13/08/2021 07:24

Not exactly the same situ OP but my son was similarly premature and is now a happy, healthy, nearly 5 year old!

The NICU/SCBU staff know what they are doing and will take great care of him. Hang on in there!

Have a look at the Bliss website for prem baby resources and look at the forum on here for support.

Wjevtvha · 13/08/2021 07:25

Ive been in your position with a premature baby OP; it’s so tough and I hope you get some good news soon. I found that with my baby sometimes we’d go one step forward, 2 steps back then 6 steps forward and a couple of steps back. She was was born at 32 weeks and is now a healthy 4 year old. There’s a Facebook group called parents of preemies support UK which I found very helpful and lots of people with similar experiences to offer hand holds and advice

Vebrithien · 13/08/2021 07:28

Handhold and a hug sent your way.
Was in a similar situation in the first lockdown, when my waters went at 26 weeks.
DS is now protesting loudly at all the nasty teeth that are trying to grow through his gums Confused.
I echo a PP, the NICU staff are totally fabulous.

Does baby have a name? And (apart from the obvious), how are you feeling?

Lotsachocolateplease · 13/08/2021 07:29

Sending you a handhold, some Flowers and a nice cup of Brew
What is your little one called? If you don’t mind saying!
I’ll be thinking of you all

speedyhedgehog · 13/08/2021 07:32

Sorry for the struggles your little one is going through. Hope your dh can join and support you soon. Little one is in the best place to get the help he needs. My triplets were born at 34 4 it was planned so not the same situation but they are healthy happy 15 year olds now. Tallest one is nudging 6 foot and his brother not far behind you would never look at them and guess they were all born 4lb +. Sending love and best wishes to your family xxx

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 13/08/2021 07:37

Ds was born at 32 weeks and had a collapsed lung too. He was 3lbs 9. He was home within 3.5 weeks and is now a 6ft 4 strapping adultSmile

I remember the stress well but he's in the right place and they've seen it all before.

Why are you in a room by yourself, aren't you allowed in the NICU so you can see him? You should be able to pump there for him.

October2020 · 13/08/2021 07:38

You poor thing. I remember the trauma of it all so clearly. Can you see if a nurse will come and sit with you? They became my best supports through our stay. It can feel so bleak and then get so much better in the blink of an eye so please try to keep hope. Big hug xx

NotMaryWhitehouse · 14/08/2021 13:23

How are you all doing @tigerbread20 ?

Moominmama55 · 19/08/2021 21:51

Oh OP, I could have written that post, albeit 18 years ago. DS1 born at 32+2 by emergency section (pre-eclampsia), 1 week in NICU, collapsed and reinflated lung, 4 further weeks in SCBU. Totally empathise. 💐 Felt like the longest time ever whilst he was in there, but now is such a small part of his life. He now has a full beard and towers over me, he has a small scar (now migrated to his armpit) where reinflation tube was inserted, he's quite proud of it! Went on to have 3 more DS's - all full term (vbac, then 2 elective sections). Hang on in there, it will get better, you'll have your little man home with you before you know it.

MindatWork · 19/08/2021 22:02

Hi OP, here with a handhold - my DD was born at 34+4 and spent a week in scbu with breathing issues. She was also on cpap and was v poorly for a while so I totally get your situation. How is he doing now?

It’s such a shock to the system and the feeling of helplessness was horrible Sad. I tried to spend as much time on the neonatal ward as possible and helped with her cares, focused on pumping to get my milk to come in etc (ended up bottle feeding in the end but that’s another story!)

She’s now a strapping almost-3 year-old with not lasting health issues and you’d never know she was poorly as a newborn. Do come back and let us know how you are xxxx

jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey · 19/08/2021 22:05

Dd2 was born at 30 weeks 2lb 13
She is now 24 with no problems.

It's so worrying for you.
What's the little ones name?
You managing to get any rest?

Original poster
tigerbread20 · 19/08/2021 22:14

Sorry I didn’t report back, I read your messages whilst I was waiting for an update and really felt the love so thank you.
He came off the ventilator and had the drain out the next day, sadly it reoccurred and had to have another drain put in and we also found out he’d had a bleed on the brain. It has really been a rough 10 days but he’s now off oxygen and doing so much better so things are moving in the right direction

OP posts:
speedyhedgehog · 20/08/2021 07:02

I'm sorry to hear of the struggles your little one has been going through. I'm glad to hear he seems to be improving now. I have kept thinking about you both and hoping for the best. Hope he will be home with you soon.

NotMaryWhitehouse · 20/08/2021 07:11

Sorry to hear it's been such a hard few days for you all, but very glad to hear things are moving in the right direction, he sounds like a little trooper.

Take care of yourselves and let us know how you he gets on, it feels like a loooooong journey while you're living it, but before you know it you'll be getting ready for him to come home.

SwanShaped · 22/08/2021 00:01

Sounds really really hard for you. Hope things are still getting better for him.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 22/08/2021 00:05

Ds had exactly the same OP and he's absolutely fine, in fact I only just remembered the brain bleed when I read your post, it's really common apparently with prem babies.

I remember the stress,it's horrific. Glad things are on the up now x

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