Questions about self discharge

[ddolly123]

Hi all

I prommed at 32 weeks and was in early labour contracting until 36 weeks. I was pretty much in hospital majority of the time.

She's now 9 days old. At the start she had an infection in her lungs, needed help breathing, blood sugar levels low, severe jaundice and lost weight. Since then she's completed antibiotics, blood levels are good, in a room with me for the last 6 days breathing on her own perfectly fine, feeding going great, jaundice has gone below treatment levels. She had tests done and everything indicated things were fine. She was 5.11lb when she was born.

48 hours ago they reviewed us going home again, he said then she wasn't gaining enough weight and needs to be reviewed again in 48 hours.

Fast forward to today, she's 5.8 pounds, steady weight gain and feeding amount increasing every day. She was 4.9 pounds two days ago.

Sounds like though they want to wait until she's up above her birth weight though and they just keep saying "let's review in 48 hours" "let's make sure it stays steady"

I don't know if I'm being a bit of a crap mum but this is our 9th day in hospital in a small room completly isolated. I don't really know what we are staying in hospital for at the moment? We do everything ourselves the only thing the midwives do is give me paracetamol. He said he wanted to see weight gain and we are seeing it every day. Plus 5.8 pounds is what I would call a good weight surely?

We've said we will happily come and visit every day as an outpatient but we really need some normality as a family.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? And also has anyone self discharged? I don't think we will self discharge as I feel too scared but this is ridiculous. I had a breakdown two days ago as this has been so traumatic from the start of my waters breaking a lot has happened. They have a trauma team on standby for me because I'm struggling so much being here. I just don't see the point! My opinion my baby is thriving and we are doing a great job looking after her.

Would love any story's you guys have?

Thanks

Demi

I know it's tough OP, SCBU is a lonely place, especially in a pandemic - I was there for three weeks! But I would try to push through and wait until the doctors are happy. If you think about it, nine days is not a lot of time to go from really quite poorly (needing help breathing, severe jaundice) to well enough to go home, so I can understand why the doctors want to make sure the progress is maintained.

Once you've been home a few weeks your time in hospital will seem like a blink of the eye.

Sympathies though as I know it's hard xx

I hope you’re home now OP @ddolly123. That all sounds really stressful and tough but you and your baby have done amazingly. Good luck

I really wouldn’t self discharge. Are you sure weight is there only concern? Sometimes they do just want to ensure it’s a trend rather than a one off gain. I’m sure it won’t be much longer.

My premmie was in for 7 weeks but I was able to go home which I think helped. Hope you’re back home soon x