NICU newbie (had son at 33w 5days)

[krabigirl]

Hi - I just wanted to introduce myself. I had my son, William, on Tuesday morning at 33 weeks, 5 days. It was due to pPROM.

My daughter was a week overdue, so this was a complete shock to me. The labor was very fast. In triage, they tried to stop contractions with Terbuline, but it didn't work. I was 4 cm and 100% effaced. I was sent to R&D, sadly, during the morning shift change.

I ended up getting an epi (sorry to say), but they did not realize that I was already 10cm and he was crowning! So, I had the epi for pushing, which took about 15 minutes (about two times maybe?) It was very scary, because my husband had to drive our DD down to my parents' house 30 minutes away. They had just returned from Greece and had taken Lunestra for sleep 6 hours prior, so couldn't drive since it hadn't worn off completely. I had to labor alone (no nurse as it was shift change), until he got back.

Anyway, he's been in the NICU since, and is doing good so far. He was in the intensive bed until yesterday, and is now in an isolette. He has been taken off oxygen and they just started feeding him my breastmilk via gavage. I have been able to hold him three times, which has been super hard. It's also hard because I can't get down to the NICU very often. I am a WAHM, and DD can't go to the NICU at her age of 21 months.

I am so glad for this forum. I hope William will be home soon.

[fairejour]

I hate to say welocme, because nobody wants to end up here. There are lots of great ladies here who have been through your situation and will have great advice. Congratulations on the birth of your beuatiful baby!

-Melissa Jensen

Mom to Miss Kat- 5, bilateral progressive loss, just became severe-profound (will be implanted 10-10-08 with a right side AB, activation 11-17-08)

http://misskatsmom.blogspot.com/

[skylarsmama]

Welcome and congrats on the birth of your son There is a lot of good info in this forum. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions (you will have lots of questions). Hopefully your nicu stay is short and uneventful.

[Amys1st]

Welcome!Congrats on the baby, I am sure he is super cute. :

But, being so new you have ?s and maybe your head is still spinning. Ask away!

[sparklett]

My goodness, what a shock! Welcome and congratulations on making it through what sounds like a very difficult situation. It's great that your L/O is doing so well!! Please keep us posted on his progress, and feel free to ask questions or rant!

[pauletoy]

Sorry you have to be here. I had DS at 33 weeks on 7/17/08. He was in the NiCU 2 weeks. We still have a few problems with bfding and severe reflux but he is doing well.

Hope your little one's stay is short. Best wishes.

[momoftinyhayden]

As the other moms have said, we hate to say welcome, but this is a great place for support, answers to questions, and even when you just need to vent. My son was born at 30 weeks on 5/19/08. He spent 2 and a half months in the NICU.

When you get to hold your little one it's bitter sweet. You are grateful he's doing well enough so you can hold him but at the same time you just want to take him home.

[krabigirl]

Thanks for all of your replies. He is doing better, except for the feeding issues I mentioned in another thread.

He's still in an isolette, but has been moved to the feeder/grower room, but isn't interested in the bottle or breast yet. I am able to hold him every time I come in, as long as the feeding is over or hasn't yet started. Since he's been vomiting, they don't want to jostle him until he's been better (I think he has reflux...). I was able to hold him for over an hour tonight, and it was great!

[UberMama]

Congrats, Mama!

My boys were born at 33w. They were in NICU for 22 days solely for the feeding issue as well.

As we were told numerous times, it's like one day the lightbulb turns on and they just get it (suck/swallow reflex). It's soooooo true.

{{HUGS}}