Cari - posted on 01/08/2010 ( 2 moms have responded )
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My baby boy was 2 lbs 4oz at 28 weeks gestation. We went through PDA surgery, 5 weeks on the ventilator, a severe Staph Infection, and he is now home and on oxygen.
How are you dealing with traveling with the monitors, cords, and tank, as well as being cooped up inside in one general area? Any advice to keep me sane?
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Cari - posted on 01/09/2010
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You are soo right about moving him to the living room. That has helped me some, but I'm having trouble traveling. It's crazy stressful! Thanks for the advice.
Emilie - posted on 01/09/2010
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My son was on oxygen when he came home. He was born at 26 weeks weighing 2 pounds. He didn't really get sick (but we did have PDA ligation and all the other typical things), but he just couldn't keep his sats up without airflow to keep his airway open. With caffeine, we managed to go home on oxygen during feedings and as-needed, so we weren't confined to any particular area within the house. We did have to take the monitor and tanks with us everywhere. When I showed up at an old friend's house with my equipment, she said that her twins and other 2 children were easier than my one little guy. Looking back, I have to agree. I didn't realize how much work it all was until it was over (lucky for me, eh?).
Anyway, get a big enough stroller that everything fits. With a full size stroller and some creative packing, I managed to get the monitor, travel tank, and small diaper bag in the stroller basket. That made walks in the park and other activities easier.
For in the house, try to make sure that wherever you want to spend most of your time is in your accessible area. If you planned a nursery on the other side of the house, maybe think about moving the stuff to the living or dining room. If that isn't an option, ask about a second big tank to set up another area. I needed a comfy chair, the phone, my breastpump, some books, a computer, and a TV to be in my "green zone" where it was easy to be (i.e. I had all the wires and tanks and everything nearby and out of the way). I moved an end table to be near the changing table so I could set down the monitor there. For me, having the wires towards his feet was easiest, but, as I said, I didn't have the nasal canula on all the time.
Hope this helps. It does get easier.
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