Cassana - posted on 11/10/2009 ( 23 moms have responded )
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Hello ladies, I recently came accross a very difficult situation regarding prematurity prior to 24 weeks. I live in the UK and it appears that different hospitals have different "guidelines" as to when they will intervine to save a baby's life. I went into hospital at 22 weeks with Pre-PROM and they wouldn't do anything, not even give me antibiotics to try and prolong the onset of labour. I then went back at 23 weeks and demanded atibiotics (which has been proven to delay labour after Pre-PROM by up to 4 weeks). at 23 weeks and 2 days I returned again with contractions every 25/30mins. The midwife was not compassionate and was extremely rude. I was told to come back if they got closer together and that they wouldn't help the baby if she was born at this point. I was off course completely mortified by the fact that had I been a matter of days on they would have intervened. The midwife actually said " Its just natures way of saying baby shouldn't be here" which as a mum of a pre term baby already was the most horrific thing to hear. I left the hospital thinking that I was going to be left with no help and this idea mortified me. I have the fortunate advantage of having an auntie who is a neonatal consultant so immediately I called her. She said to get to a 'level 3 hospital' as soon as possible, and to call their neonatal unit prior to leaving to hear what they're policy was. we did and they said that if baby was born now and looked strong enough to cope with the necessary treatment that they would intervine and try their best to save her life. I went their and immediately I was seen by neonatal doctors and I was seen by the consultants too. The treatment was fantastic and I suddenly felt reassured and that I was genuinely being looked after. they gave me steroids 24 hours later and I was put on a drip to slow my contractions too. fortunately for me I didn't dialate and kept her in for a further 4 weeks until I was 27 weeks and 3 days (baby is now nearly 2 weeks old in the intensive care unit). I had an awfull 4 weeks of full contractions but I was happy I managed that long. Anyway... I was so mortified by the fact of a few days can make all the difference to a baby's survival and its clear that something needs to be done to re-look at this policy. I just wanted to know if anyone had had their babies prior to 24 weeks and how they are now if they were offered support and if you were denied help for your baby and you feel happy sharing then how you were left feeling. My heart truly goes out to anyone who was not helped in this situation as it appears that if people knew other hospitals helped then this would be a lesser occurance. If you are happy to share then please do, and maybe between us all we can think of ways to make some awareness of this situation.
xxxxxx
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