Need some advice and encouragement....

Staci - posted on 09/11/2009

wow I can't imagine how scared you must have been. My family and husband were there and I was still petrified. I agree with Julie, maybe you should see about getting her transferred closer to where you live. Right now though I would just take it one day at a time and try to focus on the positives. She's already off the respirator so that is a good sign,

Ronda - posted on 09/11/2009

Wow, This was like reading my "story" all over again. I too, was away from home when i delivered ( although mine was a Emergency Helicopter Ride out of town) too, so I know what you're going through. My son was born 8 1/2 weeks early, and weighed only 3 lbs., 15 oz. His lungs were very badly un-developed, and was on feeding tubes, and breathing monitors. My husband lost his job (due to being out of town @ the hospital with our son and myself.), and quite frankly, we had no money to eat, nor find a room somewhere. We were able to get a room through the McDonald house by checking with the hospital's human resources. They gave us a room, as well as food vouchers, so you could eat daily. They also told us that he would have to stay more than likely the whole 8 1/2 weeks, to full term. Im proud to say, he was only in the hospital 13 days! I think it's completely your decision, but the way I saw it when I was in your situation was this...

Stay in the hopsital where he was born, the doctors were familiar with, and the staff was very knowledgeable. I just wanted to also point out....My son is now 13, and is a straight A student (the doc's said he would be slower..., he is the running back for his junior high football team, and excels in everything he has ever tried! Just a little bit of encouragement for you, since you're probably as confused now, as I was then! And ps...CONGRATS!!

Katie - posted on 09/11/2009

wow, what a story. Best wishes to you all. I shall say some prayers.

Tanya - posted on 09/10/2009

i too had an abruption with my first child and had an emergency c-section. he was on a feeding tube, breathing tube, and also had jondus. i was told he would be in the NICU for 6 weeks and he only spent 7 days. babies are so amazing and strong. you need to stay positive for your baby. hang in there.
tanya

Liz - posted on 09/10/2009

Keep your chin up. One of the most important things is to be strong for your baby. My twins were born six weeks early when my daughter decided enough was enough. She was born at three pounds 12 ounces, and my son was born at 4 pounds 10 ounces. My son was also born with underdeveloped lungs. I know how scary it is seeing them hooked up to all those machines.

Also another important thing is, don't listen to them when they tell you your baby will come home. There were a few times they told me my twins would be able to come home, but that time went and passed and they weren't able to come home at that time.

my son came home after eight days, and now you can never tell he had undeveloped lungs. My daughter came home after 12 days because she had weight gain problems, and had to be on special formula for about a week after she got home. If you need to talk with anyone you can message me if you'd like.

Now at 15 months old ( 13 and half months corrected) my son has already taken his first steps, hopefully will be walking in the next few months. My daughter is a little behind her brother ( due partially to the fact it wasn't until she was 10 months old that we found out she needed glasses). She's crawling and starting to pull herself up on things.

Laura - posted on 09/06/2009

My youngest was born 6 weeks early because my water broke unexpectedly. He was in the NICU for only 2 weeks because of feeding and beliruben also, they also thought they were going to keep him for the full 6 weeks but he was totally better and ready to come home at 2 weeks hold. He was on a CPAP breating machine for 5 days, so hold your head high and visit her as much as possible.

Wendi - posted on 09/06/2009

Oh I am so sorry I am glad she is doing better each day and I know very well about the feeding issue as we went through it with my 2nd one. Hopefully they could transfer her home if the hospital you were going to deliever at has a good NICU floor. I will you keep you in my daily prayers that she gets stronger every day. Good Luck

Lindsay - posted on 09/04/2009

I was also out of town when my daughter was born prematurely. I was only 27 weeks and went into preterm labor. I totally understand how you are feeling!!! We decided to keep her in the same NICU for her entire time, but our insurance wanted to transport her back to our original hopsital 700 miles away. There are free services you can look into that will transport your baby back to chicago as soon as she is stabe enough. Look into Air Care Alliance...they transport free!

Jenniffer - posted on 09/04/2009

I so remember how scary this is I live in a very small town and my son was born at 31 weeks he was big thank god but lost weight under 3 lbs we were told time and time agaiin when i went to the hspital in my small town they could fly me to the city yes I wasnted them to but every time they got me ready somthing happend and they had to sabilize me again I had him inthe small town and then I could have sent him to the city but they didnt think he was going to live so I had the choice to keep him here and spend time with him or send him and hope to make his life last a little longer. I chose to keep him here with me and his dad and sister. His lungs collapsed and he had so many issues. They flew a doc from the city to were we were and I have to say against everything he lived. Now 6 years later its so unreall like it never happend. I still have bad dreams but its like life goes on and every one forgets what I went through. I wish you the best and as long as your baby is improving the rest will fall in place. The stuff that comes later in life with your child will seem like nothing to you in your heart after you have lived through this. You have a computer look everything up. There is so much more that can come in the years to come just get to know everything you can. I will pray for you and your family hopfully you all can be togeather soon.

Natasha - posted on 09/03/2009

Oh my, I'm so sorry to hear that you are away from your family. But I am very glad to hear your daughter is doing well. Just keep your head up new Mom, as hard as it seems right now it will all get better! You and your family will be in my prayers.

Shannon - posted on 09/02/2009

i am so sorry for all of this and can only imagine how hard this is for you being away from your family and all... the doctors may think about transfering her to another hospital when she is more stable but it's hard because things can change at anytime!! I was holding my 10day old baby with not a care in the world when she was rushed into surgery for a perferated bowel and had showed no signs of it... so just try to be strong for your little one...she needs you and your love and concentration right now... just try to take one day at a time... my duaghter just turned a year and i never thought that day would come. (She was born at 28 weeks and 1 pound 14 ozs)

Lindsey - posted on 09/02/2009

I can only imagine how hard this is on you as well as your husband. Reading your post brought tears to my eyes. It's huge that she's breathing on her own! They say that once a premature baby is able to breathe independently their health status will rapidly progress. When my baby was in the NICU they estimated she would be there for 6 weeks due to breathing and eating problems as well as high billiruben. She was discharged at 3 weeks and we were told that when estimating your discharge time they may exaggerate the length a bit to avoid dissapointment of not meeting the original d/c date. In most cases the billiruben will normalize within a week. Like previously stated they can definitely safely transport your baby home. It's so important for you to have the support of your husband and other family. Just keep in mind that you will get through this and you will have your healthy, beautiful baby home with you and your family. I wish you the best of luck :-)

Julie - posted on 09/02/2009

Wow, that must be very hard on you and your family back home. I think there would be some advantage to transferring her closer to home for you so her future doctors could get to know her. I'm sure it would be expensive (and maybe not covered), but I think there would have to be a way to arrange a flight "home" when she is more stable. My guy was born 12 weeks early in a hospital that didn't have a NICU. They couldn't send the helicopter due to a blizzard. They sent a "respiratory team" from the hospital in an ambulance and drove him to the hospital, about 2 hours away. Of course, it wouldn't be a 2 hour drive for your little one, but my point is that transfer of critical preemie CAN be done. I'm sure your daughter will be more stable long before Oct. (off ventilator already?--AWESOME!!). Maybe there is a way to transfer her to your local NICU. There is a lot to be said for mom's health in her recovery and you need the support of your husband and family now more than anything. You may need to remind the hospital staff of that fact to really :encourage" them to help you.



Good Luck!