My February baby will be a December baby

I've been in the hospital for a week with pulmonary hypertension. They are hoping to get me to 35 weeks. Just looking for any advice about preemies, things I may need now that I didn't before. Also probably looking at a c-section. Really anything, I'm going crazy in this hospital bed thinking of all of this.

My February baby will be a December baby

No advice. DD was just in NICU last week and I swear to you, those people are angels who will care for your baby. Keep us posted!

Re: My February baby will be a December baby

My February baby will be a December baby

Sorry you're going through this! I've been there and I wouldn't wish this stress and pain on anyone. I was in a similar situation with my DS and delivered him at 34.5 weeks. I got the steroid shots at 32.5 weeks. When I delivered my son he was on a cpap for half the day but they noticed he was breathing just fine on his own. He was born at 6.3lbs which is amazing considering and was eating well. Fortunately, our nicu experience was short. He was discharged with me after 3 days. Best outcome possible considering. Hang in there. Easier said than done. I really hope you make it to 35 weeks!

Re: My February baby will be a December baby

My February baby will be a December baby

i don't have any personal experience, but two close family members had preemies in the last year (one at 32 weeks and another at 36 weeks). The one at 32 weeks was a little over 3 lbs and he was in the NICU for about a month and a half- they took such good care of him, and really made my cousin calm down a bit.

The one at 36 weeks was in the NICU for 3 days. She was 5 lbs- I remember my family member telling me that they sent her home with so many diapers and other necessities as well

Re: My February baby will be a December baby

I don't have any personal experience with this but I just want to wish you well. My sister is a NICU nurse and from everything I hear, those nurses are amazing and they will take excellent care of your LO. Hang in there!

Re: My February baby will be a December baby

my twins were born at 33 weeks and although it sucked going back & forth to the hospital to visit them I knew they were under the best care. The NICU nurses were AMAZING & I was able to call at all hours of the night to get updates.
Hang in there because in the end it is all worth it!
good luck

Re: My February baby will be a December baby

No personal experience here either but just wanted to send some good thoughts your way!!

Re: My February baby will be a December baby

Baby wants you to have an early Christmas present please stay positive its very important. Your lil one will be okay. I will keep you in my prayers and your lil one too. Hang in there mama

My February baby will be a December baby

My friend had her baby at 32 weeks. She was in the NICU for a few weeks but now is a perfectly healthy happy 7 YO. Good luck!!

My February baby will be a December baby

I had DD2 at 35 weeks and she did really well. She was just 4 pounds but they told me she should have been 5 or 6 at that point so she was just tiny. She required very little help breathing and once she was allowed to eat she did great with both the bottle or breast. She spent 8 days in the nicu at stonybrook and the were amazing. Everyone in the nicu, post partem, the OBs took such amazing care of us. I had a cs and I would just say get up and move as much as you can as soon as you can. I was able to stay in the hospital 5 full days which was great, much easier than traveling back and for the last few days. If you hope to breastfeed, I would definitely bring a hands free pumping bra. That was probably the most helpful item I had so I was able to pump while making phone calls or eating or the other million things I was trying to fit into the day. Also a big refillable water bottle to bring with you everywhere. Good luck!

Re: My February baby will be a December baby

I had DD1 at 34 weeks due to Pre-Eclampsia (hypertension) and HELLP syndrome via emergency c. She was also a February baby who came in December (NYE to be exact). She was born at 4lbs 4oz and spent 6 weeks in Winthrop's NICU due to bradycardia (inconsistent heart rate). However, she had NO trouble breathing or eating on her own which was great. I'm not going to sugar coat - it was an awful experience. BUT the doctors and nurses were AWESOME, and now she is a happy healthy almost 2 year old. I'm now due in February again, and we are demanding this little one stay in!

Tips:
NICU stays vary so much depending on the baby and situation. I can only speak for myself, but it was the most stressful, exhausting experience of my life. I guess the biggest thing to prepare for is the emotional roller coaster. Every alarm you hear will drive you crazy, and every itty bitty milestone will make you jump for joy.

I'm sure it varies by the hospital, but once DD was in an open crib we were able to bring in blankets, hats, and clothes for her. She was only allowed visits by DH and I and our parents - all others had to see her through the window. However, later on I learned that they had an exception with babies in for extended time that they could have one additional visitor per day. I was pissed when I learned about that because I found out by overhearing a nurse tell another mother and I had already been in there well past the required time.

One thing that was difficult for me was dealing with our friends and family. Of course everyone was so worried and cared so much, but it was so overwhelming having to give daily updates to EVERYONE. Almost every night after we got home we had to call my in-laws, my father, my mother, and my two sisters. We also had to text several friends as well as BIL and SIL. I almost wish I would’ve just told them all I’d do a daily email blast or something. The hardest part of those 39 days for me was constantly answering the same questions over and over several times a day. It might’ve just been easier to tell everyone to expect an email from us each night. By the time we’d get home, the last thing we wanted to do was make a million phone calls. But then if we didn’t, our families were panicking and blowing up our phones.

We became very friendly with most of our nurses. In fact we got so friendly with some of them that when she finally left they were crying! We tried almost every night to be there during shift change (7pm) so that we could meet the nurse who would be taking care of her during the night. Also, I would eavesdrop when they did the shift change reports to make sure I knew everything that was being said and was going on. I even added to them sometimes. I also made sure to try to speak with the attending doctors every day to get her status. When all was said and done, I wrote them a really nice card and brought them cupcakes the day she was going home.

Things to make sure you do if baby is in the NICU:
Find out visiting hours and restrictions

Get the direct phone number to the NICU

Make sure they have your phone numbers

If you do not want baby to have a pacifier, tell them or they will give it

Find out if the hospital validates parking (if parking is paid) or give a pass (we found out about a parking pass about a week in - wish we would've known sooner)

Take an infant CPR class if they offer it

Most importantly, and I can’t reiterate this enough, be patient. It is SO SO SO SO hard to see your little one attached to wires and tubes and get your hopes up each day only to be disappointed the next. Each hour feels like it’s a day. Each day feels as if it’s forever. It’s hard to be patient with friends and family who want to know everything but you’re tired of answering questions. It’s hard to answer questions over and over and then be told that they feel you’re leaving stuff out, when there are holes in your stories but you’re telling them everything you know. It’s hard to see how well the nurses handle your baby and you’re terrified to do it yourself. It’s awful to have to leave baby at the end of each night and simply trust that your nurses will care for him/her the way you would. It’s painful to go home each night and wonder if baby is going to be ok or if (s)he’s going to have problems before you go back again. It’ll also take a toll on your marriage. The stress and wave of emotions may cause you and hubby to be more snippy with each other and fight. Try your best to continue to take care of yourselves before she comes home. Remember to eat and have some quiet time because the second you step foot in the hospital each day you forget about it.
Eventually, after lots and lots of hard work and emotion, your little one will be coming home, and it will all seem like a bad dream.

Feel free to FM me with any questions

Re: My February baby will be a December baby

I know it seems so terrifying now, but your baby should still live a happy and healthy life. Even if she is born 5 weeks early!!
GOOD LUCK!!

Re: My February baby will be a December baby

I was induced at 35 weeks due to preeclampsia- DD will be 2 in 2 weeks and is healthy, vivacious, and off the charts for height and weight- she has flourished even though she was a preemie. Sending you lots of hugs and prayers- it's stressful but so common these days. Hospitals are well equipped to take care of preemies!

My February baby will be a December baby

I'm sure the doctors have talked about this but I would try to get anyone who will be around the baby to get their pertussis and flu vaccines.

Re: My February baby will be a December baby

No advice, but just wanted to say my niece was born at 35 weeks. She's now a happy, healthy 8 year old with no issues and more energy than her mom and dad know what to do with! Good luck with everything!

My February baby will be a December baby

We had a friend who had an emergency C section due to preclampsia and other issues at 32 weeks. The baby was in the hospital for quite some time but she is adorable and healthy now! She is just about a year and a half.

Re: My February baby will be a December baby

My February baby wound up being a November baby!!! She was born 3 weeks ago at 26 weeks 5 days and is doing wonderfully in the NICU. What hospital are you expecting to deliver at? I was expecting a c-section and wound up having a totally natural childbirth after my labor lasted barely 2 hours. Anyway, a lot of how the NICU stay goes depends on how early you go. There are specific preemie issues that the doctors and nurses watch for - in my case, my baby wound up getting a very scary and dangerous intestinal infection that preemies are prone to, but because the NICU doctors and nurses were watching so closely for it they caught it so early, before it became full blown, that she is expected to be just fine. It's really amazing what they do in there and how great they are at treating these babies. Preemies are also prone to breathing issues if they are very early (like apnea) which they tend to outgrow within a few weeks. It can be a long and bumpy road and is very emotional but I just keep reminding myself that this is all temporary and that soon enough she will be home with us and my family will all be together for good (I have one daughter at home and one at the hospital). You will get through this and it will be okay!!

Re: My February baby will be a December baby

No advice...but sending good vibes!! It seems you've gotten some good advice already from some of the other ladies. HUGS!!

Re: My February baby will be a December baby

Thank you so much everyone! It's all been very helpful and I really appreciate it. I keep getting different answers from every doctor right now and its just exhausting. Good news is we may be able to go to 36 or 37 weeks now, but that means more time of me just staring at these walls. Anything could change at any moment, I just wish I knew what was going on.

Re: My February baby will be a December baby

Re: My February baby will be a December baby

Posted by MrsS6510

I had DD1 at 34 weeks due to Pre-Eclampsia (hypertension) and HELLP syndrome via emergency c. She was also a February baby who came in December (NYE to be exact). She was born at 4lbs 4oz and spent 6 weeks in Winthrop's NICU due to bradycardia (inconsistent heart rate). However, she had NO trouble breathing or eating on her own which was great. I'm not going to sugar coat - it was an awful experience. BUT the doctors and nurses were AWESOME, and now she is a happy healthy almost 2 year old. I'm now due in February again, and we are demanding this little one stay in!

Tips:
NICU stays vary so much depending on the baby and situation. I can only speak for myself, but it was the most stressful, exhausting experience of my life. I guess the biggest thing to prepare for is the emotional roller coaster. Every alarm you hear will drive you crazy, and every itty bitty milestone will make you jump for joy.

I'm sure it varies by the hospital, but once DD was in an open crib we were able to bring in blankets, hats, and clothes for her. She was only allowed visits by DH and I and our parents - all others had to see her through the window. However, later on I learned that they had an exception with babies in for extended time that they could have one additional visitor per day. I was pissed when I learned about that because I found out by overhearing a nurse tell another mother and I had already been in there well past the required time.

One thing that was difficult for me was dealing with our friends and family. Of course everyone was so worried and cared so much, but it was so overwhelming having to give daily updates to EVERYONE. Almost every night after we got home we had to call my in-laws, my father, my mother, and my two sisters. We also had to text several friends as well as BIL and SIL. I almost wish I would’ve just told them all I’d do a daily email blast or something. The hardest part of those 39 days for me was constantly answering the same questions over and over several times a day. It might’ve just been easier to tell everyone to expect an email from us each night. By the time we’d get home, the last thing we wanted to do was make a million phone calls. But then if we didn’t, our families were panicking and blowing up our phones.

We became very friendly with most of our nurses. In fact we got so friendly with some of them that when she finally left they were crying! We tried almost every night to be there during shift change (7pm) so that we could meet the nurse who would be taking care of her during the night. Also, I would eavesdrop when they did the shift change reports to make sure I knew everything that was being said and was going on. I even added to them sometimes. I also made sure to try to speak with the attending doctors every day to get her status. When all was said and done, I wrote them a really nice card and brought them cupcakes the day she was going home.

Things to make sure you do if baby is in the NICU:
Find out visiting hours and restrictions

Get the direct phone number to the NICU

Make sure they have your phone numbers

If you do not want baby to have a pacifier, tell them or they will give it

Find out if the hospital validates parking (if parking is paid) or give a pass (we found out about a parking pass about a week in - wish we would've known sooner)

Take an infant CPR class if they offer it

Most importantly, and I can’t reiterate this enough, be patient. It is SO SO SO SO hard to see your little one attached to wires and tubes and get your hopes up each day only to be disappointed the next. Each hour feels like it’s a day. Each day feels as if it’s forever. It’s hard to be patient with friends and family who want to know everything but you’re tired of answering questions. It’s hard to answer questions over and over and then be told that they feel you’re leaving stuff out, when there are holes in your stories but you’re telling them everything you know. It’s hard to see how well the nurses handle your baby and you’re terrified to do it yourself. It’s awful to have to leave baby at the end of each night and simply trust that your nurses will care for him/her the way you would. It’s painful to go home each night and wonder if baby is going to be ok or if (s)he’s going to have problems before you go back again. It’ll also take a toll on your marriage. The stress and wave of emotions may cause you and hubby to be more snippy with each other and fight. Try your best to continue to take care of yourselves before she comes home. Remember to eat and have some quiet time because the second you step foot in the hospital each day you forget about it.
Eventually, after lots and lots of hard work and emotion, your little one will be coming home, and it will all seem like a bad dream.

Feel free to FM me with any questions

Re: My February baby will be a December baby

I spiked to 170/100 at my 35 week visit, I was sent to the hospital and was induced that night. 3 days later I had an emergency c. My DS was born 4 weeks 1 day early, 5lbs 8oz. He was in the NICU for a total of FIVE, yes 5, days. He gained weight fast and furious. He's now 13 months old and in the 75% for height and weight for his AGE, not adjusted age, but age. He has had NO delays what so ever, he took his first steps (without holding anything) 3 nights ago, he's working on his words, is completely off the bottle and we're working hard on the paci, but that's gonna stay for now. It's scary, but will be FINE! Good Luck!!!!

Re: My February baby will be a December baby