Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks

I agree with the other girls here and would seek out second and third opinions. Also, do they have to take a full vial each time they draw your blood? Can they get away with half a vial? I would also ask the doctors what is your long term prognosis with and without the transfusion(s).

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks

I have no advice. I just wanted to send you

Message edited 7/12/2007 5:29:09 PM.

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks

Posted by LSP2005

I agree with the other girls here and would seek out second and third opinions. Also, do they have to take a full vial each time they draw your blood? Can they get away with half a vial? I would also ask the doctors what is your long term prognosis with and without the transfusion(s).

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks

Posted by ssdbk

I am so sorry!!

1. I think that giving you the iron intravenously may work and how much harm or delay would it do to try it? (I'm asking becasue I honestly don't know how risky that would be).

2. It sounds like if not for your parents, you may opt for transfusion. I think it's time to take them out of the equation and then decide, whichever way you may go. Sorry if that sounds harsh.

I have anemia but not nearly that severe. I'm supposed to take 2 pills a day but I can only tolerate 1. I know how terrible you can feel from it and I'm sorry you are going through. this.

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks

I'm so sorry you are faced with this tough decision...I just wanted to offer you lots of and TONS of My SIL is an obgyn and we were talking last weekend and she said the earliest baby she delievered was 24 weeks and the baby is fine now. The baby was under 2lbs and is a happy healthy 3yr old now. Good luck to you and lots of prayers are going your way

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks

Wow lots of decisions and i feel for you. A couple of things i want to tell you...I had twins at 29 weeks and they are now healthey and happy..walking and talking all over the place..they are 16 months. Usually when you deliver at 29 weeks your baby will most likely need a blood transfusion in the NICU. Both of my girls had 2 or 3 blood transfusions which i believed helped them get stronger..you could see the difference in them after they had the transfusions.
I spoke to the doc about the blood they were given and they said when blood is given to a neborn it's the best of the best in terms of blood. Also you can have your family members donate and if they are a match they will use that. I was also told from the NICU staff that for every day your baby is in your belly that is one less week they have to stay in the NICU. So if you do have an option of keeping the baby in longer with no harm to you or the baby i would definately go that route but you have to do whats best for you.

You are going to be faced with many tough decisions in the next couple of weeks. Feel free to FM with any questions you might have.

hugs to you

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks

Posted by sometimesmommy

Posted by LSP2005

I agree with the other girls here and would seek out second and third opinions. Also, do they have to take a full vial each time they draw your blood? Can they get away with half a vial? I would also ask the doctors what is your long term prognosis with and without the transfusion(s).

I have something similar to a pic line called an infusaport that delivers my artifical nutrition. When they draw blood they waste at least a 10CC (??) syringe or two depending on the blood consistency-the first blood drawn cant be used. Then they draw another 10 CC syringe which they use to fill up the vials for testing.

I asked my GI doc what the long term without the transfusion and he said its unpredictable if my levels will keep dropping as no one can predict when the levels will fall too low and this affects oxygen rich blood flowing to the baby. With the transfusions he predicts a great outcome but more than likely once I start it will continue til I deliver.

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks

I am glad I asked you ladies advice. It is still going to be a tough decision but at least I know what you would do if in my position. I should have more answers by tomorrow-Fear is guiding me right now so after talking to the docs I plan to make an informed decision. My doc is a calmer so I cant wait till he gets here.

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks

What I'm praying specifically for you is that you make the best decision for you. I believe that when you just ask God to help you make the decisions, that he will always give you the right answer.

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks

sending you lots of

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks

You are in my thoughts and prayers

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks

i am so sorry that you have to make this kind of decision..You are in my thoughts and prayers

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks

i am SUCH a lurker but i have been following you for weeks... you are amazingly strong in the face of such adversity and hard decisions... i don't have any advice to give you, as i have never been PG, but i just wanted to offer you some and and hope that your sweet baby girl is as amazing as you.

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks

A big huge hug goes out to you. If it has to be where the baby needs to be delivered early just know that the baby will do fine. I know a few people that had to deliver at 27 weeks. Their babies are absolutely healthy and happy.

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks

Honestly, I would take the transfusion. I would want to do everything possible to give my baby a good chance, and it seems like if your family didn't object you would get the transfusion. I think in this situation I would ignore them and do what my doctors and I thought was best for my child.

The chances of a complication from the blood transfusion is low, and when you look at the complication preemies can face it changes things. I found this information when I looked it up.

"Preemie" is the common term used when referring to a premature baby. The dictionary definition of a preemie is "a prematurely born infant". A preemie is born before 37 weeks gestation while a full term baby is born at 37 weeks or after. Preemies require a very different start in life, and this can vary dramatically depending on the level of prematurity. Micro preemie and preemie are the two terms used to help define the degree of prematurity.

To an NICU medical professional, a micropreemie or micro preemie is defined as a baby that is under 1 3/4 pounds (between 700-800 grams) and is generally born before 26 weeks gestation, but most people prefer to loosen this term up to include any baby under 3 pounds (1500 grams) or under 29 weeks gestation. Micro preemies require a lot of medical attention in order to survive, and many more micro preemies are surviving than ever before in history. The statistics for the survival of a micro preemie can range from 10-80%.

A micro preemie born before 23 weeks gestation has no chance of survival to 10%. Every day inside the mother increases the chances of survival for a micro preemie, and every week is a major significance continuing to push that percentage higher. This also lowers the numbers of short and long term health risks.

Some of the many difficulties that a micro preemie experiences are immature lungs, an underdeveloped digestive system, cerebral hemorrhaging, high risk of infection, incomplete feeding reflexes, severe anemia, neurological delays, physical handicaps, and long term health issues. Because of so many problems associated with being a micro preemie, medical intervention to keep micro preemies alive include biliblankets, blood pressure monitors, cardiac monitors, endotracheal tubes, isolettes, intravenous pumps & tubes, nasal CPAPs, nasal gastric tubes, nasal prongs, oxyhoods, oxygen saturation monitors, phototherapy lights, pulse oximeters, respiratory monitors, synthetic surfactant, temperature probes, UACs, ultrasounds, UVCs, and ventilators. So much more information is being made available to parents of micro preemies than ever before, allowing parents the opportunity to educate themselves on their micro preemie's needs.

The technical term for preemie is defined as a baby that is under 5 1/2 pounds (2500 grams), though the general public chooses to call any baby under 7 pounds (3000 grams) a preemie. This is partially due to the fact that it is difficult to find clothing that fits these babies unless shopping at preemie stores for preemie sizes, so some parents refer to their little baby as a preemie. Another reason is that many people are uninformed about the definition of prematurity.

Statistics for preemie survival is greater than 90%. The medical requirements for preemies tends to be a lot less demanding than those of their micro preemie counterparts. However, it can still be a precarious time
and many preemies may still be on much of the medical equipment that micro preemies need. A preemie is weaned off of this equipment as soon as she strong enough or is capable of handling many bodily functions herself, yet, many times a preemie seems to go back and forth for a little while.

As a preemie begins to steadily get stronger and medical needs lessen, it is soon time to go home. Many a preemie has been sent home with medical equipment that their parents have been trained to use in case of an emergency. This is a scary time and an exciting time for parents because they are now in control, not quite sure if they can handle emergencies but desperately wanting to get down to the "normal" part of life, raising their preemie. These resilient, warrior-parents do quite well continuing to fight for their baby and are very in-tune to even the smallest details.

Many preemies continue to have health issues that they struggle with for the rest of their lives. However, as technology advances, some of these problems can be controlled with surgery, medication, and other interventions. This is a preemie!

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks-Update #1 7:30

Trust me I see what they go through (I see Nicu everyday) so its not a light decision. I am leaning towards doing it see my update above.....

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks-Update #1 7:30

Good luck.

I just noticed you're due the same day I was due with my son last year.

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks-Update #1 7:30

I wish I could help you. I want to give you as many prayers as possible!!!!!

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks-Update #1 7:30

My nephew has had many health problems in his short life and at two points needed a blood transfusion....
and both times it was necessary and an immediate help.

I hope you takes your doctor's guidance and move forward with whatever will help you and your child...
You have made it so far under such difficult circumstances!!

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks-Update #1 7:30

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks-Update #1 7:30

Ann, I'm so sorry you are going through this, you just need a break already....I wish I could help...

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks-Update #1 7:30

first of all, i am so sorry you are going through this

i understand that it's difficult to make a decision that goes against the will of your family members, and i'm sorry that you are in this position...

BUT as both a physician and a mom-to-be, i would strongly consider you to accept the transfusion. blood from the bank is tested rigorously, and your chances of developing any condition from the blood you receive is extremely slim. if it means bumping up your hemoglobin/hematocrit enough to give the baby some more time inside, i would do it, no question. the difference between 29 weeks and 30 weeks is large - every single day counts.

having said that, i am not in your shoes... the only person who can make this decision is you. i hope that you will make the decision that you are most comfortable with

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks-Update #1 7:30

I just wanted to give you lots and lots of hugs.

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks-Update #1 7:30

Just wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. To repeat something that has been said by many other women, you are an amazingly strong lady and your little girl is going to be lucky to have you as her mother!

Re: Sensitive topic-Delivery early at 29 weeks-Update #1 7:30

I think at 29 weeks the baby has a great chance of being just fine I hadmy daughter at 32 weeks she was in the hospital for 2 weeks she was 4lbs 15 oz and she is now 8 years old you never could have been able to tell she was a primee
I am sure all will be fine