Any other preemie moms?

[runningmommy519]

Hey ladies! Wondering if there are any other moms out there that had a preemie?

My pregnancy with DS was going great until I went in at my 31 almost 32 week check up. They found out I had high blood pressure. They decided to do an ultrasound and found that baby was measuring behind quite a bit. They suspected that growth had stopped. The plan was to keep an eye on my bp and do another ultrasound at 35 weeks. Long story short. I ended up with preeclampsia and the ultrasound at 35 weeks showed zero growth and DS was born 6 hours later. He was airlifted to the nearest NICU and I didn't see him for 3 days. While in the NICU his only goals were to learn how to eat and to grow. He spent 21 days there and came home weighing 4 lbs. He caught up rather quickly and I am grateful for that.

The time between 31-35 weeks sucked. I was so terrified and worried. Then he came early. I feel like I missed out on most of the 3rd trimester. I feel like I missed out on the normal newborn stuff. I have no idea what it's like to take a baby home when they are only a few days old. I had 3 friends have babies and take them home after I had DS and before he got to come home.

Now that I'm expecting again, I am so afraid of having to go through that again. It was so hard. After his birth, we even thought about not having another because we were scared to go through that again.

Sorry for the dear diary but I'm wondering if anyone can relate.

[annabananabomb]

I don't have any experiences to share I'm sorry RunningMommy but I just wanted to say I'm sorry you went through that and I'm so glad your DS caught up and is fine.

Sounds to me like a pretty normal reaction to feel a bit scared this time around.

Hope some others here have some good advice for you.

[lulurm]

My son was late preterm. He was born at 36 weeks (fortunately he was 6lbs and had no problems whatsoever. I am so very sorry that your DS had to go to the NICU, I can't even imagine). I just wanted to mention that the specialists at MFM have me starting progesterone injections at 16weeks (given once a week by a nurse at their office). They gave me the option of whether or not to do them because DS was a late premie, but they recommend it since I have had bleeding with this pregnancy (and better safe than sorry). You should ask your OB about the 17P shots (insurance should cover them), that could give you some peace of mind.

[runningmommy519]

Jan 28, 2015 21:07:39 GMT -5 lulurm said:

My son was late preterm. He was born at 36 weeks (fortunately he was 6lbs and had no problems whatsoever. I am so very sorry that your DS had to go to the NICU, I can't even imagine). I just wanted to mention that the specialists at MFM have me starting progesterone injections at 16weeks (given once a week by a nurse at their office). They gave me the option of whether or not to do them because DS was a late premie, but they recommend it since I have had bleeding with this pregnancy (and better safe than sorry). You should ask your OB about the 17P shots (insurance should cover them), that could give you some peace of mind.

I do have an appointment on Monday.  I can mention it.  We've talked already about the possibility of this happening again and he said the chances were slim.  They have no idea what caused the IUGR (growth restriction) with DS. Sometimes it just happens.  

[heavenwhip]

I'm sorry that happened with your first. I have no experience to share, only wanted to say that fx everything goes smoothly for you this time.

[RandomName]

RunnyMommy I also don't have experience to share but wanted to say I'm sorry that happened. It's great news that your Dr said the chances of it happening again are slim but I can see how it is still scary nonetheless. FX for a smooth uneventful pregnancy this time round!

[mommakc]

I cannot relate exactly, but can empathize with your worry and pain. I'm sorry you went through that, and happy that you're son pulled through so well! I hope that you get to spend your third trimester huge and hot and uncomfortable, and most importantly healthy and uneventful!

[Deleted]

I didn't have a premie, but DS did end up in the NICU. FX that things go better this time!

[tigger815]

My DD was not preemie but spent 10 days in the NICU because she needed 2 major surgeries. She was a super fragile peanut when we brought her home.

[livnluv2010]

Hi, I think I shared my story with you on the TTGP board. Glad we are both on this board now. My son was born at exactly 31 weeks after my membranes ruptured at 29 weeks. I was on hospital bed rest for almost a week and was induced after he was showing signs of distress. He spent 31 days in the NICU. I actually drove myself to the hospital after work one day just feeling "off" and that's when I found out I had a slow leak and was admitted immediately on 24 hour monitoring. My son had a lot of challenges early on but is now a healthy and happy four year old!

Like you, I'm so scared of this happening again and since there was no known reason for my rupture it is even more scary. I too know how hard it was to leave him in the hospital and I hope no one on here ever has to deal with that pain. My preg is going to be monitored by a high risk doctor. Are you considered high-risk? You may be able to ask you doctor for a referral to a high-risk doctor if you are. I'm hoping they help calm my fears a little bit.

Best of luck to you and message me anytime.

[daffodil428]

I'm sorry you went through that. This is my 3rd pregnancy and hopefully 1st baby. I have a Mthfr clotting disorder and I'm high risk. My mfm said his goal for my pregnancy is 28 weeks and anything after that is gravy. I am very worried of delivering too early. I hope to carry this baby to term with the blood thinners I'm on, but we won't know until we get there.

I know personally the fear of delivering too early is real. I'm sure even more real for you having lived through it once. I'm praying we go to full term with no issues. A positive mental attitude can have profound effects. Let's try to think positive and stay in the moment.

One final thought, although it is terrible to have your beautiful baby spend so many days in the NICU at least there is a great chance you'll get to take him or her home. My last pregnancy I would have given anything to have been able to take my baby home. I guess that's what keeps me grounded. I am willing to walk through any fire to finally bring a healthy baby home.

[lemon200]

No experience but I wanted to bump in case there is anyone else out there that can relate to you!

[runningmommy519]

Jan 29, 2015 9:43:39 GMT -5 livnluv2010 said:

Hi, I think I shared my story with you on the TTGP board. Glad we are both on this board now. My son was born at exactly 31 weeks after my membranes ruptured at 29 weeks. I was on hospital bed rest for almost a week and was induced after he was showing signs of distress. He spent 31 days in the NICU. I actually drove myself to the hospital after work one day just feeling "off" and that's when I found out I had a slow leak and was admitted immediately on 24 hour monitoring. My son had a lot of challenges early on but is now a healthy and happy four year old!

Like you, I'm so scared of this happening again and since there was no known reason for my rupture it is even more scary. I too know how hard it was to leave him in the hospital and I hope no one on here ever has to deal with that pain. My preg is going to be monitored by a high risk doctor. Are you considered high-risk? You may be able to ask you doctor for a referral to a high-risk doctor if you are. I'm hoping they help calm my fears a little bit.

Best of luck to you and message me anytime.

Oh my! I remember us talking about that! I'm so glad we are both here! I'm not sure if I'm considered high risk or not. It's scary. I bet we are both going to be nervous for that 31/32 week check up.

It's funny. I felt off the week before he was born. I must have called the nurses a dozen times that week and was seen twice. I'm convinced that if my doctor hadn't been on vacation that week that DS would have been born then. His movements were pretty much nonexistent and it was freaking me out.

[runningmommy519]

Thank you everyone for sharing. It's nice to have others perspectives.

@daffodil48 I'll keep you and your little bean in my thoughts.

[stillgreen]

Reading your story was like reading my own. DS was born at 32 weeks due to pre- e as well. It was noted during my anatomy scan at 20 weeks that he was small (10th %tile), and they watched me closely after that for other signs of pre-e. Around 28 weeks they put me on bedrest, then admitted me to the hospital around 30 weeks as more symptoms arose (high BP, protein in urine). His growth had slowed and one night his heart rate dropped, so they delivered him. 6 weeks in the NICU, and now at 15 months he is caught up as far as growth and milestones.

I am very scared about this pregnancy and the uncertainty. Sometimes I don't know if I could go through all of it again. How would I spend enough time in the NICU if I have a toddler at home? What if we are not as lucky and this baby doesn't catch up as well? The list goes on...

I'm taking it one day at a time and trying to optimistic. One doctor said "new pregnancy, new placenta" which, I guess means it's a while new ball game. I'm hanging on that for now.

I unfortunately can't get on here very often with my current schedule, but I will follow and post if we want to keep this running as a preemie mom support thread.

Good luck and know you are not alone!

[runningmommy519]

stillgreen DS heart rate was dropping too. Which is why I had to have a csection. He was in distress without me even bring in labor.

[laurasuzanne2006]

Similar situation. My daughter was full term but 4 lbs 7 oz iugr due to pre ecclampsia

[jedimomtricks]

With DS2 I was scheduled for a csec at 38 weeks. I had complications from my previous section that left me with a T scar, so labour is a big no no due to risk of rupture being very high.
At 36 weeks I started having pretty intense BH contractions, which is no big, but my scar started to burn with pain. Went in to the ER upon H's insistence, and they admitted me for observation, after 12 hours the pain had no eased so my OB recommended going in early and getting baby out. So DS was born at 36 weeks, weighing 6lbs 5 oz. he had an 8 day NICU stay due to slightly under developed lungs, but he was a champ. I literally lived at the hospital so I could BF him every 3 hours, I just wanted him to come home so badly. Turns out it was definitely the right call to remove him early as my uterus was paper thin at the previous incision site, and they actually found out after the fact that my placenta was not working properly anymore. Scary. So we're fully preparing ourselves mentally for having to go in early again, but really hoping we can make it to 38 weeks this time.
BTW, our teeny weeny premie with like no extra fat, all skinny and delicate is a MASSIVE 28 pound 16 month old now ! It's amazing when you see how far they've come!

ETA: 6 lbs is actually a great weight for a premie, we def know that, he was 5lbs 5oz when we left the hospital, and it felt TINY compared to our first son who was 9lbs 5oz.