NICU Check-in

[lepeters]

LO gestational age at birth: 36 + 2 days.

How long in the NICU: 8 days

Worst part of being in the NICU: not getting to hold him and feeling like I wasn't really a mom. You feel like your a visitor just coming and going to visit your own child. It was hard.

Best part of being in the NICU: all the nurses and doctors. They were all so helpful and caring.

How has being home felt: being home is amazing. It was definitely a learning curve going from nurses doing half the work to me and DH doing it all. I love having him home and getting to hold him and cuddle him whenever I want.

How do you feel about your time in the NICU now: I agree with you @saveourship it still makes me sad and I to felt like I missed out. Because they wanted him on such a strict three hour schedule you would just go change him and feed him and then they want you to put them back to sleep. And that was when he was in the level 2 NICU. When he was on level 3 I only got to hold him once a day. When he was there I really felt like I was missing out. They weren't even letting me try to BF then. I am glad he got what he needed and is now a healthy boy gaining weight like crazy.

[joolaya]

LO gestational age at birth:
26+ 1

How long in the NICU:
16 weeks- yikes

Worst part of being in the NICU:
the fact that the plan could change from day to day... the uncertain nature of it was the worst part for me

Best part of being in the NICU:
I loved the nurses, especially our primaries. Even nurses that we never had would come by to check on my daughter or ask how she's doing.

How has being home felt:
I'm glad to be home, but it has been a challenge dealing with her reflux issues and the oxygen equipment. I'm not complaining, but just commenting on the extra dynamic that both add to having a newborn.


How do you feel about your time in the NICU now:
I would not wish the experience of having your baby in the NICU... but I am glad that she was well taken care of.

[Squishy622]

Thanks for this, @saveourship!
LO gestational age at birth: 35+3

How long in the NICU: 1 week

Worst part of being in the NICU: Having one at home and one in the hospital. Being very physically uncomfortable with healing from the birth and sitting all 4 of us in this tiny space with nowhere to pump, etc. And of course having to leave her to come home every day.

Best part of being in the NICU: The amazing nurses

How has being home felt: Scary at first, then fine once I realized she'd be ok.

How do you feel about your time in the NICU now: It's just a distant memory. I had mentally prepared myself for it and I feel lucky that it wasn't longer or more serious.