UPDATE!

[sherry fisher]

I have not received the steroid shots for her lungs. My OB said that she does them up till 34 weeks. She said at this point we are literally days aways from being mature or not. So, she feels that if she does the shots at this stage they really wont be beneficial. Thats why she always PUSHES for that 34week mark. Also said that girls tend to mature a little faster than boys..lung wise too!~ [:D]

Sherry Fisher (28)
DH: Bill (35)
Proud Mama to:
#1) Alex 1/1/94-PE
#2) Abbie 12/17/97-PIH
#3 Will 08/03/02-PP PE
#4) EDD: 4/27/04
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/b/babyfish3/
Pregnancy Updates, ultrasound pictures, and the countdown: http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/b/babyfish4/

[sandy]

Hi Sherry,
Oh, any moment now?! I was bedresting in the hospital by the time I got to where you are now. The doctors were all telling me that the girls do better coming out early, so you've got that on your side. :)

When I was about where you are now, the doctors were saying that it could go either way, so they decided to do an amnio to see if her lungs were mature, and if so, out she would come (I had the steroid shots a few weeks before that), and if they weren't, they'd let me bedrest more.

I was I think 3 days from week 34 when I had the amnio and her lungs were not mature. The doctors decided to wait until week 35 and then they were going to consider another amnio, or if I got too sick, then out she'd come regardless. I did develop HELLP at 35 weeks and 1 day, so out she came via emergency C at that time. She was having periods of apnea, so she went right to the Level II NICU. 36 hours later, her lung collapsed, but the doctors said it was due to an air pocket on the outside of the lung pushing on it...so I really don't think it was because her lungs weren't mature. Her lung repaired itself, and now she is a very active, healthy 9 month old.

Hang in there. Every hour counts. Good luck to you and I can't wait to hear the good news once she arrives!

~Sandy/DD born via emergency C at 35 wks. June '03 due to Severe PE/class III HELLP/chronic HBP/asthma

[mada]

Hi sherry,
Sounds like you guys had a fun shopping day!!! I bet you are so excited!! I hope you can make it until your friday appt. as well!! Either way you're doing awesome!! Will they have the very small premie diapers for you? I am sure, but it's always good to have a few on hand....Sam weighed 5 lbs. 4 0z. when he was born and the "Newborn" size before size 1 was just fine! Oh, I can't wait to see pic's of that baby!!! Goodluck at your appt. on Wed.

Mada Harpster

Sam 6-29-00 36weeks P.E.
Ben 11-03-01 No P.E.

[pugmommy7]

Sherry,
I have a 33 5/7 weeker and she did fantastic.
She was only on oxygen as a precautionary measure, mixed w/ room air,no c-pap or intubation.
I did recieve shots of steriod 64 hours before her arrival which increased her surfactant.

The NICU stay was the most pleasant part of our whole experience.
Bella had a nasal gavage in her nose for some feedings in the beginning, but after 36 hours she was nipple feeding well. great suck reflex on a pacifier too.

She had some minor jaundace(which they would have been surprised if she didn't have.)
Other than that they monitored her for apneas and braychardias(sp?)
of which she had none.(it was procedure.)
She was sent home aftr a 24 day stay, with no monitor. We were very blessed.

34 weeks is great!! Some don't make it that far. And she is a girl, they do wonderfully on the hierarchy of babies.(1.black girls do the best,2.black boys 3.white girls 4.white boys...)
We have a little white girl who is pure sass!
as I chase her around the house today...at 14 months, I cannot believe she was ever 3.6 lbs!!

I just know everything will be great.

Feel free to e-mail me directly if you like pugmommy7@yahoo.com

love,Jennifer


Mama to Bella,1/02/03, born 33 and 5/7 weeks at 3 lbs,6oz.Pre-E and PIH,& HELLP.
Babygirl #2,EDD 6/24/04

[sherry fisher]

Thanks Jennifer! I sit here and wonder though, how much that steroid shot helped?!?! I am sure it was really beneficial to her. I almost wish that I was going to get one. I go back and forth, of everthing will be fine to wondering what horrible outcomes we will have. UGHH!
I know Allyson is bigger than what Bella (love that name!) was. Not that that matters in the way of lungs..


I am not being able to take 300mg of Labetalol 3 TID. It makes me really tired and out of it. I was in la la land the other day when we went shopping. My DH said I kept asking him the same thing over and over again. [xx(] It just makes me feel sick! Still taking the routine I am used to though..200, 300, 200.

Sherry Fisher (28)
DH: Bill (35)
Proud Mama to:
#1) Alex 1/1/94-PE
#2) Abbie 12/17/97-PIH
#3 Will 08/03/02-PP PE
#4) EDD: 4/27/04
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/b/babyfish3/
Pregnancy Updates, ultrasound pictures, and the countdown: http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/b/babyfish4/

[pugmommy7]

I meant to tell you earlier,Wal Mart has a suprisingly large amount of preemie stuff. My mom cleaned them out last time. I was there the other day and saw a bunch on clearence.(baby gap did too- you may be able to get that CHEAP-CHEAP online without having to go out when you feel crummy.

GOOD LUCK. you are in my thoughts
love jennifer

Mama to Bella,1/02/03, born 33 and 5/7 weeks at 3 lbs,6oz.Pre-E and PIH,& HELLP.
Babygirl #2,EDD 6/24/04

[jenny5]

Along with what you have done already to get ready, I strongly suggest a front pack carrier. Preemies are supposed to do really well and grow quicker if held against your heart as much as possible. I had Lucy in the front pack constantly! She seemed to be very comfortable, warm and cozy, like she was still finishing gestation in the womb. It sounds a little goofy, but there is a whole book written on the subject, I think it is called "Kangaroo Care". Most of it is aimed toward way more premature infants than yours will be, but it is still a great book. Good luck and take care!
Jenny

mom to Jake (8-28-98)
and Lucy (6-3-00) born 34 weeks due to severe pree
New baby due 10/01/04

[akemt]

Sherry...Have you told your doctor about not taking the increased BP meds? How are your BP's running without them?

I just wanted to give you a link to a chart that shows outcomes for premature infants by gestation. And, it should be reassuring that it only goes to "30+" weeks. (Also, read the little comments at the bottom) It was so great when we thought I'd be delivering early to watch from one week to the next and see the ammount of expected improvement. And, once I got up where you are, I felt great about a good outcome...even if it did require a bit of a NICU stay.

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/2077/table.html

Let us know how things are going and if you will be heading to L&D for some fun [;)]

Catherine (22), Moderator (pregnant again)
DH Britton (27)
Emma Margaret (03/02/03) 37 weeks from PIH & oligo
Baby #2 due August 11, 2004

[sherry fisher]

Thanks everyone! You cant tell I am freaking out, can ya? lol

Jenny, I do have a front carrier! I will have to wash that up, I did not even think of that. THanks!

Catherine, I have not told her about not being able to tolerate the extra mgs. I go in today to see her. I will be sure to let her know today! My BP's are really no different than before. I think in all honesty, the labetalol has just pooped out on my body! I am getting some high readings...160/95, but then some better one, like 130/82. Thanks so much for that site Catherine! Yes, it makes me feel a little more at ease at the inevitable!~ Until I read a preemie horror story!

I am having contractions after I have walked up the stairs at home here. SO, I have limited those stairs quite a bit. Anyone else have an irritable uterus like this? I am already dialated to a 1.

I go at 3pm to the OB. It usually takes awhile for the NST...then she MAY send me over for blood work and/or induction. I am not sure. But I will post something as soon as I am home!!


Sherry Fisher (28)
DH: Bill (35)
Proud Mama to:
#1) Alex 1/1/94-PE
#2) Abbie 12/17/97-PIH
#3 Will 08/03/02-PP PE
#4) EDD: 4/27/04
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/b/babyfish3/
Pregnancy Updates, ultrasound pictures, and the countdown: http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/b/babyfish4/

[mada]

Goodluck at the appt. today!! Hope you can keep cooking a little longer[:D]

Mada Harpster

Sam 6-29-00 36weeks P.E.
Ben 11-03-01 No P.E.