Hints for a New Preemie Parent....

[care-o-line]

Here is a link for a preemie baby book.

http://www.prematurity.org/shops/special-start.html

Caroline - 26
dh - 25
dd Sylvia 8/21/02- 32weeks- 3lbs,5oz- pre-e
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/s/sylviakim/

[care-o-line]

Here is a link for preemie clothes patterns - if you sow! Preemie clothes in the store is for 5 pounders - HUGE! These patterns are for 2 - 6 pounds.

http://www.prematurity.org/shops/thorpe.html

Caroline - 26
dh - 25
dd Sylvia 8/21/02- 32weeks- 3lbs,5oz- pre-e
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/s/sylviakim/

[care-o-line]

Here is a link for a preemie book you might find interesting and therapeutic

http://www.thepreemieplace.org/bom/bom.htm

Caroline - 26
dh - 25
dd Sylvia 8/21/02- 32weeks- 3lbs,5oz- pre-e
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/s/sylviakim/

[canada1]

I think the biggest thing for me is to seek out others who understand the experience you are now going through. Especially as a first time mom, I found I had a lot of anger and sadness at losing the last 2 months of my pregnancy and not being able to fully experience being pregnant. It seems like many experience this. Give yourself permission to "mourn" the loss of a "normal" pregnancy. As much as my husband tried to be understanding, he just couldn't truly understand how I was feeling. And get support for that first day you are released from hospital and have to leave your baby behind. I think this was one of the hardest days I have gone through.

BUT, enjoy your precious baby now that he or she is here! After only 6 months, I can hardly remember how small he was. Each day is a blessing.

Stephanie

[aimeejane]

Caroline - Gotcha! [;)] We were actually saying the same thing. The testing you're talking about is the same program Nicky went through.

I loooove this thread. It's bringing back so many memories for me.

Aimee - 28
Dh - 29
Ds Nicky - 3/24/00 (28 wks - eclampsia)
EDD #2 - 8/3/03 (It's a BOY!)

[momathelete]

Stephanie,

Ohhh, I forgot to bring up leaving without the baby. Yes, that was just the hardest thing to do in the world. I couldn't believe how rough that was....ok, I am crying now. Must be the hormones!! [;)]



Michelle
mom to Cole Thomas -former 28.5 weeker (3-5-99, 3 lbs)due to HELLP and Madelaine Grace "Lainey" -former 29.5 (10-11-01, 3lbs 4oz)weeker due to Pre-E and now expecting third, on bedrest, have high blood pressure and I am scheduled to have a c-section on July 1st- about 37 weeks! Due to perinatologist's suggestion, I am on C,E,B12,B6,Omega-3, iron, prenatal, calcium, baby aspirin and bp meds- Labatalol -300mg 2x a day

[maddiekinsmom]

Talk, talk, and talk some more about your experience.

Rachel, mom to Maddie (29 weeker due to severe pre-e, IUGR)

[maddiekinsmom]

Hi again - I hit "send' too soon.

ANyway, find any and all support networks you can so you can talk aboout your experience. One great site is the Preemie-L web site. THey have a wonderul feature where they match you up with another preemie parent you has a child around the same gestational age. It's one on one communication, costs nothing and is a great way to get pretty immediate support. (You can find the site at http://www.preemie-l.org/welcome.html)

THe other thing is to take lost of pictures. You think you'll never ever forget anything, but it does fade with time. It's so great to be able to look back at how far your little one has come. We even left a disposable camera at our daughters bed-side and the nurses would take photos when she did something "cute", or was just sleeping like an angel. That's how we got the first picture of Maddie with nothing on her face -no c-pap, no ng tube, nothing.

Rachel, mom to Maddie (29 weeker due to severe pre-e, IUGR)

[carter62900]

Hello, something that worked well for me and my husband was to go to the NICU at different times. That way we each had special time with the baby and almost all day one of us were there. We used to race to the sinks to wash our hands when we went together cause we both wanted to hold him first or get to change his diaper. I think having one on one time is improtant for both parents when they are in the NICU.

Deanna

[hellpful_me]

Buy a front carrier (snugli) or a sling for when the baby comes home. This not only helps with bonding and keeping your hands free, but it's also easier to ward off probing hands. You will be suprised at how many strangers will try to swoop in on your preemie in the time it takes to run in and out of a store for diapers.

Jen
Matthew-stillborn @30wks
Ben-Hellp survivor