how to deal with guilt

[mlcoltrain]

I live in a smaller town in OK and had to be transfered to Oklahoma City for the emergency c-section of my DD on July 24th, she was born at 27 1/2 weeks. As of right now she is doing great and we are just dealing day by day. My question is how do I deal with my DD being in the NICU. The hard part of this is she is in an NICU in OKC, 2hrs away from my home. My husband has to start back to work on Monday, and we don't have any family in the area (military, so we move a lot). And I am not quite emotionally stable yet to be alone. So we have decided to be at home from Mon-Thur, and will be in OKC Fri-Sun. We decided on this since DD isn't quite yet stable enough for a lot of handling and I can only stare at the isolette so much. Once she is more stable for more handling and such, and my emotions are a little more under control, I will stay up there more with DH coming up for long weekends. But until that point, How do I deal with the feelings about leaving her and not being there for her everyday? Will she really know and realize that I am not there? There is also some insane part of me that is afraid she is gonna start bonding with her nurses before we get a chance to bond. Guilt is an odd emotion and I am not quite sure how to deal with all the different feelings of guilt I have.

Michelle
DD - Morgan 7/24/04 at 27 1/2wks (severe PE/HELLP/low fluid)

[jenn]

Michelle,
Hi and welcome. And let's not forget, CONGRATS on your new baby! [:)]
27 wkr, I bet she's just a lil' peanut.
So sorry for what has happened, many of us including myself know what this feels like.
How is she doing (health wise)?

I too was sent to a hospital 60 some odd miles from home and it was so hard. My DH had to work and I was lucky to stay at a near by Ronald McDonald house and be with her daily.
Is this something that is avil. to you?
Have you talked with a hospital social worker about ooptions during this hard time?
You might like to if you haven't.

Emotionally this is soo hard, I know, please accept my love and hugs! Being sent pronto'!
Health wise how are you doing?
Lil' peanut needs a healthy mommy first, please take good care of yourself.
Guilt is something I felt as well. My pg ended without my perfect "baby Story" ending and I was crushed. And to share my baby with the hospital staff was no easy task. Those first diaper changes, baths, and cuddles were for me only. Hard to understand her health got in the way. Let the hosptial know that when you are able to be there with her, you take care of her needs (changing, cuddle time, the works)
I don't want to ramble, so please let me know if there is anything I can do. Know prayers are coming your way.
Sending lots of love to you and your new family!!!


Jennie (24)
Shad DH (29)

Jaidyn 1.24.01 (30 wkr)
Severe PE/HELLP
2lb. 12oz.
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/j/jaid/

Natalia Rosse
Due Thanksgiving day!
11.25.04
Natalia's web page
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/n/nataliarosse/

[sandy]

Hi Michelle,
I responded to your post in the "roll call" forum. Also just wanted to add that talking with the Social Worker at the hospital is an excellent idea from the previous post.

Had forgotten about that. The SW at the hospital my DD was at was an excellent source of support.

It's tough to know about these things when you haven't been through something like this before.

~Sandy/DD born via emergency C at 35 wks/1 day June '03 due to Severe PE/class III HELLP

CAUGHT THE EGG!! Estimated hatch date: 3/13/05; scheduled C at 39 weeks...or earlier if needed.

[deerhart]

another things some hospitals do is offer rooms for parents of babies in the NICu to stay in. I know when Mason had to stay the hospital discharged me but told me if I wanted to stay the night they would provide me a room at no charge.

Most places will have some support and help for parents with children in the NICU, the suggestions above of contacting them are great!

Erin

Moderator - Parents of Preemies
Missouri State Coordinator
Mommy to Alex (4)and Mason (1 1/2)
Law Student - 1 year done, 2 to go

[wcarder]

Hi, Michelle.
I had a thirty weeker who spent five weeks in the NICU. Luckily, I lived close by, but I remember meeting a number of parents who were in similar situations to yours and trying to imagine what is would be like to have to make those choices. honestly, I can't imagine, and I am so sorry you are in that situation. The SW is a great place to look for answers. Also, does your nicu promote kangaroo care? Maybe your morgan is too tiny right now, but when mine was in the nicu, I would just hold her on my chest, skin to skin, for as long as I could. They would close the curtains around her isolette and darken the lights. It is suppose to be really great for bonding and infant development as well. It is so hard to share your baby, and have to leave your baby, and not be able to bring your baby home. You absolutely have to do what is best for you, emotionally and otherwise. I do not at all think that she will hold it against you, nor will it hinder your relationship with her as she grows older, if you are unable to be with her every moment. Guilt is a hard thing to deal with, and I know you must be dealing with so many more emotions, as well. I wish you luck. Congrats on your little morgan. I hope she gets big and comes home quick!
Wendy
DH ~ Ryan
DD~ Kenzie Celeste, 30 weeks GA, severe PE

[mlcoltrain]

Thank you all for your well wishes. Morgan is doing really well right now, she was 705grams (@1lb 9oz) and 14inches at birth. She is up in weight to about 875grams. She was put on the ventilator shortly after birth but only for a day or so, she has since been back on it 2x, but again for only a day or so, and one time she even pulled the tube out herself. Right now she is only on oxygen and holding her own. She has been getting a few ounces of breast milk every couple ours through a tube down her mouth into her stomach, this is the 2nd try on BM and so far she has been tolerating it better this time. It's tough to leave her, I kept telling my DH that she is my baby, I should be allowed to take her home... but I know she is in the best place for her and when she is ready she will come home.

There is a Ronald McDonald house near the hospital and a Parent's Hotel (with only 7rooms) just outside the NIC. And we will be utilizing them more when I am ready to stay by myself. The hospital does have the kangaroo care program, but as of now Morgan is too small, but as soon as she is bigger we will be doing it.

[jenn]

Well Ms. Morgan- kiddo' you got spunk! Go fighting spirit!!!
Jai wiggled her fingers under her nose canula and pulled it out as well. Is'nt that amazing what they can do being that small?!
Your b/f, how wonderful! May that continue to go well for you guys! I know that takes serious effort.
I'm jealous of this "Parent's Hotel" you speak of. If only that was aval. to us when we needed it.
I'm happy it's there for you and DH during this time.
Know we are here for you anytime you need.
In fact feel free to e-mail me anytime you need: DjDivaJennie@yahoo.com

You are an amazing mom to have a baby with this spunk!
She'll be in your arms snuggling in no time!
Remember that good things come in small packages ;o)
Mine is now a 3 1/2 yr. terror!
Sending love an prayers!



Jennie (24)
Shad DH (29)

Jaidyn 1.24.01 (30 wkr)
Severe PE/HELLP
2lb. 12oz.
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/j/jaid/

Natalia Rosse
Due Thanksgiving day!
11.25.04
Natalia's web page
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/n/nataliarosse/

[5miraclez]

That's great that your baby is gaining weight and doing well. I just wanted to add to everything that everyone else has said. Try not to feel guilty about leaving her. I've had 4 preemies now. It doesn't get any easier leaving them but I think by the fourth I realized that the baby was still going to love me and bond with me despite me not being at the bedside everyday. My earliest spent 7 weeks in the NICU and we live an hour away from the hospital. We also only have one car and my husband had to work. It was near impossible to be there for more than a couple of times a week. I felt so guilty but he is now a happy and healthy 3 year old who loves his mommy and doesn't have a clue about how much time he spent away from me.

Have the nurses save the firsts for you. We put up a sign next to the bed that just stated when we would be there and to please save the first bath, first feeding etc. for mommy. I also called in every day and just talked to the nurse. Sometimes I would call a few times a day to just check up on the baby. The nurses totally understand.

Hang in there and Congratulations!

DD 4/1/00 35wks severe preeclampsia
DS 7/9/01 29wks severe preeclampsia/HELLP, placental abruption
DD 12/8/02 31wks severe preeclampsia/HELLP, polyhydramnios
DD 6/7/04 32wks severe preeclampsia

[hannahsmom]

Michelle - I'm so glad there is a Ronald McDonald House there. We lived an hour from the hospital where dd was born so we stayed at RMH off and on for 4 months. I received sooo much support from the other parents at the house. It was truly amazing to have other parents going through the exact same thing I was going through. Please consider staying there. My dd was born at 26.5 weeks. I, too, felt terrible leaving her in the NICU, but I had to put my trust and faith in the doctors and nurses. They ended up being my angels on earth. I agreed to all treatments they suggested, and Hannah turned out just fine. I just had to trust them. I also thought dd would bond with the nurses instead of with me - but the only thing the nurses did was spoil her rotten! [:p] I must say she deserved it, though. You are in my thoughts and prayers and email me anytime.

Best wishes!

Suzanne
Mommy to Miss Hannah Rose
26.5 weeker born 8/24/01
severe pre-e & IUGR
1 pound, 1 ounce
12 inches
Miracles do happen!

[momathelete]

Michelle,

Congrats on your baby girl! She will be home with you in no time at all. In the grand scheme of things anyway. I bet every day feels like a lifetime now. Gosh, when I look back at my two stays there, it does become blurry. The first time I was there constantly, but for the second, I could not be there since I had another one to take care of. Gosh, the guilt is bad but there is nothing you can do. Since I have been through it now, I would do it a little differently. I think I would have eased up on the visits. They just about exhausted me, trying to juggle so much at a time. Think of the nurses as the most expensive babysitters you will ever have. They are great and they understand most circumstances. I bet if you left a note, they would save the firsts for you. For my first, they bathed my son and told me when I came in. I think my first thougtht was -well, at least he had someone who was experienced to do it. I didn't have the most confidence in my ability to do it at the time and I was quite releived. Now, I think that is bad! See, we all have such crazy emotions going on. YOu are the mom and your baby will know you since she remembers your voice from when she was in the womb. Babies can't tell time and their reference isn't accurate to realize that a long time has passed. Well, that is my opinion.

Anyway, you are doing great. You are concerned for your baby, you are reaching out and you are going to be a great mom!!!



Michelle
Moderator -On Bedrest
Interim Local Coordinator -Illinois

mom to Cole (HELP pregnancy, 28 wkr) 5 yrs old
Lainey (preE pregnancy, 29 wkr) 2 yrs old
Ella (PIH, 17 wks bedrest, 37 wkr) 1 yr old