I gave birth to my son on Feb 9. He was 1lb 10oz when he was born. So far he has had surgery on his bowels and a few blood transfusions. I'd like responses from parents with a preemie who is in the NICU now. What are good questions to ask the nurses and doctors. I always draw a blank when they come around and ask do I have any. I'd also love to hear some success stories from preemie parents. Thanks a lot in advance!
2007-03-09 23:25:39 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
They really don't expect you to have a lot of questions.
2007-03-09 23:29:20 · answer #1 · answered by Celeste P 7 · 3⤊ 7⤋
God Bless you and your baby. I'm sure all will turn out well. I have not personally gone through this, but my friend of 20 years did. She gave birth to a 2lb baby with Spina bifida about a year ago. She spent every waking moment in the NICU. I was there with her many times. I remember them telling her how important it was to breast feed, not sure if you are able to but try! Ask them about anything, there are no stupid questions. Ask about his weight gain, how much you should expect, ask about what you can do to help him emotionally. I knew my friend was told to touch her baby's hand as much as possible. Talking to her helps comfort the baby too. My friends baby had 5 surgery's before coming home. She was 2 months old when she cam home. She is now a very busy baby that calls everything she sees "cat". She is a joy! I wish you the VERY BEST LUCK!! Congratulations you already seem to be a very caring mother!!
2007-03-10 07:35:34 · answer #2 · answered by Jm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had my baby when I was 27 weeks pregnant. He weighted only 926 grams (about 2 pounds) and was never measured because he was so critical at the beginig.
My baby had to be intubated for 29 days because his lungs were not mature, but after those 29 days, his life turn different and he began to gain weight. Although, he spent 73 days in NICU. He came home with 1 kilo 830 grams. Now he is 9 kilo 300 grams ( a bit more than 20 pounds) and is 72 centimeters (a bit longer than 28 inches).
- There will be lots of ups and downs specially the first month. Lungs, heart, intestines, brain are still forming, so there is a chance of problem with them.
- Try to breastfeed your baby. Pump in your home and in NICU must be a place for moms to pump their breast. When baby reaches 1 kilogram, ask to fortifie your milk with ENFAMIL or SIMILAC human milk fortifier. My baby used it and he gained weight fast.
- Pray a lot. If you are catholic, pray to the Virgin of Miracles...she helped my baby.
- Touch your baby, talk, sing to him/she. Put the music (if NICU personnel allows it) you used when your baby was in the womb.
- Take pictures for you to see the progress week by week.
- Expect a long time stay in NICU for your baby.
- Rest as much as you can when you are in home, you have to be ready and rest when your baby comes home.
- NEVER cry in front of your baby. She/he can feel your tears and sorrow.
- Ask nurses to train you in simple things like bathing your baby, changing diapers, giving medicine, etc and also aks to be trained for baby cpr.
- Always tell doctors to tell you everything about your baby.
- Expect many blood transfusions and exams for yoyr baby.
When your baby goes home, your baby will have very special needs. You will have to take her/him to many specialist doctors such as ophthalmologist, othorrinolaringologist, gastroenterologist, pneumonologist, neurologist, etc, for regular check ups until he reaches 24 months old.
My baby is now 12 months old. He's doing just fine. He crawls, cruises on furniture, sings, like a regular baby of his cronological age.
2007-03-10 09:07:33 · answer #3 · answered by nenaramirez 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The other posters have given you great info.
I also wanted to recommend the yahoo group "preemiesorg". This is a great place to share information and get support from other preemie parents.
They also have a website www.preemie.org
2007-03-10 09:11:15 · answer #4 · answered by sharkyincanada 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My advise to you.
Get the pik line as soon as possible.
Breastfeed your baby, if you have not, you can re-milk, ask the nurse, that is her best chance of proper growth. (No I did not say only chance)
Take 100's of pictures.
Remember th ere will be set backs,
PRAY.
As far as questions to ask, there are not many standard questions to ask. If you want to know, ask to see what happened while you were away, ask them to explain the baby's chart to you. They have to show it to you.
Take good care of yourself, Eat right, get as much sleep as you can. When baby comes home, you won't sleep much, He will be used to being woke up every few hours, and he will need to eat ever 2 hours.
2007-03-10 08:27:46 · answer #5 · answered by Renee B 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋