Babies in NICU?

Question

Hi, I just gave birth to twins on Monday and they are still in NICU, I was just trying to get advice from other parents out there who have had or has children in NICU. What was your experience like? Any advice will help, thanks in advance.

Answer 1

hello.
My son was born on 6/20 and was 5 and a half weeks early. He weighed 4 lbs, 3.6 ounces at birth. He was born with a collapsed lung and his cord around his neck. He is now up to 6 lbs, 14 ounces. He had to spend only 9 days in the NICU, but it truly was the hardest 9 days of my life. I was lucky in that my husband and I were able to make it to almost all of the care times for him. He was on the cpap machine for his 1st and 2nd night, oxygen for his 3rd night and room air after that. It took him 6 days to get up to full feeds. My advice to you is to take time for yourself. Do something each day that will get your mind off of the situation if only for 5 minutes. That was all I could do to keep myself from crying constantly. Also, try to join a support group. I joined the "preemie-l" group on yahoo groups. The March of Dimes website has a good group as well. I live in Montana, where there are no groups around here that I can meet with, so online is the next best thing. Make sure to really get involved. Always ask questions and make your wishes known to the nurses. Good luck!

Answer 2

I had twin boys....I had them at 34 weeks they have been 4lbs a million ozan sixteen inches an 4lbs 11 ozan sixteen a million/2 inches.... that they had a 2 week stay in nicu an a million week interior the pediatric unit.... i replaced into there the 1st week with them bc I had preclampsia an c sec an I had to recover from that an then the 2nd week I had to pass abode i replaced into unhappy an cried typical I called approximately 15 or extra circumstances an afternoon to comprehend how they have been...I cried plenty interior the well-being center bc I felt like my physique had enable them to down an now they have been suffering...the time they spent there they had to be on video show contraptions an c pap an feeding tube an decrease than billie easy for jaundice.... that they had numerous coronary heart dips or bradys an afternoon yet those stopped an they did no longer pass them to pediatric unit til they stopped however the wires an ivs an all that wasn't frightening basically tricky to ascertain my little boys dealing with plenty... I have been given to return while they went to pediatrics an stay in a room with them for the final week we got here abode on august thirty first an have been born august eleventh...they have been tiny the two nevertheless decrease than 7 lbs yet now they're basically approximately 11 months an healthful chuffed an doing great no long term problems in any respect...i'm hoping all is properly an would god be with ur infant...if u would desire to vent i comprehend how u experience i replaced into tricky on myself an very emotional the finished time. yet those nurses are gods angles I swear they're miralce workers...take care.

Answer 3

My experience was not nice at all. I was taken into the NICU before my daughter was born because I went into premature labour. So i knew what to expect, but it was the hardest thing seeing my baby in the incubator and i couldnt touch her or help her. I hope I never have another baby go into the NICU ever.

Answer 4

I believe much of your experience in the NICU is what you make it. Try to be there for as many of the feedings as possible and pump breast milk for them, it's much easier for them to digest. When they get bigger and can have baths, many parents cherish bath time with their babies in the NICU. Be patient and remember they are there for their health. Also, remember that the babies are on strict schedules that must be followed for their health and the health of other patients in the NICU. The nurses must follow the schedules and guidelines. Good luck!

Answer 5

My daughter was in NICU for a week and it was awful. I was discharged long before her and I went in every three hours to feed her. They wouldn`t let me stay ... I hated every moment that she was in there.
However, the nurses were terrific. They really cared about the babies and took great pride in them. If nothing else, when I did go home for a quick nap I knew she was with the highest of qualified babysitters!
It seems like eons, but it will only days or weeks and then they`ll be home with you :)

Answer 6

HI
My son was in th NICU for ten days. His lungs were not mature yet. He was on a ventilator for breathing, chest tubes and the works.
My experience with the NICU where we live was fabulous. They saved my son's life. Don't worry, your babies will be just fine. This is all Neonatologist do!

Answer 7

I hated the NICU.

I know, it was probably "better" for the baby and all - he was born at 32 weeks, 4 lbs 6.6 oz..

BUT... I hated those nurses. Everything had to be done on THEIR schedule. The babies were fed on THEIR schedule, and I was only allowed to hold my own baby when THEY said so, etc. I hated the whole experience.

BUT... I was pretty sick, too, so I'm glad they DID take care of him, becasue that first week I could NOT have done it.

Answer 8

Spend as much time as you can with them - touch them even if you must wear gloves - express your milk for feeding them they need the colostrum and your milk is better than any formula - talk to them.
My first born was 1 month early and was in NICU for 2 weeks (the Dr expected more) the nurses encouraged me to be with her - feed her and talk to her they said it would help her thrive. She is now 19 and a pip so just be there for them it will be OK.

Answer 9

Listen to the nurses and learn all you can about caring for preemies.

My best friends grand-daughter was born last year two months early. In the past couple of weeks she was finally taken off the high risk list.

You will probably need to keep your twins away from others until their immunity system gets stronger. Being preemies they are at a higher risk from colds, flu etc. Be prepared that the doctor will want them on a breathing monitor. There is strap that goes around their chest and is wired to monitor. If they stop breathing the monitor will go off and alert you that you need tend to them.

since they are preemies, they would greatly benefit from being breastfeed. The antibodies in your milk will help them get stronger quicker.

Answer 10

some say it is hard to go and visit but do it as often as you can, when your tired, visit, on your lunch break, visit, you being there lets them know they are ok and it has been proven if the mother talks to their baby the baby will get better faster. They know your voice better than anyone's, so just talk to them,not baby talk, just say what you feel, it will make all 3 of you feel better.