Premature Grandson

Its the gestation thats the main problem not so much the weight, my two sons were 28 & 29 wks weighing 950 grams & 900 grams.Both are now grown up, normal average weights & heights, a few health problems but so lucky to be here.A lady in hosp same time as me with the elder one had her son at nearly 26 weeks- weighing about 800 grams i think, he too is all grown up now, big & strong.We also have had a few other prem babies in our family, doing well now.So try not to worry too much, by overthinking what might or might not happen.Just be guided by your daughter, & the drs, and take your holiday.An hour & a half really isnt that far- weve lived that far away from a lot of the family for last 16yrs.weve still been there when needed.

My heart goes out to you. I was the mother of premmie twins also. Not as small as yours, but so delicate. Their dad could fit DS's head in the crook of his elbow - same DS is now a 6'2" fireman. Take the break, recharge the batteries and get ready for Granny Duty which will come soon enough. Hugs

go and have your break being away will give you space to take everything in, my brothers grandson was born at 25 wks he is now eleven does judo loves surfing happy and healthy love to everyone and your daughter will need a happy healthy mum/ nanny God bless x

Go , she agrees and you aren't far. You will be able to ring or message every day.
Come back rejuvenated ready to help with meals. At that gestation he is unlike to be home for quite a few weeks.

Go - you both need the break and it is not that far to travel back if necessary. I faced a similar dilemma shortly before my mother's death. The Consultant advised me not to change my plans so I'm giving you the same advice. Try and relax as you need your health and strength for grandpa renting! I hope all goes well with the new baby, your daughter and yourselves.

My granddaughter was a 26 weeker ,it is a very worrying time. She is now a 19 year old uni student, very bright and she is the only one in the whole extended family who has never had Covid. Go on your break love - it is not far away if you are needed and if they are like they were here they will be very fussy about visitors to the youngster. The less visitors, the less chance of infection putting it bluntly.

My eldest daughter was born at 27 weeks in 1978, almost the dark ages in premature baby care! She was very determined from her first breath!! She was tube fed until within a couple of days she started to suck her thumb so she was given a bottle and from then on her determination to survive was amazing, she only spent 5 weeks in hospital, came home and just went from strength to strength, even cutting her first tooth at 3 months! She is now a 5’ 9’ very healthy and determined 46 year old with 2 children and living an extremely busy life. Her only drawback is she is always in a hurry! 😉🤗 her paediatrician said this often happens with prem babies!

Do go on your break and build yourself up ready to be a healthy mum and grandma able to give your family as much love, help and support you can.

I pray all goes well for your little grandson and he soon gets to be strong and healthy with the help of the highly trained people in your neonatal unit!!

Congratulations and enjoy your cuddles when you come home!!

I'm a doula and my experience with parents of very premature babies suggest to me that the real time for support from grandparents isn't right now but will most probably start a few weeks from now when your little one goes home. That's when they will need lots of help from you in running their household, cooking, shopping, cleaning and ensuring they can be 100% focussed on their baby.

This is so hard for you and my heart goes out to you. Go away and enjoy the break if you can. I know with my first child (who was six weeks prem and poorly) I was absolutely distraught and I did not WANT the burden of my mother's distress, to add to my own. Emotions are so complex. Blessings to all of you.

So sorry for this very great worry, but the care of premature babies is so good today that I hope and trust to hear that you will soon be rejoicing over a healthy bouncing boy.

DO go away as planned. You need the break, and your daughter wants you to take it and is keeping you up to date with developments.

My nephew was born at the start of my sister's sixth month when the placenta loosened over forty years ago - it was touch and go to start with, but since leaving the maternity unit he has never had any health issues and by the age of 16 was six foot and broad shouldered. I myself weighed 3 lbs at birth in 1951, arriving two months early and have too had no serious health issues.

So with all that can be done today for permature babies, it seems likely this little boy will soon be fit and well.

Do let us know how he does, and your daughter too, of course.

Of course you should go. Obviously your daughter is as caring as you, and she knows that you need this break.
All my good wishes for your grandson.xx

I agree with Bluebell - go! Of course they'll be constantly on your mind but try to enjoy. I know of four babies born at under 2lb. All grown up now, healthy, strapping six footers. And hospitals are far better equipped these days, despite the state of the NHS.

Premature babies do very well nowadays. Please have faith in the hospital. Go and try to enjoy your break. Worrying won't help, though hard not too I'm sure. Wishing your daughter and grandson all the best. X

Do go on your holiday - you're not far from home and the break will do you the world of good. Then come home energised, rejuvenated and better placed to support your daughter. Oh, and congratulations on the new arrival.

I would go Mandy45, you must feel pretty powerless and it may help to take your mind off what is happening. He's likely to be in hospital for a long time and you may be able to help more at a later stage.

Do go. You need the break and will be better placed to support your daughter because of it. If it had been abroad, maybe not - but it's not far away. Congratulations on your new grandchild and all good hopes that they get stronger each day.

As long as you feel okay with it I should go. Your daughter and baby are in the best place and you will come back more able to be there for her. Sending love and prayers for all of you. X

How is the little grandson doing?

I think you should go away and recharge your batteries ready for the weeks ahead. Please let us know how the little one progresses.
My love to you all x

The break may be restorative and you can face time or use zoom. It’s a worrying time for u all and lean on all the support u can get . Best wishes to u all

Glad you are going. It will give a sense of normality to the situation.

Go, you are contactable and within reasonably each reach. My great niece had twin boys at 24 weeks weighing about the same as your GS. Both healthy and 19 years old now. Care has improved massively in 19 years. Congratulations and, enjoy your break.

It's a 'go' from me. Enjoy your break

As someone who is the Nan to a little girl born very prematurely as well I beg you to go. Your daughter says to go
And it won’t be that far away. And really these little
Miracles - they’re a marathon to get thru not a sprint. Which means your daughter , her partner , and your precious grandson by extension need their support
Network to keep strong , well fueled and ready to do whatever is needed. Even if right now it’s nothing. That goes for physically mentally and emotionally. Your trip will leave you better able to recharge
Your battery so as to keep
It going for her. Additionally I know when our sweet girl
Was in the Neo natal icu for many many weeks my daughter shared how
Upset
She was at people canceling plans to “be close by” almost as if they were expecting the bad turn. It felt
Negative to her - and in her hormonal
Emotional state was hurtful.

I will be praying for your daughter and her beautiful baby. Those days are so long.

Has anyone had a feeling of a lump in their throat. I had a cold about 3 weeks ago resulting in a very bad cough, I got a doctors appointment who advised me I had a slight chest infection and put me on a course of antibiotics.
Since then the feeling of something being stuck in my throat has worsened. A side effect of the coughing bouts is that I ‘leak’ which is embarrassing, I’m 80 soon and going abroad for my birthday but tbh I’m dreading it!