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Premature Grandson

(91 Posts)
Mandy45 Wed 11-Sept-24 17:14:08

I was wondering if anyone has had to cope with similar circumstances to mine.
My daughter gave birth to our grandson 5 days ago, he was 24 weeks 4 days in the womb. She was luckily found a bed and an neo-natal ICU for the baby. My new grandson is 1lb 1oz tiny. My daughter has requested no visitors to meet the baby due to the high risk of infection to the baby.I have been to see her once as she doesn't want a lot of visitors again I fully support her decision to protect the baby as much as possible.
My daughter is sending photos and videos daily.
I feel so helpless and my heart aches for them all.
Here's the problem we have booked a 10 day break about 1hr 30 mins from home, my daughter wants us to go,telling us that if baby takes a turn for the worse she will let my husband and I know. We desperately need a break my health has been very poor this year. My head tells me to go and come back if needed,my heart tells me to stay at home closer to the hospital . Any advice would be welcome, but please keep it nice, I'm struggling as it us

Calipso Sat 21-Sept-24 13:47:50

Mandy45

I thought I'd update everyone ,thank you for your kind messages. We went away but we're called back home after 2 days away
My heart is breaking as I write this. My grandson caught an infection which caused major complications, and at 11 days old he died in his father's arms.

My heart goes out to you and your family in your grief flowers

RosiesMaw2 Sat 21-Sept-24 13:41:09

I am so very sorry to hear your heart-breaking news. Every sympathy to the young couple and to you the grandparents ❤ ♥

Ladyleftfieldlover Sat 21-Sept-24 13:30:06

I’ve just seen your news, Mandy. I am so very sorry. 🌹

Indigo8 Sat 21-Sept-24 13:27:25

Sorrythanks

Indigo8 Sat 21-Sept-24 13:25:45

I am so sorry to hear your news. I am sure you must all be feeling devastated. My heart goes out to you.[thanks}

MissAdventure Sat 21-Sept-24 13:22:53

Oh I am so, so sorry to read that.
My condolences to all of you.
How very sad x

Mandy45 Sat 21-Sept-24 13:19:02

I thought I'd update everyone ,thank you for your kind messages. We went away but we're called back home after 2 days away
My heart is breaking as I write this. My grandson caught an infection which caused major complications, and at 11 days old he died in his father's arms.

Greengage Tue 17-Sept-24 18:51:54

Only just seen this post, but thought I would add to it. My son was born 40 years ago at 25 weeks weighing just 1lb 13oz. He spent 4 months in hospital and was 5lbs 4oz when he finally came home.
Definitely enjoy your break away while your grandchild is being well cared for in hospital. You can be of great help over the years to come once he is home.
Wishing you and your family many happy years to come.

LJP1 Mon 16-Sept-24 18:00:12

Go. Your grandson has every chance of growing up to live a normal life - though he may need glasses. There are worse things to look forward to! Enjoy looking forward to meeting him in the near future.

pinkprincess Sun 15-Sept-24 21:22:20

Sorry for typos and missing words I am getting tired!

pinkprincess Sun 15-Sept-24 21:20:47

I know how you must feel about going away just now, you do not know to stay at home or not, everyone is different in this situation.
One of my granddaughters was at 30 weeks not as early as your little one but a worrying time still.She was in hospital for 5 weeks and is now 28 years old so days seem so long ago now!
My father and his twin sister were premature born at home in 1918.My grandmother was told neither of them would see the next day. In those days it was prayers alone for very small babies. The priest came to the house to baptise them, and they did see the next day and many more afterwards.Both married and brought up families before dying( my father at 72 my aunt at 82). I cannot ever remember either of them having any illness before they hit old age. My mother said my dad could go out in the snow wearing only a thick jumper and never suffer.
There premature babies surprise all the time.

KVW27 Sun 15-Sept-24 15:46:33

Yes Ashcombe I meant to say its Bliss and they support sick and premature babies and their families. ❤️

Luckygirl3 Sun 15-Sept-24 08:04:29

You can still support your DD as now from a little further away. Hoping for progress with the little one.

Ashcombe Sun 15-Sept-24 07:36:32

This could be the charity you mean, KVW27

www.bliss.org.uk/

It was formed shortly after my long awaited daughter arrived (our eldest is adopted) and needed special care but she wasn’t premature but large at 10lbs 1oz so a difficult delivery. I was quite involved with fundraising for Bliss for many years.

My heart goes out to Mandy45 and the parents and little one. 💐✝️💐

KVW27 Sun 15-Sept-24 07:06:00

I rarely reply to posts on Gransnet but I really wanted to respond to yours Mandy. I apologise for taking 4 days but I must say that I’m very glad you’ve decided to go away and that is the advice I would have given. My heart goes out to you and your family. Our first child was born in 1985 when I was only 26 weeks pregnant with him. He only lived for half an hour but then he was 2 weeks below legal viability. Most babies born at his gestation then did not survive then but how things have changed in nearly 40 years. In 2018 our first grandchild was born at 30 weeks due to a placental abruption. Both he and my daughter very nearly didn’t survive and his 6 week NICU stay was a real rollercoaster ride. Ultimately though he is thriving and has just started Year 2 at school. I found it extremely hard but did my best to support my daughter and her husband. Before my daughter had another baby she received counselling and was assured that it was very unlikely to happen again. While pregnant with her 2nd child she was given a 7% chance of having another premature baby and discharged from the early labour prevention clinic at 23 weeks. Then her waters broke, only a trickle at 27 weeks and she was admitted to hospital. At 29 weeks they could no longer prevent labour and her 2nd child was born. He fortunately had a very straightforward NICU stay and came home over a month before his due date. He too is thriving and loving nursery. He was born in April 2021 when there were still Covid restrictions so we couldn’t meet him until he was discharged. Our support was looking after his older brother virtually 24/7 some of the time. I know my grandsons weren’t as early or as small as your little one (both just over 3 lbs) but I understand your anxiety and feeling of helplessness. There is a wonderful charity for premature babies and their families and I think it would be worth you contacting them. They had a presence in the NICU our grandsons were in and they were marvellously supportive. Please keep us posted on how everything is going OP and I and many others I’m sure will be thinking of you all and praying/rooting for your precious tiny grandson ❤️

Sycamore123 Fri 13-Sept-24 05:57:44

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!

Grams2five Fri 13-Sept-24 03:39:25

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.

Freshair Fri 13-Sept-24 00:56:43

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

4allweknow Fri 13-Sept-24 00:17:39

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.

Greenfinch Thu 12-Sept-24 20:15:02

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

Rainnsnow Thu 12-Sept-24 17:19:01

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

Shill29 Thu 12-Sept-24 17:14:02

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

Lisaangel10 Thu 12-Sept-24 17:06:47

How is the little grandson doing?

Brismum Thu 12-Sept-24 16:44:43

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

VerbenaGirl Thu 12-Sept-24 16:09:54

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.