IVF

Sorry, Grandma60 losing the plot!

Thank Whenim64 you have set my mind at rest yet again

Don't worry - the nurses will be ensuring they get their quota of milk as the infection levels reduce. They sometimes keep feeding levels low whilst the baby is having certain medication because it curdles and makes them sick. Look after yourself, Granny60

Hello Whenim64 No unfortunatly although they did gain weight they have lost it + a little more besides due to the other problems they have had. I find that worrying as little one was only.1.5 pounds in the first place. It is really just their lungs that seem to cause problems. Brain scans, heart valves and digestion all seem to be ok.

Nice to hear from you, Grandma60. Infections are common and you might notice that they move incubators out of some rooms and do a complete professional deep clean top to bottom, not just treat the babies. It was like musical chairs in our local SCBU, but all part of keeping on top of things. I hope it gets sorted out quickly. Are the babies gaining any weight now they've been here for a few weeks?

Thanyou Whenim64 andBikergran I am so glad that I found Gransnet. Your messages of support have been so much help. Heard this morning that the little one has got over the infection but the other one now has it and that they will both be on ventilators for time now. Still they are 4 weeks old on Monday and hearing of your experiences help me to except that these things are to be expected for a while.

lovely to hear that Granma60

Glad it went well, Grandma60 your grandbabies will have been listening with interest, I'm sure. The nurses used to show my daughter and SIL how their babies' heart rates and respiration responded to hearing mum and dad singing and talking to them. They've done well to have time off their respiration and show they can breathe for themselves - it uses up energy, but they'll do more for themselves as the days go by.

Lifecycle it's great to hear your little one is coming on nicely. We have such a lot to thank the IVF people for. My daughters both took their twin babies back to their respective IVF treatment centres to show how well they'd done.

Thanks Lifecycle I really appreciate your messages of encouragement. I am trying to focus on them moving on and getting stonger. I am over the bug but still don't feel well with the stress of it all. I worry when my son doesn't phone and then panic when, the phone rings!
Its lovely to hear you are enjoying your grandson. IVF can bring such joy. I am praying that we will feel that soon.

Hello grandma60. Glad your little grandsons are holding their own though up & down and on & off the ventilators is par for the course at this stage, though very upsetting for you all of course. You can remind them of that when they're older. The Gruffalo is an excellent choice of book for them too, nothing too soppy but lovely make believe! The most upsetting side is seeing the babies parents upset, very painful for you, but they will be comforted knowing you have seen their babies. Our little ivf grandson is 4 weeks' old now, developing well. Just been to see him and his parents again and he really is cute! Look after yourself too, hope you are fully recovered from the bug you had.

Well we have been back a couple of days now. So relieved that I have now seen my tiny grandsons. I thought I was prepared for how small they would be but was still.very shocked . It was upsetting seeing my son and dil looking so drained as well. My son asked me to read them a Gruffalo book! It seemed strange but the nurse said it was good for them to hear voices. The babies were having a good day and were off their ventalators when we were there but have been back on them since and the smaller one has infection. Apparantly this is to be expected but it is such a roller-coaster. I must say, though that we are full of admiration for the doctors and nrses at, he unit and feel confident that they are in the best hands.

Thank you so much Whenim64 for setting my mind at rest. All packed and ready to get the coach tomorrow morning. We usually fly but were unsure when we would be travelling. Can't believe we are actually going to see them. They will be 3 weeks old on Monday.

grandma60 the oxygen issue is addressed so carefully, with a monitor to measure amounts given and present in the preemie baby's system, and maintained oxygen levels is one of the criteria for being discharged home. I'm sure a few babies will have susceptibility to asthma and chronic lung infections which can be managed, and 50% of very premature babies have some issues that mean they still have hospital appointments a year or so later, to ensure their development is optimised. One of ours is just starting to say words at 2 and 4 months, whilst the other was chatting six months ago, but she's coming along nicely. She hasn't been discharged by the paediatrician until he's satisfied that she doesn't need additional help (she's in an educational nursery twice a week with her sister now).

Yes I keep wondering if they miss each other. Good to know that yours are ok now after the oxygen problems. I have been wondering if it would cause lasting damage but I have been afraid to say that out loud.

I remember our little ones being put back on respiration and the CPAP machine throughout their time in incubators and then their cots, each time oxygen levels lowered. The parents were taught resuscitation, too, but fortunately the need didn't arise.

It's all so very different from the usual experiences with new babies. Strange to go looking for doll-size clothes (Boots have a good range), but lovely to see them in their own clothes after a few weeks. And something to look forward to is seeing them side by side again, in a cradle.

Thankyou for your good wishes. I am longing to see them but a bit apprehensive as well. My son rang earlier. They are still struggling with oxygen levels but are feeding again so good and bad news I suppose. My son and dil have been through so much to get this far. I will let you know how it goes.

Hope the much longed-for visit goes well, grandma60. I was overawed when I first set foot in the SCBU and broke down as I was leaving the unit, but my daughter and SIL were with their babies then. I was ok next time and started to learn about the incubators and wires. There were lots of funny times, too - one of the babies used to boogie down her incubator, off the 'nest' she was supposed to be sleeping on, and the other would remove her monitors - they'd be found clasped in her tiny hand. Even at this tiny size, their personalities show themselves. Wondrous to see, and the sophistication of their care will impress you.

You'll probably be very busy tomorrow grandma60 so just to wish you Bon Voyage for Saturday and pleased to know your GP feels you are fine to go. Make the most of your first peek at the little ones and try to see beyond the tubes & wires & beeps, scary as they can seem. Their parents will feel so much better for knowing you have seen their babies & will be well aware of the effort you are making to be there, for them and because you care. There are so many of us wishing them well, take each day as it comes and take care of yourself too. Not easy.

Everyone on here is being so kind it has really made a differnce. I have been to the doctor today as I still don't feel well and I have a sore throat. She chcked me over and said she is sure I am not infectious and thevist will do me good. Also running some blood tests though as this has gone on for some time. So relieved to know I will see, them at last on Saturday. Just hoping so much for a happy ending

Like Anno, I've only just found your posts Grandma60. I really hope you are able to visit and that the babies go from strength to strength.

grandma60, I don't know why I have only just caught up with this thread but I feel for you. I do hope you are able to see the babies soon. x

Thankyou again for your support Whenim64. Think I will feel better once I have seen my tiny grandsons.

Yes, a large percentage of very premature babies are in this position, grandma60 especially if labour started unexpectedly and there was no time for that injection to make their little lungs unsticky. My daughter happened to have the injection at 29 weeks, just in case she went into labour early, as she had been very poorly. They were delivered as an emergency the next week. It's surprising what a difference a few weeks makes. Some may have asthma later on. My grandson (also premature IVF twin, but 35 weeks delivery) has mild asthma but doesn't always need an inhaler and now he's swimming he seems to be growing out if it. Hope you're feeling better yourself soon.

Thanks for your kind words lifecycle. Just spoken to my son. Apparantly they have chronic lung desease which is common in prem babies as you probably know. I m.in a bit of a panic as my sor throat has come back although I am on antibiotics. Think it is probably caused by stress as this has happened to me before. Really don't know what to do. Keep thinking I may leave it too late. Its lovely to hear sucess stories like yours though.

Hello grandma60. Really pleased to hear that the tiny twins are holding their own though it must still be a very worrying time for you all. Your son will be relieved to see you next weekend I'm sure as it's so easy to forget about dads when all the attention seems to be on the babies and mum. In the early pictures of our daughter she is covered in tubes and other equipment but
I still thought her beautiful. 30 years ago grandparents weren't allowed in to special care nurseries and I remember so badly wanting our parents to see her. Did not stop her being very close to both grandmas for years to come. Look after yourself too, you need to be fit next weekend as it's a long journey up. Hugs & best wishes coming your way.