IVF

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

lovely to hear that Granma60

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.

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?

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.

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

Thank Whenim64 you have set my mind at rest yet again

Sorry, Grandma60 losing the plot!

I had a lovely suprise when I logged on to my email today. Photo's of my son and DIL holding their babies for the first time! I know there will probably be more problems along the way. This time last week there were more infections and lung problems to deal with but today they looked so happy.

Ah, lovely, Grandma60. Things are looking up. I have a lovely photo of my daughter and SIL holding their babies for the first time in the SCBU. The smile on their faces was fantastic to see.

That's fabulous Grandma60. I still remember clearly the very first time I held my premature daughter when she came off her ventilator - and that was 35 years ago! This afternoon that baby is hoping to hold her little nephew (our grandson) for the first time, here thanks to the wonders of science and IVF. It is partly knowledge gained through treating babies like my daughter all that time ago that now makes it possible for babies born even earlier, like your tiny twins, to survive and eventually thrive.

Seeing those pictures has made such a difference. 1 twin is now in high dependancy. The other is going to be in intensive care for a couple more days. But what a difference a week has made. It is amazing how far science has come in the last generation. IVF is a difficult road to take. My son and DIL have been through so much in the last 4 years but at last are seeing their reward. The dedication of the staff in.SCBU is wonderful as well. Lifecycle I hope you have had a lovely day with your little grandson and the rest of your family.

Good to hear how the babies are progressing, Grandma60. Did you notice tiny hand knitted hats and blankets in the incubators? At our local SCBU they have a steady supply of the most beautiful knitted clothes and blankets for preemie babies, which are made by lots of volunteer knitters. It was comforting to see them amongst all the wires and technology.

My DD had a problem passing them on, though. The hospital wouldn't take them back as they'd been worn by her twins, obviously, so she just had to put them in the charity bag...

I think that's why they have a continuous supply, Ana. My daughter passed a few things on to other twin mums who had premature babies, when they were discharged from hospital. The clothes often end up on dolls. It's so kind of the volunteers to make them. One of my grandaughters was lain on the most beautiful quilt, which was made from Winnie the Pooh fabric. Once out of SCBU, it was given to her and is now in her baby memory box, along with the tiniest babygrow I have ever seen.

Oh, it's so moving when you see the tinyness of their first clothes, isn't it? Especially now that our twins have eventually caught up and are in their age-appropriate size range!

I noticed on the day we went that they had lovely patchwork quilts. Maybe thats where they came from. Tiny knitted hats as well. Still only in nappies as they are still in.incubators but I have just posted 2 little babygrows that are the size of my grandaughters dolls clothes. My daughter sent blankets with their names and birthday on and they are now allowed to use them . My grandaughter weighed 9lb at birth and had grown.out of some clothes before she was born!

oh there was something on "Surprise surprise" about 2 weeks ago....it was lady that altered or did something with little babaygrows...they had studs on the sleeves etc and it was so that the little tiny prem babies or just tiny babies could wear the grows even if hooked up to all the wires and equipment...the parents took so much joy in actualy having their little bundles in proper clothing..i'm sure if you googled something it will come up.

Yes I missed that programme. We have had some good news though. The bigger twin has graduated from an incubator to a cot and is now wearing T shirts that come down to his ankles. It has made dil feel so much better being able to dress him and.hold him. The little 1 is putting on weight as well. They will still be in hospital for some time as they are still tube fed. We are going to see them again later this month and are hoping for a cuddle