Please reassure me!

Thanks for your replies and hand-holding. I'm trying to be positive, especially when I talk to my son and daughter-in-law. All they want is to have their family together, and introduce the new baby to his big brother!

If he's feeding from mum that's good news indeed as it'll help build him up and fight infection. Hope it continues. x

Congratulations on your new grandchild. I don’t have any experience in premature babies but just to say my thoughts are with you.

Sorry to hear you’re having that worry Artsandcraftsnanny. I hope and pray the test results bring encouraging news.

Update today, it's a bit of a roller coaster. They did a lumbar puncture and initial results suggest he may have meningitis, although it seems like it may be a mild infection. The final results won't come for a few days, so it's wait and see. Doctors warned of possible developmental delays and hearing problems, which is worrying. He's on antibiotics, and back on low levels of oxygen.

He has been able to feed from mum today, so that's one positive!

CongratulationsArtsandcraftsnanny on the birth of the new baby. I'm sure he will receive the best of care but its a trying time for you so make sure you take care of yourself as well. best wishes.

Artsandcrafts I'm not surprised by your good news as the staff in these units are brilliant and reassuring. So glad that things have worked out well x

Great news! So lovely that you got so much friendly support here

Artsandcraftsnanny I’m delighted to read your update. I hope you’re feeling a bit more settled today.

Thank you Squiffy

That's wonderfully positive news Artsandcraftsnanny! Onwards and upwards

Much better news this morning, he's off the ventilator (after trying to pull the tube out himself!), and sats are good. Much more alert, and he has now pulled out the feeding tube too. Doctors are testing for infections because it's unusual for a 37 week baby to need so much support, but they aren't particularly concerned.

Thank you for the hand holding last night, it helped. x

Grandma11 your granddaughters sound wonderful, and very healthy! Hopefully we'll get some good news today.

Our youngest Daughter had a tendency to give birth prematurely with her three daughters, DGD1 was born at 35 weeks weighing 4lb 10oz, DGD2 was born at 34weeks weighing 5lb 1oz, and DGD3 Arrived at 32weeks weighing 4lb 5 oz, they all spent time in the Special care baby unit receiving support and ventilation for a few days after they were born, before being upgraded to a normal cot for a few days prior to being discharged.
The eldest one will be 14 this year, she loves Sport and Swimming, her sister is 11, a right Chunky Monkey and a bit of a 'Couch potato' given half a chance, but she loves to cook and bake, and looking at her you would never believe that she was born so early. The youngest Sister is now 8, and the only one who was prescribed special formulae milk for premature babies, being the smallest of the three, and following the recommended guidelines at the time, she grew rapidly and is dreaming of starting Horse riding lessons as soon as the Covid restrictions are lifted. I'm sure that given time, your new arrival will soon be able to graduate from the Special care baby unit and start to grow into normal family life. Good Luck, I know it's rather stressful and worrying for you all at the moment, but I'm sure he will be fine.

Grannynannywanny

Artsandcraftsnanny congratulations on your new grandson. My cousin’s daughter was rushed to hospital on Christmas Day with a very heavy bleed due to placenta praevia . She had an emergency c-section and baby girl delivered 6 weeks prematurely.

After 6 days on a ventilator she was breathing on her own and by 2 weeks old was home from hospital and thriving. I had a message from them today. Their beautiful baby now weighs 9lbs.
Try not to worry too much. Easy for me to say I know. But I’m sure all will be fine.

That must have been terrifying for everyone! I'm so happy to hear that the baby is doing well now, I really hope I'm able to update this thread with equally good news about my little grandson soon. Thank you for sharing!

katek thank you.

Oldbat1

Try not to worry too much. When my twins were born they arrived 12 weeks early weighing 3lbs each - this was 1980. Both were in intensive care one for 6wks and one for 10wks and had to be tube fed. Congratulations.

I'll try, your experience makes me feel less worried, thank you!

Marydoll

This happened to my daughter, she was a week in ICU and is now a healthy 35 year old.
There have been so many advances in medicine since she was born. Trust the medical staff.
Hoping you will come back with good news.

Thank you, that makes sense. I hope so too.

Artsandcraftsnanny congratulations on your new grandson. My cousin’s daughter was rushed to hospital on Christmas Day with a very heavy bleed due to placenta praevia . She had an emergency c-section and baby girl delivered 6 weeks prematurely.

After 6 days on a ventilator she was breathing on her own and by 2 weeks old was home from hospital and thriving. I had a message from them today. Their beautiful baby now weighs 9lbs.
Try not to worry too much. Easy for me to say I know. But I’m sure all will be fine.

EllanVannin

Best wishes to all concerned. x Congratulations too

Thank you!

EllanVannin

I can assure you Artsandcraftsnanny that the baby will be alright and the staff are well used to this happening. I actually saw the tiniest baby also on a ventilator as lively as a cricket and doing very well on the same unit and I believe he went home not long after my GGD.

Of course, I have no doubt that the staff know exactly what they are doing, and will look after our grandson very well. I wish I was closer, and could support my family!

cornergran

I do understand the worry. One of ours was whipped away to NICU and ventilated because of breathing problems. Four days later he was back with his Mum. A tendency to bronchiolitis in the first few years was the only ongoing issue. At 5 you’d never know there had been a problem. Hang on in there, it’s natural to be worried of course it is. Hope to hear good news in a few days.

Another lovely positive story, thank you! It's very scary, my son was born at 34 weeks but was absolutely fine apart from jaundice. I was convinced there'd be no problems at 37 weeks, which is actually the same gestation as his big brother.

EllanVannin

One of my GGC was born this way 6 years ago. My GD had all but lost all her waters but had to hang on to the pregnancy as best she could until the baby gained a bit more weight. She was born at 37 weeks by C Section and went straight into SCBU on a ventilator.

The baby was on the ventilator for about a week until she could breathe on her own and was in the unit for about 2 weeks, weighing 5lb then allowed home.
Staff were wonderful as I used to go to visit the baby who was also tube-fed but doing well.

6 years on you wouldn't know that she'd struggled in her earlier life she's a bonny girl and very strong.

I'm so pleased your GGD has done well! Thank you!

crazyH

No experience of this, but he is the best hands and will be well looked after. I’m sure there’ll be someone here who will have some experience. But please don’t worry, the little fellow is going to be ok. xx

Thank you, I've been saying exactly that to my son. I really hope it's true!

A friend of mine had premature twins at 24wks+3 days. One weighed 1lb 3oz and eight years later she is a happy, healthy little girl who has cone through many difficult times and surgeries. All will be well, try not to worry.