NICU

How long were your babies in NICU for?

eve it is different for each baby depending on thier problems Connor was in 2 weeks and Kian 4 Connor would have come home after one week if he did not develop jaundice. Kian was ready after 3 weeks but then needed a blood transfusion and it took a week longer.

I think it also depends on the hospital - I think Sandton is too cautious while other hospitals are perhaps too quick to send them home.

But we will tell you more about NICU tomorrow.

Ja Kerry is right, it depends a lot on the hospital. Wilgeheuwel where mine were born are also supercautious and if we had left them there they probably would have stayed in longer, we had them transferred to Carstenhof and they were in for 20 days (born 34 weeks). But it will also depend on their lungs, any other complications ect.

Have you had steroids yet Eve? Now is the time!

Yes it does depend on the hospital. Bjorn were in in for 4 weeks. Carmen was a total different story. She was in for 7 weeks. They were born at 33w.I agree with Paula, now is the time for steroids, I had two shots i think 24 hours apart at about 30w.

My hospital policy was to keep them until they weighed minimum 1.8kg and could suck and swallow with no breathing complications. Michael was in for 6 days (birthweight 2.32kg) but Grace was in for 23 days (birthweight 1.4kg). She was discharged at 1.82kg. I had 2 rounds of steroids and attribute the fact that neither of them needed any form of ventilation to this. I have to say - the staff in the NICU were absolutely fantastic - like angels. We were so impressed.

THanks ladies

No, I havent had steroids yet Am getting worried now, because I am only seeing my gynae on the 30th as he is away

How far are you now Eve? My Dr told me that the effect of the steroids is not cumulative - ie it "wears off". I found this difficult to understand but this is what he told me - it is effective for about a week. I got my 1st round of steroids at 32 weeks when I was hospitalised for 5 days so they could monitor the babies as my Dr was not happy with the cord flow. I was given more steroids when I was readmitted the day before delivery. (33 weeks 6 days).

I am 30 weeks tomorrow Wendy.
My belly has dropped and I have been getting a bit crampy for the past few days - sore when I walk etc etc. Is this normal or should I be worried?

Hey Eve, DONT stress!
You can also be one of the lucky ones like me who don't have any complications, and your babies might not be born early.
So rather take it easy, spoil and rest yourself as much a possible and try to keep those babies inside.
My doc checked my cervix regularly and obviously knew which other things to check for and i also did not have steriods at all - i asked him once about it, and he said that its not neccesary for me.
I was terrified because remember i compared myself to my friend whose babies came on 29 weeks..... and she started getting injections already at 27 weeks..... So why would doc not want to do that with me....
So i know exactly how you feel. You have all our friends here whose babies were all born prem and you cannot help but base your planning and expectations on that....

But hope and pray that you can also be the exception like me.... i basically just prayed and said thank you for each "extra" week that went by...

If my girls could stick to the end, yours can as well. i am tired of being the only "exception" here!!! come on Eve - you have to join me!

If your boys can hold out till end of April - they will be PERFECT!

When will you stop working.... because that also puts a little bit of stress on you sweetie...

Hey... and what is the theme of your boys's room?

Shame Eve - I constantly felt like I was about to give birth (or so I imagined) I had terrible Braxton Hicks contractions and if I was on my feet for any length of time I felt like the babies were going to "drop out of me" - they were both breach and I was getting kicked in the cervix which was most uncomfortable. The minute I got home from work I would lie down on my side with a pillow under my tummy and another between my legs and this would relieve things. Also - from 28 weeks my Dr prescribed some tablets for me to take 3 x a day that relaxed the uterus.

I think you should mention how you are feeling to your Dr. You really want to try and keep the babies in as long as possible. When I was admitted to hospital for monitoring at 32 weeks my Dr also commented I was having some fairly strong contractions so put me on a drip to stop these.

Thanks Page

I suppose I should just relax! I am not sure when I will stop working - I am seeing gynae on the 30th. I want to actually ask him if he can write a letter to my boss telling him to either let me work from home or put me on bed rest.

I dont really have a theme as such - I bought my linen from Mr Price, and it is blue and white stripes and blue stars

Just saw 2 more postings from eve and wendy while i was posting my previous posting...

Eve, the last couple of weeks are tough, your belly will drop but due to you having 2 little ones in there , and one probably kicking you in the ribs and the other one relaxing on your bladder, the pressure is going to become a bit more.
And the uncomfortability will unfortunately remain.

But - you can go AT ANY TIME to your hospital for a checkup if you feel worried, i one day had funny cramps and you can just quickly stop by the hospital, they check everything free of charge and put your mind at ease. Your "anytime check-ups" in the maternity ward area (or labour ward area) is part of your "hospital booking", so rather be safe than sorry.

And if doc did not pick up anything strange or funny yet, then just take it easy - you will be fine.

Eve, don't stress!! But I know I stressed with every little cramp I got. I got the steroids shots because Tiaan was also born early at 36 weeks and he was a small baby. And my gynae picked up that Carmen was growth restricted at 28 w. She didn't grow at all, so he did suspect something to happen. But I think it is a good idea to rather work from home now and get some bed rest. It can only do you good

Thanks ladies

I got the steroids weekly from 28 weeks, they do only last for a week and take about 24 hours to start working - basically they make the lung cells produce surfactant which keeps the airways open. It also protects to a degree against the gasto-intestinal complications. Eve, different gynaes feel differently about this issue, so not all go that route, but I did a lot of research and felt it was the best way to go.

I secind Page (again) go for a check-up at the slightest problem, it will at the very least put your mind at ease!