Re: your successful live-birth pre-term labor experiences(pg,child,m/c ment)LONG

[Guest guest]

Hi Heidi,

I see that a few girls have responded to your question, but know

that any new info is always useful...

I am currently 26 weeks pregnant with my second child (I say second

child although it is my fifth pregnancy. 2m/c and an ectopic

pregnancy along the way- though all three were early- before 6

weeks, so, having got this far along this time, I am convinced (and

have faith!) that this little one will be fine.)

My daughter was delivered by emergency c-section at 32 weeks. My

pregnancy had been absolutely normal until at 31 weeks I felt a gush

of water and rushed off to my ob/gyn's rooms. He did an u/s and

found that I was contracting (I did not feel this at all, even when

they then put the monitor on my tummy in Labour ward and could see

them on the printout...) and that my membranes had ruptured- not

sure what happened first, the membranes rupturing causing the cntx,

or the other way round. He put me on intravenous terbutaline to stop

the cntx, which worked brilliantly, and put me on total bedrest in

the hopes that the rupture would seal off. He also did 3 hourly

foetal non stress tests and bi-daily blood tests to check that my

white blood cell wasn't rising (to indicate an infection...)ALSO-

most important, the steroids for baby's lungs- one shot straight

away, and another after 24 hours.

I lay in that bed not wanting to move an inch in case it caused

further rupture, playing a waiting (and praying) game. One week and

a day later, my white blood cell count was elevated, so my DR

decided to caesar. I was terribly disappointed (we still had no

idea why my membranes had ruptured) but knew that I had to rely on

his judgement. During the caesar, he said that there was very

little amniotic fluid left, and that I had a bicornuate uterus. He

also mentioned something about a septum- which I have subsequently

learned probably means that it is probably not simply BU.

Unfortunately, I did not know this until I joined this forum, and I

was already pregnant again. My recurrent m/c would also indicate

that a septate uterus probably more likely... Unfortunately my

ob/gyn doesn't seem very clued up on the variances of MA's, and uses

BU as catch-all phrase for Mullerian Anomalies.

Nonetheless, my daughter was amazingly strong and big for a 32-

weeker. She weighed 2.2kg/4.85pounds and was 50cm long. She let out

a hearty yowl after she was born, needed no ventilation and I was

even able to hold her for twenty minutes before they took her off to

the NNICU.

She stayed in the NNICU for 10 days, b/c she need intravenous

antibiotics (my raised WBC count). I expressed milk from day one,

and she was tube fed my milk, and from about 6 days I was able to

combination breastfeed and express bottle feed her.

Looking back, things could have been so much worse, and at the time

I was very aware of this- counting my blessings regularly. But, it

was the most difficult time I have ever gone through. I felt very

powerless, and at the mercy of the ICU sisters- who although very

dedicated and passionate, were not big on including the parents in

the baby's care. is now 18 months old and has absolutely no

problems other than the usual 18 mo old tantrums etc. She has a

full mouth of teeth, and is taller than most of her peers. Although

from a health point of view ahe has no ill-effects (not one bout of

bronchitis or bronchiolitis or any other lung problems)- the first

year of her life was tough as she suffered very much from sensory

overload problems which have been attributed to her prematurity and

time spent in a box in the ICU. She had severe colic for six months,

and had sleep problems for the first year (hourly wakings, being

inconsolable when she woke up and very difficult to comfort.)

It is largely for these reasons that I am determined to keep this

little one in my tummy for as long as possible. I am stopping work

at 30 weeks, and intend to take things VERY slowly. In terms of

tips for helping your baby when in ICU if you should end up with a

preemie, my advice would be to hold your baby as soon as possible,

and for as long as they'll let you- skin to skin if possible. If

you can't hold him/her, any physical contact is important, though no

jerky movements, as these overwhelm their immature little sensory

systems. Just rest your hand gently on the little chest, or arm or

leg, and talk softly in a low tone or sing to them. Also put a

little soft toy inside your shirt so that it absorbs your scent, and

leave it in the crib when you are not there, as they have a highly

developed sense of smell, compared with their other senses.

I hope that you never need to use this advice, but if you do, know

that little babies have an amazing resilience, and ability to

overcome obstacles. It is so important to not let all the worrying

and stress get the better of you- but to rather make good decisioons

now as far as you can (monitor cervical length, get lots of rest,

drink LOADS of water, rest,rest,rest)and know that you have the

strength when your precious baby comes.

My prayers and love go out to you, that you little one will stay put

till it is ready to come and fill your life with love and

blessings! Best of luck.

Adele (BU???)

dd Kate 02/18/2004

26 wks pg, due 11/21/2005