Diaper Swappers

brookglen · 12-12-2012, 04:07 PM

This morning I had my regular perinatologist appointment. They have been monitoring my bile acids now for three weeks and evaluating how far I should take this pregnancy. Well, they got my blood work back and found that my bile acids were over 160 (normal being 4-19). The perinatologist rushed me out the door and over to L&D where I was immediately hooked up to magnesium to prepare the baby for induction in the next week. I will be 33 weeks on Friday.

This is suddenly very real now, and the reality that I will be caring for a preemie soon is beginning to sink in. I'm freaking out. I've had the steroid shots, I'm getting the mag to help protect her brain. What else can I do? I seriously can not believe this is happening. Will she be okay? Please tell me 33+ weeks is enough, because I'm very scared.

UPDATE!
She's here! Born red faced and screaming. They took her to the NICU a few minutes after birth and in two days she's already graduated to the next phase room (A to B) and has even eaten a bit of milk I pumped. She is breathing but needs a little forced air which they are slowly weening her off of. She's 4lbs 5oz. which is SO much bigger than we though she'd be. So where we stand right now is that we don't know for sure when she an come home, but once she masters eating, is actively gaining weight, is off of the air and weighs over 4 lbs (which she already does) then she can be discharged. We are already a quarter of the way there! Anyway she's crazy cute, and ridiculously feisty, constantly pulling her cannula out and removing her ankle band. She gets fussy when they check her BP so they bribe her with a single drop of sugar water, which is pretty much the funniest thing I've ever seen. Anyway, all in all I'd say we are counting out blessings right now. My recovery has been non existent, I had no trauma what so ever and don't even feel like I gave birth, which I guess is the silver lining to having such a small baby. And she is doing just fine, so I'm a happy mama today. I'm pumping my brains out trying to get my milk to come in (which is why I'm up at 3am posting) and I've been pretty successful. Anyway, off to the early arrival board to pick up some preemie tips! Thanks for all of the amazing helpful responses. They saved me from going crazy.

little Miss Indie Ginnette-

EmilytheStrange · 12-12-2012, 04:10 PM

33 weeks is enough. With good NICU care, of course.

I'm sorry you're having to go through this, but I'm sure your baby will be fine. Just try to relax and let her bake as long as she can. She's going to be your miracle baby.

MDever · 12-12-2012, 04:11 PM

Oh my! That sounds so scary. I will be thinking of you and your LO hoping for the most positive outcome possible. Please keep us posted.

Sylvie89 · 12-12-2012, 04:19 PM

33 weeks is good in preemie terms. There are some major milestones that happen at 32 weeks, so anything after that is considered good. My son was born at 30 weeks and spent 6 weeks in the NICU and is now happy, healthy almost 21 month old.

Sarahknavy · 12-12-2012, 04:32 PM

Praying for you and a healthy delivery. I have no advice except maybe look up help on get in your milk supply in if you plan to breast feed. I have heard it can be challenging.

Hungry Caterpillar · 12-12-2012, 05:23 PM

I am sure she will be just fine. I wish you well!

I think at this point, with the way things are going in your body, you just need to tell yourself that the NICU may just the safest place right now for her, and she will receive excellent care.

clothdipemama · 12-12-2012, 05:27 PM

Prayers and hugs to you mama!

jackobeano · 12-12-2012, 10:41 PM

Just wanted to say I hope everything goes as well as possible and I think 33 weeks is not so early that you can't be hopeful that everything will turn out well. Hugs to you mama!

3lilbubs · 12-12-2012, 10:48 PM

Oh mama I'm sure everything will be fine. I'm sorry you're having to deliver early. We're really lucky to be close to some of the very best specialists in California but 33+ is good, very good. Hang in there mama.

**Puppydog** · 12-12-2012, 11:21 PM

Thinking of you. 33 weeks is enough. My friends son was born weighing 493grams. He is a healthy, happy 5 year old now.

12-12-2012, 04:07 PM	#1
brookglen Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,320	UPDATE- SHE'S HERE!!! Not how I thought my day would go. This morning I had my regular perinatologist appointment. They have been monitoring my bile acids now for three weeks and evaluating how far I should take this pregnancy. Well, they got my blood work back and found that my bile acids were over 160 (normal being 4-19). The perinatologist rushed me out the door and over to L&D where I was immediately hooked up to magnesium to prepare the baby for induction in the next week. I will be 33 weeks on Friday. This is suddenly very real now, and the reality that I will be caring for a preemie soon is beginning to sink in. I'm freaking out. I've had the steroid shots, I'm getting the mag to help protect her brain. What else can I do? I seriously can not believe this is happening. Will she be okay? Please tell me 33+ weeks is enough, because I'm very scared. UPDATE! She's here! Born red faced and screaming. They took her to the NICU a few minutes after birth and in two days she's already graduated to the next phase room (A to B) and has even eaten a bit of milk I pumped. She is breathing but needs a little forced air which they are slowly weening her off of. She's 4lbs 5oz. which is SO much bigger than we though she'd be. So where we stand right now is that we don't know for sure when she an come home, but once she masters eating, is actively gaining weight, is off of the air and weighs over 4 lbs (which she already does) then she can be discharged. We are already a quarter of the way there! Anyway she's crazy cute, and ridiculously feisty, constantly pulling her cannula out and removing her ankle band. She gets fussy when they check her BP so they bribe her with a single drop of sugar water, which is pretty much the funniest thing I've ever seen. Anyway, all in all I'd say we are counting out blessings right now. My recovery has been non existent, I had no trauma what so ever and don't even feel like I gave birth, which I guess is the silver lining to having such a small baby. And she is doing just fine, so I'm a happy mama today. I'm pumping my brains out trying to get my milk to come in (which is why I'm up at 3am posting) and I've been pretty successful. Anyway, off to the early arrival board to pick up some preemie tips! Thanks for all of the amazing helpful responses. They saved me from going crazy. little Miss Indie Ginnette- Last edited by brookglen; 12-17-2012 at 04:33 AM.

12-12-2012, 04:10 PM	#2
EmilytheStrange Registered Users Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mountain Home, ID Posts: 6,246 My Mood:	Re: Not how I thought my day would go. 33 weeks is enough. With good NICU care, of course. I'm sorry you're having to go through this, but I'm sure your baby will be fine. Just try to relax and let her bake as long as she can. She's going to be your miracle baby. __________________ SAHM to Magnolia May (09/10) and Luke Russett (04/13) and wife and best friend to my airman.

12-12-2012, 04:11 PM	#3
MDever Registered Users Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 5,496 Ratings: 34 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Not how I thought my day would go. Oh my! That sounds so scary. I will be thinking of you and your LO hoping for the most positive outcome possible. Please keep us posted. __________________ Melony-Wife to my AMAZING DH Roger and SAHM to our tribe. DD1 Emmaleigh 1/02,DS1 Avery 8/03,DD2 Ainsley 9/05, Bonus T 8/06 & DD3 Poppy 12/10, DS2 Fionnlagh 2/13 we are a crunchy, CDing, EBF, bed sharing, babywearing, intact, very cautious/delay vaxing, ERF, homeschooling FAMILY.

12-12-2012, 04:19 PM	#4
Sylvie89 Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 502 Ratings: 13 Feedback: 100%	Re: Not how I thought my day would go. 33 weeks is good in preemie terms. There are some major milestones that happen at 32 weeks, so anything after that is considered good. My son was born at 30 weeks and spent 6 weeks in the NICU and is now happy, healthy almost 21 month old.

12-12-2012, 04:32 PM	#5
Sarahknavy Registered Users Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Whidbey Island, WA Posts: 1,163 Ratings: 2 Feedback: 100%	Praying for you and a healthy delivery. I have no advice except maybe look up help on get in your milk supply in if you plan to breast feed. I have heard it can be challenging. __________________ Mom to Isaac born 5-24-11 and Leah 2-19-13