My 22 week baby in Nicu

I know what its like to have a little in the nicu, my little girl was born at 24wks just nine days ago so im going through the anxiety of it also. my prayers go out to you, hang in there thats my only advice i can give. The dr. and nurses will do their best and so far your little one seems to be a fighter.

Wow! I'm so sorry that you're having to face time in the NICU at all, but I'm glad things are going well. Please keep us posted as I"m sure thislong journey can be difficult.

Tracy

I faced that last December. My water broke at 24 weeks. I was in the hospital for 6 days and my doctor told we I had an infection and had to have a C-Section. I didn't get to hold my baby when he was born. I barley got to see him as they took him in a incubator to the Children's hospital. He is my first and my only right now. It was a very frightening day. We were told he was not going to make it by several doctors. He was in the NICU for 3 1/2 months. Stay strong it going to be a long ride with many good and bad bumps in the road. The nightmare is over and we have our little miracle at home.

We faced that PDA surgery with our little guy. It amazed us how such a tiny being could bounce back so fast!

Want to share a couple of kernels I've picked up from a few nurses I've been blessed to know:

"No fear. No guilt. Walk tall."
"Don't get your hopes up...but don't lose hope."

I hope you can find the same peace in those words that I have. Just remember that little being needs you more than ever. Needs your touch, your smell, your voice. You are the greatest ally that your baby has. And every trip to the NICU may just become easier in time.

Congratulations on your new baby!

Being born into the NICU at any gestational age is really scary. Most people really do not know what is behind those double doors entering into the NICU. Most people think NICU babies are just sick but medical staff grow them up fine.

The truth is .... NICU's are intensive care units. Babies there get specialized, life saving care. Most NICU patients have or had trouble breathing, maintaining body temperature, and feeding. Staff inside NICU's are highly trained to work with this usually very medically fragile population.

Congratulations on success of the PDA surgery! That is wonderful news. Feel it in your heart and carry the joy from this milestone. Remember it on the hard days.

My children were born at exactly 25 weeks. We certainly had our ups and downs ....

The best advice I can offer parents is:

1) contact your social worker to assist you with financial and emotional matters ... these professionals are there to lean on during these difficult times

2) hope is not a bad word .... sometimes it is what gets us through ...

3) contact your local parent to parent organization and ask to be matched with another mom who had a 22 weeker (months or years before the birth of your own)

4) take care of yourself .... if you do not ... then how will you care for your baby?

5) remember you are a parent and not a guest at baby's bedside ... ask questions .... participate as much as you can in baby's care ... learn your baby's routine

6) when you make decisions out of love .... then they are good decisions

7) if you are spiritual ... seek out someone from your faith or practice to speak with ....

8 ) be kind to yourself .... you are going through a very difficult time....

You are in my thoughts. Take Care.

Warmly,

Melissa

Hi Johanna;

God Bless you & your little miracle! Read my story that I posted today ~ My daughter was born at 23.5 wks and weighed 1lb, 8 oz. She came home on the day your son was born, after 4 1/2 mo in NICU. It was a rollercoaster ride, but luckily she's had only a few complications. Just remember a few things: Nothing is going to go the way you planned in the NICU, so try & take it one minute at a time; prayers will help you both get thru this and MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!

I was on hospital bedrest for 4 weeks with a cerclage as well. It was so depressing, you are right! It was the hardest thing Ive ever done but now having a child in the NICU is even harder.

I am very scared too. Its hard to keep your mind busy isn't it. Im not a religious person but I know there are people praying for our babies and that helps doesn't it? My daughter was born at 25 weeks just last week and doing ok, its just hard to not worry I know. Stay strong and positive!

I wished I could have held on to 23 or 24 weeks per all the doctors wishing. unfortunately my daughter came almost unexpectadly at 21 weeks exactly! I was on best rest for the previous 2 weeks but to no avail. I am happy to hear you stories of survival but devastated by my recent lost and the hospitals lack of resourses to do anything at that early gestation period. hang in there though because he is a MIRACLE!

Hello my name is Meredith, I also had a 22 week baby and she is now about 23 weeks and a few day. They are Starting her on the medicine for the PDA. They are putting in the PICC line in today and starting her on some blood because she is low. But she is doing so good and she is being so strong. I'm scared to death, I pray to god to keep her strong. My cerclage didn't hold either. So please if you have any advice for me it will help. Thanks My e-mail Address is Mhayden3@roadrunner.com God Bless and I hope everything goes well your you and your family!

Welcome Meridith to share. We hope you find the information and support you need here.

Good luck with the PDA.
Ellen

Hello,
 I had my twins at 25 weeks on Jan. 13 and I had some bad times and I had some good times so far with them. It's been 4 weeks now and they're doing good.
 Just waiting for them to come home ! They are my first
Jamie

Hi there,

I remember the NICU "rollercoaster" clearly, it get easier believe me.

I was pregnant with twins last year, out of the blue at 22 weeks and 4 days I went into labor, I had to deliver Twin A, he was 1Ibs 3oz. Our NICU here in Ventura, CA, do not recusitate before 23 weeks so we had to watch our little guy fight a losing battle for a couple of hours, the loss and pain would have been unbearable but for the fact that Twin B by some some miracle did not engage so I was in the hospital on bed rest for 2 weeks. Twin B was delivered by emergency c-section because I had contracted an infection as a result of my open cervix. That was on the 20th of July 2008, he stayed in the NICU until November 13th 2008, his birth weight was 1Ibs 9oz and today he is a PERFECT, HEALTHY, HAPPY, CHATTY 12Ibs 4oz baby with NO COMPLICATION AT ALL.

Miracles happens, all babies in the NICU are special little angels who are braver and stronger than most adults so don't despair.

Hello there,

I am so sorry for your loss and I share your frustration about the hospital's decision making and lack of resources. My first baby was born at 22 weeks and 4 days only 3 days always from 23 weeks but, still the hospital was unwilling to rescitiate before 23 weeks as is their policy. He was not in distress even when he feet were engaged and his heart rate and everything was fine, my water didn't even break. We had to watch him struggle and say our good-bye to him, I wish they at least tried. It would be different if he was in distress or if he was he was still born but, to let the little guy struggle in vain for 2 hours was just cruel.

hello everyone I too share some of you all's frustration with the hospital policy of 22 weeks. I lost Tori at 22 wks and DJ came early at 24 weeks and 4 days and he is now in the NICU and we are taking it day by day. It has been such an emotional roller coaster since he was born on Feb 9th and it seems as if everyday there's something new good or bad. Today he had surgery for his PDA which went well, and now they are watching him closely for hydrocephalus, in addition the grade 3 and grade 4 brain bleeds he has. We have faith and now that God will see us through.