https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 04 May 2026 11:47:49 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1948111 Mon, 17 Nov 2014 17:26:32 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1948111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: @Mrs Green Grass: @ballerinabee: @AprilK: @littleredhairedgrl: thanks so much guys, it just went up!</p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2014/11/17/in-honor-of-world-prematurity-day/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2014/11/17/in-honor-of-world-prematurity-day/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1943308 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 15:00:32 +0000 littleredhairedgrl 1943308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tiger: i can def get it to you by saturday no problem. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1943305 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 14:59:48 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1943305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@AprilK: no worries!</p> <p>@littleredhairedgrl: that would be great! If not this can run after the 17th, no biggie :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1943295 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 14:56:16 +0000 littleredhairedgrl 1943295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tiger: i'd love to give a writeup too if you still have room. when can i get it to you by? this weekend? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1943274 Thu, 13 Nov 2014 14:46:45 +0000 AprilK 1943274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tiger: still working on it... Dd has a cold and I'm swamped taking care of her and working from home. Still on my list for asap though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1940120 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 20:20:14 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1940120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@AprilK: whatever's easier, or you could post it to my wall. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1940115 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 20:17:18 +0000 AprilK 1940115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tiger: do you want me to email it to you or post it here? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1940094 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 20:03:57 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1940094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@AprilK: Girl don't apologize! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1940088 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 19:58:22 +0000 AprilK 1940088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tiger: I'll try to do the editing and whatnot tomorrow... Time for away from me this weekend! I'm sorry :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1940079 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 19:52:44 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1940079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@AprilK: @Mrs Green Grass: hey guys, I realized the 17th is World Prematurity Day so I'm aiming for it to go up then! I'd like to submit it early next week (to give Mrs Bee time to make collages and stuff). I can grab pics off your respective blogs if that's easier, or post whatever you'd like me to use :)</p> <p>Any other takers? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1937338 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 10:36:21 +0000 ballerinabee 1937338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tiger: More recent picture of C below. Please feel free to use any of my story, and to edit for length. Lord knows I'm not concise! </p> [attach=5404/14/nety0m.600x450.Chip-Cheesecake-Factory-April-2014.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1935350 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:56:09 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1935350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@AprilK: that works, no rush! Thank you :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1935334 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:42:30 +0000 AprilK 1935334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tiger: sure! When do you want it by? I can do it this weekend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1933893 Thu, 06 Nov 2014 23:05:26 +0000 MrsRcCar 1933893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tiger: btw I saw your latest blog post about your day! If you need any help with this post I would be more then happy to help. I really can make complete and thoughtful paragraphs when I am not up nursing at 1am. :silly: </p> <p>I am glad to see other preemie moms coming out to share their prospective.<br /> @Mrs Green Grass: When we toured the hospital here I made sure to familiarize myself with their protocols for preemies. We live in a small town so they aren't equipped to handle preemies less then 32 weeks gestation. If your little one came before 32 weeks they would be stabilized and then taken by life flight to a hospital 2 hours (drive time) away. Even after 32 weeks they kept babies on a case by case basis. </p> <p>In high school I volunteered at a local hospital (not the one I delivered at). I was assigned to the NICU and I am glad I did. In a way it helped me understand the flow a little bit more, everything was still scary. However I felt a little better because I had an understanding of how things work in there. Although at times it was hard because I could just see the worst case scenarios in my head, I had to learn to believe the best for my little guy. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1933793 Thu, 06 Nov 2014 22:05:15 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1933793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@AprilK: sure! would you be up for summarizing it some and giving some advice to new parents of preemies? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1933771 Thu, 06 Nov 2014 21:49:46 +0000 AprilK 1933771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you need any more stories? Here is my post from our time in the nicu<br /> <a href="http://www.chimonkey.blogspot.com/2011/04/nicu-diaries.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.chimonkey.blogspot.com/2011/04/nicu-diaries.html</a></p> <p>Emmett was born at 34 w 4 days (by my OB's calculations) and about 34 weeks by mine. I had to be induced when my water broke, and he was in Nicu for 9 days. Those days were such a weird in between time where time just stopped. Still feels like it lasted forever, almost four years later! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1933755 Thu, 06 Nov 2014 21:41:39 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1933755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tiger: I'm ok :) today was my last day off so I tried to get some papers graded. The blog post was more fun. Let me know if you need any editing help. I know you have TONS of free time on your hands! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1933678 Thu, 06 Nov 2014 21:02:32 +0000 MrsRcCar 1933678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't mind of mine was edited down. I know I can be wordy sometimes. :) Hope you are getting good response for this blog post. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1933655 Thu, 06 Nov 2014 20:57:04 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1933655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ballerinabee: thank you so much for sharing that! I remember the tiny sunglasses, I think I have them somewhere still :) I'm glad everything is smooth sailing now. Would you like to share a more recent picture of him? </p> <p>@Mrs Green Grass: I know Dylan's story well but it's still a hard read. Thanks so much for writing it up, I know you must be busy being sick! How are you feeling? </p> <p>Would you guys mind if I edit them down some for length? I will post it for your approval before submitting it. The post will have at least 7 stories at this point... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1932557 Thu, 06 Nov 2014 12:49:28 +0000 ballerinabee 1932557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: wow! I'm so sorry that you and Dylan had to go through all of that. I can't imagine how hard that was for you. I'm so happy to hear how well he's doing! </p> <p>Stories like yours make me feel guilty for having had such a hard time with C's comparatively brief NICU stay and issues, and transition to home. </p> <p>I also absolutely agree with you about touring the NICU and including in your prenatal care considerations for premature labor / delivery and neonatal care. It's good to know what signs to look for, when to worry / go to the hospital, and what to expect if you do have a preemie. It's way too overwhelming in the moment to comprehend it all and have to make decisions. I would rather have been prepared and never needed the information, than what we experienced. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1932542 Thu, 06 Nov 2014 12:37:13 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1932542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll add some pics too, but I need to find them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1932537 Thu, 06 Nov 2014 12:33:21 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1932537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can adjust this however you need, it's hard to keep it short!</p> <p>I went into labor, bleeding first, then contractions out of no where at 23 weeks. My friend dropped me off at emergency while she parked the car and I had no idea where to go, ER? L&amp;D? I wandered around while bleeding and crying until a pregnant woman led me to triage.</p> <p>When I heard Dylan's heartbeat, I thought everything would be okay and that I could go home, but that first night I got up to 13 contractions in a hour and the next day I learned I probably wouldn't leave until Dylan was born. </p> <p>The suddenness of it all was one of the most traumatic parts. </p> <p>During the 17 days before Dylan was born, I met with neonatologists and was given sheets of odds on how preemies do at different gestational ages. We had to decide at what point we would want to intervene to save his life or whether we would just offer comfort care. That was the worst conversation of my life and it still chokes me up. I got two steroid shots to help speed up Dylan's lung development, the biggest issue facing a micropreemie.</p> <p>Dylan was born at 25 weeks and 3 days and weighed 1lb 15oz, a pretty good size for his age. I heard him cry which was comforting and got to touch him before they took him to his already-waiting NICU isolette.</p> <p>I didn't get to hold him for two weeks and after that it was another two or three for the second time.</p> <p>He spent 5 weeks on the ventilator and during that time had heart surgery to close a valve that commonly doesn't close in preemies (a PDA ligation). He was on some form of oxygen for another month or so. We spent 143 days (nearly 5 months) in the NICU and like many others, feeding was the main hurdle. Dylan had severe reflux and his heart rate would always drop while eating and he had very low stamina. </p> <p>But we are also the lucky ones. He had a 50% chance of survival and he is now 2 (adjusted) and a thriving little boy.</p> <p>What I hope is that we start talking about prematurity, even though it's scary. I would walk by the NICU in early pregnancy and think, I don't need to know about that. Then I spent 1/3 of a year there. It would have helped so much to know what it looked like and what would happen if I went into pre-term labor. So I encourage you to take a NICU tour early and to ask lots of questions, just in case. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1932507 Thu, 06 Nov 2014 12:15:36 +0000 ballerinabee 1932507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m not concise, but here’s my son’s story:</p> <p>My story is one of the lucky ones. My membranes ruptured at 33w5d, and I had also developed pre-ecclampsia. I hallucinated horribly (thought I was on fire, thought I was an animal) from the magnesium for the pre-e, so my labor was traumatic. </p> <p>When C was born, he was 5 1/2 pounds (50% for his gestational age) and struggling to breathe. He had to be put on a ventilator overnight, and after 2 days was transferred to c-pap for a day, and then the nasal cannula for a week or so. He had surgically implanted lines in his umbilical stump and an IV in addition to the nasal cannula and n-g tube, so moving him had to be done very delicately. I didn't get to hold him until he was almost 4 days old. </p> <p>He spiked an infection and then became jaundiced, so he was on anti-virals, anti-biotics and in the baby beach (the isolette with the uv lamps), complete with wrap-around padded eye protection (they looked like tiny sunglasses. It really looked like he was hanging out in a baby tanning bed). </p> <p>He had no suck response when he was born, so feeding was actually his long pole to going home. I pumped every 2-3 hours, and they fed him colostrum and then breast milk through the n-g tube in his nose (so I could put him to breast while the milk flowed to his belly). We finally got him to latch with the help of a breast shield (he was tiny, I am not), and we struggled but established breast feeding.</p> <p>We were shocked to find out at 2 weeks that we could take him home. I have never been so scared in my life! When he was in the NICU, he was hooked up to all the monitors, so I knew he was breathing, that his heartbeat was regular, etc. Once we got home I had an incredibly hard time sleeping because I was terrified that he wasn't breathing. </p> <p>After a few days of sleeping well, he devolved into a baby who would only sleep in 10-20 min bursts, so I was incredibly sleep deprived and overwhelmed. I had very little support (my mom couldn't take time off of work because she had just been out for a few months due to surgery, and my DH didn't take time off of work), and I was too embarrassed to ask for help (I thought all of my friends had such magical maternity leaves because very few people share their unhappy stories on FB or with friends, so I thought I should just be able to do it all on my own “like they did”). He was colicky, didn’t sleep, had trouble eating, spit up a lot, and cried CONSTANTLY unless I held him and moved. I ended up with serious PPD. Fortunately, I got on meds and saw a therapist weekly, and it helped SO much. Finally at about 14 weeks the colic settled down, and we got into a better routine. </p> <p>I wish I had had a support group of other parents going through what we were. The NICU is a roller coaster. One hour everything is fine, the next it's bad. It's so overwhelming. Leaving the hospital without your baby feels so horribly wrong. The transport person who came to wheel me to the car when I was discharged looked around the room brightly and asked "where's baby?” I burst into tears. And I was lucky; C turned out to be completely fine. My heart goes out to you and other moms and dads who have preemies who had to stay much longer, and/or who had more serious and sometimes long-term issues. </p> <p>C is now 2 1/2 and while still small, he's actually on the chart for height &amp; weight (25%, where before he was either not on the chart, and then 2%)! We are exceptionally lucky. I have no idea how you (@Mrs. Tiger:) and other moms of preemies who have serious health issues and much longer NICU stays did it. I cried every night when I left the NICU (I couldn't stay overnight because they didn't have places for parents to sleep, and you couldn't even nap in the chairs by the isolettes in case you fell - they have to focus on the babies). </p> <p>Sorry for the novel. It feels good to get it all out, though. :happy: </p> [attach=5404/14/nemo06.600x338.newborn.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1930556 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 10:12:00 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1930556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: awesome! As long as it runs in November I'm not too worried about when. Take your time! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1930403 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 09:06:50 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1930403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely interested! When do you need it by? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1930303 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 08:09:39 +0000 MrsRcCar 1930303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tiger: Thanks for starting this! Sometimes I feel a little out of place because he was only in the NICU for such a short time, although it felt like forever at the time. We still battle with feedings here and there. He is EBF at almost 9 months actual but really struggles with purées and has no pincher grasp to speak of presently. It is tough to hear from my family how he should be eating 3 "meals" a day and taking a bottle. I just remind myself that he just needs some extra time and that's ok. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1930269 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 07:42:24 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1930269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: thanks so much! Your perspective is very valuable :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1930006 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 21:24:52 +0000 MrsRcCar 1930006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>E was born at 35 weeks. It was a huge surprise for us. I didn't even get a chance to eat dinner before seeing the doctor for what I thought was just a check up. My doctor warned me that he would likely need some extra help because he is boy, and apparently boys are lazy. When he arrived he wasn't breathing properly. They rushed him off to be checked out and give him oxygen.<br /> I got to see him briefly before they wished him off to the NICU. Once I was appropriately taken care of and moved to mother/baby they took me down to see him. He was hooked up to CPAP and other tubes. I knew this was a possibility but I had hoped he would be ok first off.<br /> While on CPAP he developed a pneumothorax (hole in his lung) so they switched him off to a 100% oxygen hood to close the hole. Once the hole was closed they put him on nasal cannula.<br /> Our next big battle was feeding. He was struggling to get through his feeds because he was working hard to breath and suck at the same time. They kept his OG (feeding) tube in until they could prove him could take all feeds by mouth.<br /> He was in the NICU for 13 long days but we were blessed that he wasn't in longer. My heart goes out to families who little ones need longer stays in the hospital or who have repeated trips to the hospital. </p> <p>My little peanut was 6lbs 4 ounces, which I realize is a good size. I am constantly told that he couldn't be a preemie because he isn't tiny. </p> <p>I love watching E grow and learn. :heart: </p> <p>If I had one piece of advice to give another preemie parent : Just remember you are your baby's advocate and to be as involved as possible in your baby's care. </p> [attach=2880/14/nejo1j.450x600.image.jpg] [attach=2880/14/nejo1l.450x600.image.jpg] [attach=2880/14/nejo1n.450x600.image.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1929921 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 20:44:49 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1929921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Anybody interested to contribute? No hard feelings if not. Here's my blurb (I still have to write up the intro :) ):</p> <p>D was born at 32 weeks via emergency c-section at 4lb 2oz. He was in the NICU for 2 months the first time, although a month later he developed NEC and returned to the NICU for another 2 months. It's hard to tell how much of his health issues are related to his premmaturity instead of his brain injury, especially because we don't really know the root cause of the brain injury. However, if he had been bigger when the injury happened, he would have been eligible for more interventions (like cooling therapy) and would have had a better chance of avoiding long term brain damage.</p> <p>I wish I had known how many families struggle with premature labor and then preemies in the NICU. I also wish I knew that not all preemies are magically absolved of their issues after a year (or two, or three...). The only stories I ever heard were the "miracles" where nothing was wrong. D isn't lucky enough to be one of those babies, but he has come a long way from that ventilated, 4lb baby! He continues to learn, grow, and thrive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-want-to-contribute-to-a-blog-post#post-1922078 Thu, 30 Oct 2014 08:38:26 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1922078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey mamas. </p> <p>As @Mrs. Green Grass reminded me, November is prematurity awareness month. I was thinking about doing a swarm type post on the blog from the bloggers who've had preemies to talk a little about our experiences. @Mrs. Twine suggested we open this up to the boards, which is a great idea! </p> <p>Would any of you like to write up a paragraph about your experience, or what you've learned, or a lasting memory, whatever you'd like really? You can include pic(s) of your LO if you'd like. I can work up what I'd like to say and post it tonight if you're curious. </p> <p>Please let me know if any of you are interested! We have really varied experiences on the board, and I know it would be helpful for other parents going through similar things. </p>