Sebski: They never determined what caused my early delivery. I had an appt. that morning with a covering doctor since my usual one didn't make it in that day. I complained to him that I was having "achey ovary pains" all night and he brushed me off and didn't even examine me. Looking back now, I knew he was an a-hole before that and I should have been more assertive and made him check me out b/c obviously I was already in labor. I had even asked at that appt. if I could stop working full time and he told me no. Jerk. If my regular doctor was there that day, she would have examined me and put me on modified bed rest (I was high risk for my age and a previous high risk delivery besides being high risk for monochorionic-diamniotic twins). But hind sight is 20-20 and that is one of my big regrets in life. But I digress. The placenta was examined after and they never could determine a cause. I think they just wanted to come out and meet us. They still don't have much patience!! I did BF but not until they were Gestational age of 32-33 weeks. Honestly, I can't remember exactly when but they were initially on tube feedings for the first month or so and then given bottles at 31 weeks. Since I had gone back to work when they were 4 weeks old (and still in the hospital for 4 more weeks) I could only attempt BF twice a day. When we came home, we did it ALL THE TIME it seemed and I still had to supplement with EBM. I was a pumping fool. We never really "got it" though and I was spending so much time BF that I was neglecting DS#1. Finally, after 2 weeks of this, he grabbed my hand, dragged me to his room and said "lie down with me" and wouldn't let go. So I quit BF. I just felt so sad that he was so sad. I continued pumping and the babies ended up getting 3 months of BM only so I am proud of that. It really is the best medicine for them no matter how they get it. The NICU never really presented it as an option b/c of their prematurity. Basically, it was pump and make them medicine. Must have worked b/c you would never know they were 27 weekers to look at them. I think most NICUs will support you in your BF b/c they know how important it is. Some babies end up staying longer in the NICU until BF is established and they are gaining weight with just BF. B/c I was working and had DS at home, I couldn't be there for every feed which I think was an obstacle.
Wow, am I chatty today! I am anxiously awaiting the results of your appt. today.
I'll try to post pictures later.
Missy & Steve 11/9/02
Jacob 10/07/03
Matthew & Samuel 7/1/05
Sebski - just adding our recent experience with the NICU. They did formula feed our girls when they were first born through a tube. I started pumping as soon as I could after surgery and would take whatever I could down to the NICU (sometimes it barely covered the bottom of the bottle, but they said it was still very worth bringing down). They would give that to them first and then supplement with formula until I was producing enough to provide a full meal. It probably took me 4 days to be able to produce enough for the full meal. The girls are now 100% BM. Since my girls were 33 wks, we were able to try nursing within a few days after delivery, so I can't add anything there. But I do have to say that they have not had any issues with going back and forth between tube, bottle, breast. They just ate it no matter what form it came in. Good luck today.
Tina & Dan - 6/26/04
Aimee Jean - 9/25/05
Katherine (Katie) Louise & Kristi Anne - 1/31/07 (33 wks)
Ohh I gotta dig out JP's old preemie pics to share with you all!!
Sebski, you asked me in the old thread wehre I delivered... Jackie was born at Morristown Memorial (we live in Randolph, OMG we are so close!). They also have a Level 3 and I know they are redoing somethings around there to make it better. I LOVED the medical care Jackie got there. The staff there was wonderful, we were sad to see our former head nurse retired in Dec. We go back whenver we can to visit them and they still remember us 3 years later!!! I don't know much at St B NICU but I have a friend who delivered there full term and HATED their maternity unit. She said the nurses didn't listen to her and her requests to not bottle feed and other stuff. I know they have a great surgical unit and peds unit since that's where Jackie got her surgery done at 14 months. Not sure if any of this helps at all, sorry! Did you visit both yet?
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