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 Groups: Joined: 12/26/2007 Posts: 315
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Hi all.
My sis who was 30 weeks pregnant with twins had to have an emergency section today. She had pre eclampsia- blood pressure was high, protein in urine, low platelets etc. The blood flow to one of the twins has been extremely bad for the last 6 weeks and they told her it looked like he wouldnt make it.
This morning she woke up in terrible pain, was shaking, having a bit of a fit I think. They gave her a section. One baby 1 pound 12, second baby 2 pound 15. They are in incubators now at the moment. Lungs developed better in smaller baby cause he has been fighting for oxygen the last few weeks. They are doing lots of tests now at the mo.
Just wondering if any of ye could shed some light on babies born prematurely and share some of ye'r stories with me as we really don't know what to expect.
Also my sisters health is really bad since having the c section, blood pressure fluctuating and had to get blood transfusion today. Shes in bad pain and they are giving her morphine.
Sorry about the long post but I am just beside myself with worry.
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Groups:
Joined: 5/1/2008
Posts: 6
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Hi, first of all I want to say congratulations to your sister on the birth of her twins. In relation to having a premature baby I myself had severe pre eclampsia which resulted in delivering my baby Jack at 27+5weeks weighting only 1pound 4ounces. Its such a traumatic time so your sister will need plenty of help especially that she has had twins. It s a very scary situation to be in and the doctors cant give you any answers but tell you take it day by day. I know they are very small but its good that your sister got to 30 weeks. I had very high blood pressure and was very bad after I had Jack, I had to have morphine aswell for the pain. I will pray for both your sister and the twins. These premature babies are small but they have great strength, my lil man Jack is doing brilliantly now. Any time you want to talk this site is great, and I will look out for your posts. Keep the heart up and good luck.
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 Groups: Joined: 6/23/2008 Posts: 1,139
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My friend had twins at 30 weeks. She went into premature labour and they could not stop her. I guess since they were aware of problems your sister got the steroids? This helps baby develop things a bit quicker, especially the lungs. My friends ones did not have time. They were 3.1 and 3.4 lbs. They are now 18 months old and flying. about 7 weeks in ICU. They had all the normal complications and scares. It's very much 1 day forward half day back type stuff but the longer they go on the better it gets. One was also weaker and had more problems but the 2 are super with no problems. There are plenty of little bumps along the road but hopefully they should be fine. The hardest part is getting in and out to them for 8 weeks and she'll need lots of support and help since she cannot drive. I had 1 ealry at 32 weeks though development was hindered since 28 weeks. She was in for 4 weeks. Again she is a thriving 8 year old with no bother. I hope all goes well. It's no easy ride but hopefully the outlook is good.
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Groups: Joined: 12/26/2007 Posts: 315
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Girls thanks a million for the posts. Its so nice to hear other peoples real life experiences. My DD is 3, pregnancy was brilliant and had a great labour so I just never experienced this so didn't realise it would be so scary!!
Wicklow 30- Were you in very bad pain after section? My sis is in really bad pain and is passing a lot of urine so they are kind of worried. She didn't pass a stool yet so they are hoping thats the cause of the pain.
Katiedan- Yes she had the steroids thank god. Thats brill to hear a positive story.
The smaller baby that they were originally worried about seems to be making more progress than the bigger baby. He was mad moving his mouth so nurses gave him a dummy to suck on and he loves it. They also said he is ready for breastmilk but bigger baby isnt. The bigger baby doesnt seem to be moving either, nearly always asleep?? Is this normal or do you think there could be something wrong? Smaller baby seems to have more life in him.
Sorry again for all the questions, can only imagine how many my sis must have, its so nice to be able to talk to people that have experienced it.
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Groups: Joined: 6/23/2008 Posts: 1,139
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Sleep is a good thing. They spend less energy asleep and can put energy into growing and getting bigger rather than activity. They are just like full terms too as in they have personality and one is obviously a live wire and the other is happy to sleep. Our one was called vampire because she hated light and rarely opened her eyes. try not compare them as all babies do things at different speeds and it will be normal that one might not progress as well as the other. They will both get there though.
I had alot of pain from section but the morphine made me worse. I also had a problem with the spinal and I had to lie flat for 24 hours and drink red bull?! I had a ringing in my ears and I felt like I was seeing and hearing life through a gold fish bowl. I gave up the pain killers as they were not agreeing and I stuck to tylex. I remember breaking into a sweat when trying to move with the pain. It is maybe better that she does pass urine than not. Is she still on a drip? I know myself after being on a drip, I get backed up terribly as I am very regular and it upsets the rhythm. Maybe ask her what's her trigger for a loose one. Mine is Raisins. If I eat too many then my bottom explodes. Maybe grapes or prunes etc? Sorry for TMI. When I do get that way I found the pain similar to labour. Desperate wind pains and cramping. Hopefully she will get sorted soon.
I expressed for my one and they gave it to her in the tube. I had to use a machine to express and for 3 days I got nothing because my poor boobs never knew she was born. The hospital have expressing rooms and they give you the little sterile jars to express into. Any little bit of BM will help them. You are doing well and take one day at a time.
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Groups: Joined: 12/26/2007 Posts: 315
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Well good news today, my sis was a lot better. She was still bleeding out of her scar so they put a tube in her stomach which is taking some of the blood out. She was moved from high dependency ward today down to her own room so that was brill. She can go up in the wheelchair to see the babies whenever she wants. She decided not to take any more morphine as she couldn't remember a lot of stuff that went on over it!! But shes not in that much pain now today which is brill so shes just taking a regular painkiller.
In relation to the passing a stool, that still didn't happen but shes only back eating really today cause she was vomiting so i'm sure if she eats fibre that will work itself out!! They didn't mention anything about urine today so i'm guessing things are ok with that.
Babies are doing well too. Smaller baby is a complete livewire!! Absolutely mad! Even trying to move the wires about, he had something over eyes today and he was trying to move it and opened his eye a wee bit! He only needs a little help breathing now but the other fella needs a lot more help. I was thinking maybe thats why hes not really lively too, he prob needs t get the lungs sorted first, hopefully!!
The nurses gave them both dummies and they are sucking away. They are both on breastmilk now too. Its great to see the progress they've made in just 2days!! So hopefully we'll see a lot more of that!!And your right, i have to stop comparing them, they are 2 different babies and babies are all different!
I think she is gonna stay in my house when she comes out because my house is a lot nearer hospital. How many days would you usually be kept in after a section?? We have to get house clean haha!!
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Groups: Joined: 6/23/2008 Posts: 1,139
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Wow, that's all looking very positive. Great big steps. I'm happy she is doing better and she gave up the morphine. That stuff robs you of any sort of reality. Hopefully the back end will come up trumps soon.
It's great the 2 are tolerating the BM. THat again is another big step. THe next step will be to break the feed as in not pump it continuously. Their sucking reflex must be used because there is only a window of opportunity to use ti and if not they lose it. But the 2 are on dummies so all is well. I presume they are on the cpap machine which helps expand the lung more than they do when they breath. That is all good too and it sounds like they got away without the ventilator which is a really big deal.
Your sister will be in for 4-10 days. Because of the bit of complications it will not be 4 days so maybe another few days after that.I was out after 3 days. Shortage of hospital beds and I only lived 20 mins from hospital and getting in and out to baby was not so hard.
It all sounds good and progress is being made. Well done to all.
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Groups: Joined: 2/21/2008 Posts: 166
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HI Mummyani
Juts to let you know I had my DS at 26weeks weighng at same as 1 of your nephews 1lb 12oz he is 21months old now and doing great, as katiedan said the less useof hte ventiolater the better my lad was only on it for 2 days I had got the steriod injection for his lungs only the day previous day but it definetly stood to him, you were saying earlier about one of them sleeping alot, sleep is very good for him as they do most of their healing in their sleep. It is a long road but by the sounds of it your sis is lucky to have you there supporting her. Best of luck with every thing and keep us posted and every want ot ask anything this is definetly the place. XX
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Groups: Joined: 12/26/2007 Posts: 315
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Hi girls its me again.
Sis put down a bad night last night over pump in stomach, they took it out today so said that she needs a lot of rest since she didn't get any last night. Still not eating much but getting there.
Babies doing good, they weighed smaller baby, he has lost a bit but thats normal. They both have jaundice but bigger baby now nearly over it.
Lisacarlow-thanks for the reply, glad your DS is doing great. How long was he in hospital for??
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Groups: Joined: 6/23/2008 Posts: 1,139
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Aw the poor thing. Hospitals are the least conducive place for recuperation! It's all a bit hard on her between shock and complications and then the worry. Hopefully she will get into her stride. I think once she is out of the hospital she might do better.
The babies always lose wait for the first few days to a week and then they start on the up. It's amazing how little grams now are a huge step!!
I hope your sister got a bit of rest last night anyway.
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Groups: Joined: 12/26/2007 Posts: 315
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She should be coming out tomorrow but they still a bit concerned about her stomach. She's getting the staples out tomorrow. They were saying yesterday that she might have to get surgery to leave out excess blood because the drain was taken out too soon!! But they said that would be a last resort! So if she's left out tomorrow, the doc said she has to come back tues to be checked out.
Babies doing well also, doctors very pleased! Small baby has bit of a bleed on brain but they said its nothing to worry about and that it should correct itself. Doc said at next scan he's expecting it to be gone. They are going to try give them larger amounts of milk now from tonight on to see how they get on! Things are looking good anyway!!!
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Groups: Joined: 12/26/2007 Posts: 315
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Hi ladies, said i'd give ye an update. All is doing well!!
Sis is staying with us for abit as her and hubby live too far away from hospital. Babies have both put on weight which is great. The doctors are really impressed with them, said they are coming on great. They are weeing and pooing away which is also great. Tonight though one of the babies wasn't keeping the milk down, anyone had any similar experiences?
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Groups: Joined: 12/26/2007 Posts: 315
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Smaller baby's heart rate dropped 3 times tonight in 1 hour, from 150 to 50. Sis is worried sic. Has anyone experienced anything similar???
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Groups: Joined: 6/23/2008 Posts: 1,139
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That's great they are all progressing nicely. The monitors are a little over whelming at times. They do tend to stop breathing and the alarms go off. That is normal for prems. The bit in their brain that reminds them to keep breathing is not mature enough so they are more than likely on caffeine whcih is mixed in their feed. Sometimes they need a tickle in their ribs and they start again. They also do this when straining like when they are doing a poo!! little Feckers can make the alarm go off and put the heart across you. Sometimes they can get an upset tummy. Because of all the tube etc. they can pick up little infections etc. but a few days and maybe antibiotics usually sorts it. My friend's one was the same. But she eventually got the hang of feeding and keeping it down. When we brought ours home I hired the heart monitor thingy. After about 4 weeks after a bath one night I never stuck it on again and we were fine. We had it for re assurance. By the time they are ready to leave they will do something called an e.r.t.h trace (cannot remember the name exactly) and the result determines whether they can go it alone. It's another milestone and they are always sure and well able. But as I said, they will hold the breaths for a poo or a shove and can put the heart sideays in you!
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Groups: Joined: 12/26/2007 Posts: 315
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Thanks for posting Katiedan.
Well the heart rates dropped a few times today but docs said exactly what u said!! It mainly only happens if they are doing somethin els, ie sleeping or feeding!! And it onli happens for a split second so they aren't too worried about it at the moment.
Yes they are on the caffeine. They are also managing to keep the food down again which is great. So just hoping they'll keep making progress!
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Groups: Joined: 6/23/2008 Posts: 1,139
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That's great news. It is very much baby steps at a time and then maybe a stumble back and then on again. Our s was in a Dublin hospital and as they progressed the got closer to the door for the way out so you could see the day the were getting closer depending where there cots are. I think we found the biggest jump was coming out of the incubators and then then the first bottle feed. Ours by the way just had 24 hours practice with a bottle before being released at 4lbs 15 ozs! It was gas because the bottle seems like a flippin 10 gallon drum in comparison to the size of their face!
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Groups: Joined: 2/21/2008 Posts: 166
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hi Mummy Ani
Gald to hear the little ones are doing well, you asked my a while back how long my son was in hospital for he was in for 89days he actually came home a week before his actual due dat, I know it seams like and awful long time and it does whenyou are going through it but when all are home and settle in it kinda fades into the background and you start to concentrate on the hear and now. The monitors use to drive me mad I hated them, they use to scare me so much, I found after a while when you wouold hear the alarm we use to look up to see if it was our lights on and if it wasnt we just kept our heads down (hope that doesnt sound bad).
Like Katiedan said we were in dublin for 60 of those days and when our sons incubator got moved nearer the door is was a great achievment I taught we would never graduate to the nursery and eventually we did and he got tranfered to a hospital and half hour from our home which was great because in Dub we travelled up and down every day so your sister is very lucky having you near the hosiptal. Take care and reagrds to your sister, tell her to be strong and every thing willbe ok. XX
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Groups: Joined: 12/26/2007 Posts: 315
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Thats amazing Katiedan!! Its pretty similar at their hospital which is great cause its great to know that your baby is making process! They seem to be taking off different wires and stuff day by day so its great that they are coming on well.
Thanks for your reply Lisacarlow. It does seem like a long time but I know it will be worth it in the end!!!! I really never realised all what parents of premature babies have to do!
Thank you for all your advice ladies, I will keep ye updated and will probably be back with more questions!!!!!
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Groups: Joined: 6/23/2008 Posts: 1,139
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It is amazing what parents of prems go through and it also makes you realise that going overdue is a hell of a lot better than going before time. Very few ever realise until it happens to them. Luckily on my second I went all the way to his due date and went into labour the same day and came out the next. What a world of a difference!
That's great and keep us updated.
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Joined: 2/25/2010
Posts: 3
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hi there, my son was born at 29 weeks as I got sevre pre eclapmsa.he is 2 now and is flyin around!he was 1 14 wen he was born and then he lost abit of weight over da first week. it is the hardest ting iv ever had to go throu.we had a couple of set backs.coz his weight wasn't going up quick enough we wernt aloud to hold him, jus had to leave him in the incubator and then bout two weeks after they started feeding him he got blood in his stool so they had to take him of the food again.apart from that he is great.you wouldn't even think now that he was a prem baby.I realy hope your sister and the twins are doin well
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Groups: Joined: 12/26/2007 Posts: 315
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Oh definitely katiedan. My sister saw me fly thru my pregnancy and labour so she taut she'd be similar!!!
Thanks for your reply workingmammy2010, its really nice to hear happy endings!!!
They are all doing well anyway at the moment thank goodness!!! It has been mainly positives than negatives so far so hopefully it will stay that way!!
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Joined: 8/10/2008
Posts: 32
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Hi Mummy Ani,
I had my baba at 30 weeks,I had severe preeclampsia and also had emergency c-section. I was in recovery for 3 days, had a lot of problems with my BP and was on morphine as well. I was on BP tablets for 2 months after and had to go to GP to get it checked daily. I was in hospital for 10 days and my baba was in hospital for 7 weeks and was born at 4 lbs.
All I can tell you is what the other mums here have told you is that prem babies are great fighters :). I'm glad that all is well with the babies.
I found all the machines really disturbing as my baba had problems with oxygen and heart rate, but it was only when feeding and eventually I learned to switch of from it. The most difficult thing for me however came when I was only thinking we're there and we're about to go home,we were bottle feeding twice a day yaaaay, but then when he came out of the incubator a few days later we had a satback and he had to get blood transfusion. I hope all will stay well with your systers babies, but God forbid there is a setback,it's just because the babies are exausted and I presume they're taking their blood for tests often. Anyway, that was a real blow for me as I though we were trough the worst and I got another shock then. And also the day when i saw one of the mums take her baby home and there was my baby lying in the hospital, I thought my heart was going to explode.
But, anyway,luckily all is well now and all is behind us, just tell your sister not to forget to enjoy her babies with all the worrying and fear and the same goes for the rest of the family :):).
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Groups: Joined: 12/26/2007 Posts: 315
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Thanks for the reply hanban!! Babies are doing well now. Bigger baby is over 4pounds and drinking bottles. He is in a different room to the smaller baby now so i'm guessing he is on the path to coming home. Smaller baby is also doing well but obviously needs to put on some more weight before he gets bottles and things like that!
They both had their eyes checked yesterday and everything looks well thank god!!
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Groups: Joined: 6/23/2008 Posts: 1,139
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That's great progress. Sometimes one might come home ahead of the other but there usually is not too much of a delay. %lbs is the magic number for release along with other things but hopefully they are not far off. It's amazing how grams matter!
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Groups: Joined: 12/26/2007 Posts: 315
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Oh I know Katie Dan. The smaller one is only over 2 pounds so i'd say he wont be going home for a while!! They told her to start preparing for bigger baby coming home!! He could be home within a few days but hes not feedin properly just yet....
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Groups: Joined: 12/26/2007 Posts: 315
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Well I have great news, bigger baby is home!!! Doing very well, he is over 5 pounds now!!!! Smaller baby had to get blood transfusion but it did him good. He is flying now, drinking the bottles away!!! He is 3 pounds 5 at the moment so will be in hospital for another while!!!
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Groups: Joined: 6/23/2008 Posts: 1,139
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that's brilliant news though heart breaking too to leave one behind but hopefully the time will fly in and no.2 will be home to roost.
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Groups: Joined: 2/21/2008 Posts: 166
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HI mummy ani
Thats brilliant news that one of the babies are home, The blood tranfusions do them great my little lad ended up having 3 while in hospital but every time it gave him a great boost. Regards to you sis, and stay in touch.XX
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Groups: Joined: 12/26/2007 Posts: 315
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Hi ladies, bit of bad news now- Smaller baby is back in intensive care!! Breathing wasnt great so had to go back on oxygen.. They did tests and he has a very bad bowel infection but once he started antibiotics his breathing went back ok and his colour went back to normal. Sis still very worried tho, they are doing more tests to see if theres any other problems... Hoping he will be ok, he was 3 pound 15 prior to this so was thriving. Hes quite cross now because they arent giving him bottles at the mo, back to the tube im afraid...
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Groups: Joined: 11/3/2008 Posts: 126
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Hi Mummy ani, read this thread the other day and was thinking of your poor sis and the lil babies, sorry to hear the smaller twin is back in intensive care, hopefully its only for a short time and they get him back on the bottles!! has your sis picked any names for them? hope all goes well
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