Babies born prematurely - help :-)

No, don't worry - Cuinn is currently using my uterus as a trampoline, happy as a clam, as I attempt to sit here and type while his feet miss my bladder only occasionally. This is for my niece.

My brother's partner is going to be delivering my niece in the coming weeks, and baby will be arriving possibly as early as 24 weeks although we're all praying that we can stretch her out for as long as possible. Mum is the one in danger - baby is quite happy.

Baby will be delivered at Auckland hospital (they are Tauranga based, but will be transferred when the time comes) - would they be transferred to Starship? I don't know if Starship has an ICU for babies.

Also, do they wear clothing in the incubators? If so, just hats and booties, or little jackets as well? We've (well Mum has) done research on the types of wools suitable, it's just a case of being prepared with what the baby may need.

What else ...

Oh, how long do babies tend to stay in hospital when born that premature?

I think those were my big questions, but if there is something really obvious I have missed, I'd really appreciate any feedback.

Mum will be delivering by c/s if that has any bearing.

Thanks so much.

Edited by ginger

Ginger - I have emailed my brother as his little boy was born at 30 weeks (weighing 500gms) - will post as soon as I get a reply.

In their case it was Mum that was in danger too - she had HELLP syndrome, which was only discovered by accident (she thought she had indigestion)...and it was all pretty scary and rushed.

 

Edited by SimSam

ooo I hope she manages to hold on past 30 weeks.

As far as I know, while bubs is in the hospital all nappies and clothing is covered by the hospital and they will only need to bring going home clothes with them - but that may be sometime in the future if she delivers that early.

All the best for your brother and of course his little one. 24wks is so so early but modern medicine is truly amazing!

Ashleigh was born at 26wks. We were told that 26wkrs have an 80% chance of survival. I'm not sure what the figures are for earlier gestations.

Baby will be delivered at Auckland hospital (they are Tauranga based, but will be transferred when the time comes) - would they be transferred to Starship? I don't know if Starship has an ICU for babies.
Not 100% sure but I think it would be Auckland Hospital NICU.

Also, do they wear clothing in the incubators? If so, just hats and booties, or little jackets as well?
When first born bubs will either be intubated if she isn't breathing on her own - or put on CPAP. When on CPAP they normally wear hospital hats as the CPAP tubing is pinned to the hat to stop it moving. And they only wear a nappy, no other clothing. Ashleigh didn't start to wear clothing until she was around 33/34 wks and was moved into a cot when she could maintain her own temp.

Oh, how long do babies tend to stay in hospital when born that premature?
The "rule" is they stay until around their due date. But that varies greatly depending on each child. The earliest is 36wks (from memory), 2kg and obviously feeding well. But then there were babies in NICU when we were there that were 8 months old and still on oxygen. Ashleigh was discharged at 37wks.

Hope I answered some of your questions. Feel free to ask away if you have anymore

Waikato

Hope never to meet you either
How is your bubby doing now?

Edited by Mrs_B

Thanks so much for your help/input everyone.

Mum has one kidney which is a donor kidney and there have been issues associated with that throughout the pregnancy, but now the kidney function is starting to deteriorate (sp?) too much, so that plan is for Mum to hold on as long as possible and everyone to keep everything crossed that she makes it through the next 4 weeks, or longer. She's just gone 20 weeks (exactly 10 weeks behind us). They're not panicking yet, just stepping up monitoring, but I think it's got more to do with Mum that they may end up in Akl.

I didn't realise there was a NICU at Middlemore - that would make life a lot easier ... well, easier than it would otherwise be as we are in Manurewa and family and Dad would be based from our home. Plus of course, it's a shorter drive for my porky self

Kelly - thanks for that re the clothing. I might tell Ma that the best thing is to keep her knitting needles smoking in our direction for the moment

I figured they'd be in hospital for a while, but it's good to know the general rule.

Poor Mum said to me tonight did I think that baby would be about 3lbs if born at 24 weeks    I think she had kittens a bit when I said no ... Cuinn is a porker and he was 2lbs 11oz at 28 weeks approx. 500grams Simsam is

Mrs_B - I was thinking that a Cocooi wrap would be a good idea. We got one for Cuinn and I thought it might be the most practical thing for baby for a wee while. (For later, I gave my brother a daddy bag too, although he couldn't understand why it had so many pockets    He'll work it out!)

For now, I think we just keep things crossed. Mum is determined to make it to 30 weeks, and she's that blimmin rock headed, she may just do it. But, where the mind is willing sometimes ... so I just want to be a bit prepared to offer the best support I can.

Thanks everyone!!

So sorry to hear Ginger, I'll keep my fingers crossed that Mum and bubs both stay well for a lot longer yet. My thoughts and prayers to them.
I stumbled across this today whilst trawling through $1 reserves in a fit of boredom, maybe your mum could do a few of them?

Will be thinking of you all

I know my aunty knitted this cool wee wrap for my cousin's baby that they use in the NICU down here (when they get a bit bigger obviously). Have no idea what the name is but you could google it.