Premature Birth Support Group
Premature birth is defined medically as childbirth occurring earlier than 37 completed weeks of gestation. About 12 percent of babies in the United States are born prematurely each year. The shorter the term of pregnancy is, the greater the risks of complications. Infants born prematurely are at a greater risk for developing serious health problems such as cerebral palsy,...
Hey,
I'm 17 now, I was in the NICU for 6 months back when they didn't cover incubators much or have those little pillows for the baby's heads so they didn't deform. My twin brother's sack broke and we were born 45 minutes apart. In-between my Mom almost bled out but she refused a transfusion unless she was about to die because the AIDS screening wasn't reliable enough. My brother died the day after we were born from a combination of a massive stroke and a numothorax. I spent 6 months in the NICU; I had a patent ductus surgery and another where they freeze parts of the retina so the eye doesn't degenerate or separate or something, Im not really sure. I think they use a laser now. I was given some sort of steroid for my lungs at birth; it wasn't approved by the FDA at the time. I had a minor stroke. My Mom rocks, she heard the nurses referring to the babies as fetuses and made me little clothes. She kept a detailed book of all my meds and any changes etc, I started having a heart arrhythmias and she linked it to some medicine I was being given. The docs didn't believe her and now it is listed on the side effects. A nurse quit since she was so b*tchy! Not that it is necessarily a good thing, but hey, I lived! I have a learning disability but know it doesn't show up on their little tests.
So, I hope this brings you hope! This was 17 years ago. All the doctors thought we would be still born but my brother came out crying and so they were ready for me! Anyway, doctors aren't always right and babies can greatly exceed expectations! Every year around my birthday my parents say they need to invite this one doc who, rather rudely, told my mom I would probably be blind and deaf and I would never complete high school or hold a job. I took the SAT in 7th grade for a talent identification program at Duke University, thank you very much.
However, in the unlikely event that you are still reading this post.....
I was wondering if any of you had read about long term psychological affects of the NICU. I have some mental health issues similar to what abused children deal with and many counselors/ psychiatrists have claimed it was because of my 6 months in the NICU/ 2 months without being held... granted now days they have a much more hands on approach with parents (that is what the head doc at the NICU said when I went to visit this summer) The lights are dimmer, the incubators are covered, the sounds are softer, the fact that preemies can feel pain is acknowledged.... though as far as I know most people knew that 17 years ago....
I'm 17 now, I was in the NICU for 6 months back when they didn't cover incubators much or have those little pillows for the baby's heads so they didn't deform. My twin brother's sack broke and we were born 45 minutes apart. In-between my Mom almost bled out but she refused a transfusion unless she was about to die because the AIDS screening wasn't reliable enough. My brother died the day after we were born from a combination of a massive stroke and a numothorax. I spent 6 months in the NICU; I had a patent ductus surgery and another where they freeze parts of the retina so the eye doesn't degenerate or separate or something, Im not really sure. I think they use a laser now. I was given some sort of steroid for my lungs at birth; it wasn't approved by the FDA at the time. I had a minor stroke. My Mom rocks, she heard the nurses referring to the babies as fetuses and made me little clothes. She kept a detailed book of all my meds and any changes etc, I started having a heart arrhythmias and she linked it to some medicine I was being given. The docs didn't believe her and now it is listed on the side effects. A nurse quit since she was so b*tchy! Not that it is necessarily a good thing, but hey, I lived! I have a learning disability but know it doesn't show up on their little tests.
So, I hope this brings you hope! This was 17 years ago. All the doctors thought we would be still born but my brother came out crying and so they were ready for me! Anyway, doctors aren't always right and babies can greatly exceed expectations! Every year around my birthday my parents say they need to invite this one doc who, rather rudely, told my mom I would probably be blind and deaf and I would never complete high school or hold a job. I took the SAT in 7th grade for a talent identification program at Duke University, thank you very much.
However, in the unlikely event that you are still reading this post.....
I was wondering if any of you had read about long term psychological affects of the NICU. I have some mental health issues similar to what abused children deal with and many counselors/ psychiatrists have claimed it was because of my 6 months in the NICU/ 2 months without being held... granted now days they have a much more hands on approach with parents (that is what the head doc at the NICU said when I went to visit this summer) The lights are dimmer, the incubators are covered, the sounds are softer, the fact that preemies can feel pain is acknowledged.... though as far as I know most people knew that 17 years ago....
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I have been here before, a long long time ago and now I am back.Forgive me for not just saying what I want to say,even under a triple dose of antidepressants it is still raw and seeping and I am hesitant at revealing it as at least under the bandages around my heart I don,t have to look at how raw and wounded.My child was cleaved from my heart by his own actions. my child of ten,turning eleven...
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
When I refused to check out, they started feeding me with a medicine dropper.
I have never had any problems except with my eyes. I have had hemmorages in both eyes, but , thank God, they have cleared up over time.
Lisa
Mom to Jared a former 25 weeker
~Einstein was a Preemie Too~
*I am nori04 btw, I had account troubles when I tried to change the email address*
When I was still breathing about 6 hours later, they decided to put me in an incubator and start feeding me.
My mother almost bled to death when I was born, so she didn't know they didn't actively try to save me until the doctor told her.
I would like to ask you.... as a twin did you ever feel loss? They say twins have that special connection, is this your experience?
My daughter knows she had a twin and she talks about seeing her in heaven someday. But I wonder how it will effect her life?
She is too funny... a few days ago she was praying and she said "God I know Mom, Dad, and I will have a great time in heaven, but first I want to live just a little longer!" :)