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twinmommy · 08-23-2010, 10:46 PM

I know that no parent wants to see their baby in NICU, but I really, really hope that this baby does not come so early that he/she ends up in NICU. It was such a rollercoaster of emotions.

I have been a lot less anxious overall with this pregnancy because the risks are not as high since it is a singleton pregnancy.

For those of you with a NICU baby, did you worry about the possibility of it happening again in your next pregnancy?

Indigo74 · 08-23-2010, 11:00 PM

Oh I sure did, twinmommy. My son was born at 29 weeks so he was in the NICU for 2 months. He did really well and we were soooooo blessed that he is healthy. At the time he was in the NICU, I think we were just on autopilot. I didn't have anything to compare it to and we just did what we had to do. But it was so draining and stressful.....When it came time to start thinking about #2, I worried that I would never feel ready. To me, I felt I needed to be ready to go through the NICU experience again.

I wasn't overwhelmed with anxiety with my pregnancy with DD, but it was in the back of my head all the time---being ready for it. And I think every week past 24weeks, I kept thinking “this might be the week“ LOL

Once I made it to 29 weeks, it was all bonus time and my anxiety level disappeared.

I think it's very understandable....not easy though. Hugs to you

Marvin · 08-24-2010, 07:39 AM

Yes! I even started a thread about it.
Subsequent non-NICU babies

I tried to take it easy but still ended up on hospital bedrest at 30 weeks. I was so nervous, but ended up going a week longer than I did with DS. I think it was easier doing the NICU the second time around bc nothing was 'new' and I knew exactly what to expect. The nurses had more confidence in me and let us go home more quickly (DD was only 4lbs 8oz at discharge.)

Remember that last time you were carrying twins though, so your chance of going early was MUCH higher than it is now. Try to relax and I'm sure you'll be fine.

Happily Ever After · 08-24-2010, 08:40 AM

I am terrified of it.
My friend who went at 29 weeks last time did manage to go to 40 weeks this time but it took a lot of medical intervention (weekly needles. ultrasounds etc). Also she spent almost over 2 months in the hospital while they were delaying labour.
DH is terrified and said that he does not want to go through it again. I don't want to go through all the medical things. I was told that if they don't know why you went early the first time, you have a better chance of going early again.
Sorry about my ramblings. THIS plays a huge part in our decision to have another.
I do think it could probley be a lot different though since you are only carrying one this time.
I will send lots of stay in there baby vibes!

kikis6kids · 08-24-2010, 10:39 AM

I did and he ended up coming early (only 4 weeks early though) and ended up in the NICU because he was blue

it broke my heart. Thankfully he was home within a week and he was blue because of a mild heart condition that he will out grow with age.

With Dawson I was worried sick, I ended up on hospital bed rest from weeks 30-35 then was allowed to go home because if labor continued and progressed they would not stop it anyway, Thankfully he was born 2 weeks later on our c section induction date and came home with me 3 days later with NO nicu stay

Chelle · 08-24-2010, 11:33 AM

Yep. I am 14 weeks pregnant right now and that is one of my biggest concerns. My DS was born at almost 34 weeks, so it wasn't as bad as a lot of people go through, but I'm several years older now, and I have had 2 kids, and 2 bad pregnancies. So far this one is going well, so I'll wait and see. I would love to make it at least to 36 weeks, so we don't have to deal with respirators, etc. this time. I feel like I'm just kind of expecting bed rest though. I've been teaching DD and DS to do things like laundry and vacuuming in case I'm not able to.

Becky Newell · 08-24-2010, 11:05 PM

i didnt have a preemie, but i did have a baby with a life threatening defect, which resulted in a NICU stay. When i was pregnant with my DS, i was extremely anxious, and i kept comparing my pregnancy with him, to my pregnancy with DD2. Even though there was a small chance that i would have another baby with the same baby, the chance was still there, and because of that, i was a nervous wreck the entire pregnancy

laurensmom · 08-24-2010, 11:11 PM

I never had a NICU baby, but two friends of mine did. Both went on to have second babies that were overdue

Good luck.

Joanna · 08-25-2010, 09:32 AM

I'm not as worried as DF. He is mortified about being in the NICU again. That is why we just started trying for another baby. My water broke at 24 weeks last time, so I think that when I do get pregnant, I will be relieved every week past 24.

Greenwaves · 08-25-2010, 11:01 AM

DS was a preemie and was in the NICU when I was pregnant with DD I was very worried I would have another preemie and had a stitch put in. I was 17 weeks when it was put in and 1.5cm dilated!!! She ended up in the NICU because she was born with a heart defect. IF I have any more I worry that they will end up in the NICU also.

My3boys · 08-27-2010, 06:26 PM

I was scared it would happen. DS1 was born at 34 weeks and although he spent very little time in hospital, he was more difficult than full-term babies.

However, my other two tried to make up for DS1 being early. DS2 was 5 days late and DS3 was induced at almost 2 weeks late and still took almost 24 hours to arrive.

lakimu · 08-28-2010, 08:17 AM

DS1 was born 6 weeks early and I am very concerned about the possibility of this happening again with this pregnancy. I was told we had a 15-20% chance. Because they don't know “why“ it happened in the first place, they aren't offering any preventative measures (I guess because the can't be sure they are necessary?)
It weighs heavy on me at times but I'm trying to trust my body and trust the baby to do what they need to do!

twinmommy · 08-28-2010, 09:01 AM

Okay, ladies I just needed reassurance that the baby would come on time

none of these stories about being overdue...lol. I so do not want to be 40 weeks pregnant on Christmas Day. For me, it would be perfect at 38 weeks, but I guess the baby will let me know when it's ready for it's debut!