My New Nephew Born at 24 Weeks.

[dillydAlly]

Well I just wanted to post a topic in here to tap into all of your seemingly endless wisdom.

Sorry If this is stupidly long post.

My Beautiful sister gave birth to my newest Nephew at 24 weeks. This was two weeks ago. He weighed 900g :no:

Just a bit of background. I am the youngest of three sisters and my sisters are 40 and 43. I already have two beautiful nephews one 6 amd one 3. Both were born fine with only minor complications.

Anyway I digress. My oldest sister lives up in North Queensland in a little mining town called Ravenswood (about 1 hour out of Townsville). My dad lives in Townsville so my sis has support.

My sis's waters broke and they kept an eye on her to watch for infection. She began to develop an infection so they had to remove the bub.

I honestly don't know what to do for her. She has now had to relocate her whole life to Townsville and has a rambunctious (sp?) 3 year old to look after. My other sis and I are both really worried about her. She is the kind of mum that takes 100 photos of shirts etc that we gave our other nephews and I swear she must have 3 cameras for every member of her house hold. We haven't recieved one single photo :no:. I guess selfishly I would like to see photos so I know who I am praying for but I am assuming she is not taking photos because she fears the worst.

The baby has done really well so far, eyes open and lungs look great but he is just soo little that I still worry.

I couldn't get up to see her because of financial and work reasons but I also figure that having another person up there (her mum was there) really would make it 'too many cooks in the kitchen'.

I am thinking about saving up and going up at the end of May? Does anyone think this would be too soon??? Can anyone share how they were feeling in a similar situation etc?

I went to Pumkin Patch and told the girls there how little my nephew was they recommended some of the Teddy Bear clothes. They showed me them and I honestly felt like crying. :( They are sooooo little. I bought them anyway and sent them up so they would have something. I also sent flowers and numerous sms's telling her how much I love and support her. Is this enough?

Can anyone help me with any stories of babies who are born this prematurely? Will they lead a seemingly normal life?? Should I foucs on my sister or the baby??


Any advice would be appreciated....

TIA

[subaruforestermum]

Hey I dont really know what to say, :hugs: firstly...my friend had her bub only 4 weeks early, and he was born 1.6kg so no at huge difference. I think being born at 24weeks at 900g is quiet good in size.

Anyway her bub is now 4 months and nearly 4kilos. It was hard for them, but he was a fighter from the start.

She may feel alone and just trying to cope with this herself rather than thinking about how everyone else is feeling about her not corresponding. I know from my friends point of view, they were more intent on staying by their sons side.

I hope things work out for the best......

[MummaBear03]

My best friend's little brother was born at 24 weeks at 500g and is well now, a little short with a deep voice but a normal 26 year old nonetheless. Although my best friend would probably not call him normal :p

You sound very supportive. I'm in Townsville, and the facilities in the hospitals here are fantastic. I may know your sister since I know quite a few people from Ravenswood :detective: but lost touch with many over the last 6 or so years.

Best wishes to you and your family :flowerz:

BTW my best friend's brother was born in a time where all they did was wrap him up in alfoil and give him to his mother to die in her arms, at that age it was non-resuscitation and the baby was expected to die within the hour. Things have improved drastically over the last 1/4 century.

[dillydAlly]

Hey MummaBear.

What a small world! My sis has been up in Ravenwood for the last two years. Her name is Sandra. She has just found a house to rent in Douglas so she is just near the hospital. I haven't lived there in about 6 years so I haven't been to the new Hospital but I have heard that they have good facilities.

Yes I guess that things have changed alot since those days. :thumbsup:

Ally

[SPC]

Hi, I'm a NICU nurse; just some brief thoughts. 900g is a really good weight for a 24 weeker. And if he's made it through the first 24 hours he's already doing well. If you have a look around flickr.com you'll find lots of collections of preemie photos, like this http://flickr.com/photos/tags/24weeker/
In the first few days of life 24 weekers are kept in near dark, in 80-100% humidity in a incubator at 30-35oC and have lots of wires and tubes. They aren't adapted to life outside the womb and need help stabilising themselves and regulating just about every bodily function. But mostly they need leaving alone, which isn't easy, so no photographs isn't a bad sign; there just might not be many photo opportunities yet.
Very premature babies usually just wear a nappy in an incubator for the first month of life, as there are so many wires. But once he's bigger http://www.austprem.org.au/resources/products.shtml
If you're handy then knitted blankets, [a tight knit to avoid little fingers getting trapped in the weave], soft small sheets and incubator covers, [to keep out the light and help him sleep] are all useful things to make. Little bunnies with long ears to hold are also handy, but some units won't allow soft toys in the incubators.
Concentrate on supporting your sister. She will need support with expressing milk, and that is absolutely the best thing she can do to help her baby. Breast milk can make the difference between survival or not in very prem babies, so everything to help that, [back massages, helpful pictures, something that smells of the baby, buying her own pump, lots and lots of moral support, anything to reduce stress], is probably the most useful help.
Hopefully she'll soon baby able to have the baby out for 'kangaroo care', which will help stabilise the baby, by being close to mum, and to boost her milk and reassure your sister. Let us know how he gets on and I hope he's a little fighter, he sounds like he's off to a good start already. :yelclap:

[dillydAlly]

Singlepregnantchick - Thankyou so much for all those very informative words. :thumbsup:

He is doing very well I guess as he is nearly 2 weeks old. My sis did mention something about then making sure she still had contact with the bubba buy "kangaroo care" i wasn't sure what that meant ;)

Wow those photos are just beautiful!!! I relaly hope she will send us a pic soon.

Singlepregnantchick it sounds like you have had alot of experience and knowledge, what an assett to have on this forum!

I will certainly keep you posted I will call my sis tonight and find out how its all going!!!!

Ally:fingerscrossed:

[naiwen]

Hey there AJ my baby was born at 845g and 30 weeks, I cant do a long post now but I will be on tommorrow.

Just wanted to say that she is not ignoring you, you just need all you time and energy for you baby and you have none left to spend on anyone else kwim?

He sounds like he is a great weight and it's totally normal not too have any photos at this point.

Hugs

[dillydAlly]

Hey Naiwen, thankyou for your post and I look forward to hearing more from you.

I just got off the phone from my sis. She os exhausted. DH has gone back to the hosp tonight as Nic had to back on oxygen. Singlepregnantchick she is expressing!!! He apparently isn't a big fan :no:.

They have just found a house and are stying somewhere close to the hospital.

My poor sis, she has just had a c section and has had to go back and forth from the hospital everyday, running around after a crazy 3 year old and moving into a new house.

I am going to go up for a weekend on the 16th just as an extra set of hands. I will stay with my dad and hire a car so I can take my nephew. I thought i might use their house and make them a roast dinner so they can have a touchof home.

I feel so sorry for my sis she doesn't sound like she is coping at all :no: i guess she must feel like she has done something wrong or feels like she has failed.

Anyway I am going up by myself and not taking my DP as this could make things more complicated.

Thank god for Virgin Blue $99 flights.....

Ally:confused:

[naiwen]

Hey Ally,

Thats great to hear that she is expressing, it really reduces the risk of NEC which is an awfull issues with premmies.

If you look in the birth stories section my story is in there, probably not the same as your sister but might give you some idea.

Those feelings of guilt are sadly normal, they do ease with time though. I am thrilled you are going up to help her as it will mean so much to her to have you there for some support.

How is he doing? Is he on CPAP/Vent, is he on TPN/NG feeds. how much supplimental oxygen is he on? lol trying to get an idea so I can help more.

My son was on TPN and vent/CPAP for 2 weeks. He still has oxygen at night now but thats no big deal really.

Please feel free to PM me with any questions etc

[Feral]

It is wonderful that you are able to go to her to be of support.
My bub was born 4 weeks prem, I guess the thing I would like to tell you is for me it was the little things that mattered, when I was spending all my time in the NICU and SCN, with bub and expressing milk, I had no time to find meals, make phone calls, wash bubs cloths etc and my DH was near exhaustion trying to be as much support as he could to us both, so if you can help your sis out with little things like a cooler bag with snacks,food & drinks, offer to make any phone calls to family etc, do what you can to help her DH, a break from the driving, make sure he's fed and got clean clothes etc, it frees him up to be more support to her, and even just being beside her when she has to express for company, some things you might need to ask her first as the ICU have certain ways of doing things, eg visitors etc, but also go with your gut feeling of what little things would make a difference, I hope this helps, good luck

[dillydAlly]

Naiwen - Hmmm I guess I'm not really up to speed with the finer details and terms :no: As far as I know he is on what my sis calls "ventalator" and he is being tube fed her breast milk.

I will PM you later tonight after dinner to ask a few more questions. I figure the more advice I can get from some mums that are experieinced the more seemingly stupid questions I already know the answers too.

Feral - I def think that is the angle I am going to go. I am a home maker at heart and although I know my sister is stubborn and doesn't like help I am going to help anyway.

I have booked my flights for the 16th of May and I will be there for 5 days. I will use my powers of childcare (insert evil laugh) and steal my 3 yr old nephew and keep him occupied. I also thought that If i can take my sis places and runerrands for her then that would help.

I have been helping out a family friend lately who wife has just left him with the kids and I have been busy making meals and freezing them. I thought I might do this and fill their freezer and fridge with yummy meals.

Hopefully I will be able to help out without getting to in my sis face. My sis did mention something about the NICU not letting them be any visitors because of infection etc but I spose my sis will let me see him once.

I really can't wait to go up there. I am the youngest of 5 kids and I adore my two older sisters. Even though I don't have kids I seem to the one in the family that everyone goes to for advice about children so it will be lovely to spend some time just "being" there for my sister.

Thanks for the advice girls. It is so lovely to think that there is always someone to give them opinion when your mind can't seem to function.

My partner and I have started trying to get pregnant so I will def be on her ALOT...

Cheers

Ally:hugs:

[SPC]

It sounds like he's doing very well. :yelclap: Usually bubs stay in hospital til about their due date, so it'll ba a long haul yet. Your sister is very lucky to have you.

[dillydAlly]

Ok well I just got an sms from my sister in reply from my message telling her I had booked my flights to go up to Townsville.

She pretty much told me not to come up as she doesn't want visitors!!! :confused:

I just spoke to my other sister and she thinks that my sis might be suffering post natal. I think I will still go up anyway i think as I have booked everything. I guess I will just go up and let her know I am there if she needs me. I guess it will be good to see my dad etc.

Makes me worry though. As my other sister said, If something happens to our little nephew will we ever see photos or be able to know who we are mourning?

Sorry am just a bit numb now... Guess I don't have any right to be upset. I will try and put myself in her shoes....

Ally

[FluffyBunny]

That is sad that she doesn't want you to come up.
I guess if you still go, then you are there is she does need you.
No doubt she is going through a lot at this point in time though so the best thing you could give her is support as it is not only herself and her immediate family who is affected, it is also the likes of yoursel (her sister) too.
I hope all goes ok :)

[naiwen]

Hey There Aj22,

How is you sister and her bub?

Hope all is going well

[dillydAlly]

Hi Naiwen,

I haven't really spoken much to my bigger sis. As far as i know Nic is fine and progressing ok. My sis is another matter. I am still going up to Townsville next Friday and I will check up on her then. I thought she might just be getting a bit stressed as everyone was trying to ask her if she is ok.

I am taking my laptop so I can post and let you all know how they are going. Thanks soooooo much for the concern. I hope things are going well with your little one?

Ally:thumbsup:

[dillydAlly]

Hi All.

Thought I might give you all an update on my little Nephew. I am going up this Friday (yes I am extremely excited) to see my sis.

Things seemed to have settled down a little with her and she hopefully be in the mood to see me.

The little man Nic is now 1160g!!!! He is no longer on the (forgive the incorrect terminology) internal oxygen and his lungs are doing ok. Apparently now he is only on the nose oxygen thingy.

Daddy had his first cuddle last night which was very exciting and mummy has done kangaroo care 2 more times.

My sis told me that he had a brain bleed which has now sorted itself out as well as them having to resus him a couple of times which included massaging his little heart. He has been stable now for a week.

it's nice to hear that some things are looking up for the little man.

:yelclap:

Ally

[Shajbm]

Ally, That's great news about your nephew. I hope all goes smoothly from here on in and that he'll be home in no time.

Hope your sister is okay when you get there.

I keep thinking of you guys and thanks for the update...

[naiwen]

Ally that sounds great,

Sounds to me like they have got him of the ventilator and he is on CPAP which is brilliant, being over 1kg is a real milestone too. hopefully he will be of CPAP and out of NICU and into SCN soon!

Maybe you sister will feel a bit more like seeing people now that he is more stable and she has been able to hold him.

Keep us updated!

[dillydAlly]

Thanks ladies. :wave:

I REALLY love it on bh. It is so supportive and informative. Nice to know there are lots of lovely ladies out there thinking bout ya.


Ciao...

Not long now....am getting nervous.


:smiliedance: Ally

[michelleR]

Hi aj22 just wondering how your sis and bub are doing?

My son was also prem and I have been following this thread :). Hope your trip was good.

[dillydAlly]

Hi Michelle!

Yes the trip was ok. Saw my sis lots. My baby Nephew was ok for the first coupel of days I was up there. My sis was breast feeding fine and he was putting on the weight. On my Third day he started to go downhill. I had to go and look after my other nephew while my sis and bro in law had to rush up as he had developed an infection in his bowel and was getting tests etc done to find out if they would have to operate. This is what ended up happening. He went in for surgery and had a colostomy bag inserted. He also went back on the assisted breathing as well as being drugged up on morphie so he sleeps. I left on Tuesday and when I was getting ready to leave he was still in the same state. He will be pretty much out to it for the next two weeks and in 3 weeks they need to make sure that they can take out the colostomy bag.

My other sis is up there this weekend and I will find out how everything is going. I am trying to give my sis some space.

My sis is still expressing but obviouslt freezing as he is on a drip....

He is very cute and perfecty porportioned and I think he will be ok. Just have to send some good vibes up that way...... I will keep everyone posted on how it all goes.....

[Shajbm]

Hi Ally,

Shame about the setback. These things do happen though and quite often. Ben developed an infection and went downhill for a while and then once he recovered he did well again. This unfortunately is the rollercoaster ride that everyone talks about...

Sending positive vibes his way. By the way, has the little man got a name yet?

[dillydAlly]

Hi Shajbm,

Yes they are defintely on a rollercoaster. I think they really want to get off now :confused:...

His name is Nicholas.

Ally

[michelleR]

I'm sure your sis appreciated your visit. Nicholas is a lovely name :). There are definately a few set backs along the way, but it will be sooo worth it when your sis finally has her little man home with her.

Sending "get bigger and stronger quickly" vibes to Nicholas :babydust2:.

Michelle

[Shajbm]

Nicholas is a beautiful and strong name. He will go far. Sending prayers your way little man. Get well soon so you can really start to live life.

[dillydAlly]

Hi Girls.....:wave:

Well i just spoke to my sis! I am offically aloud to tell everyone that Nicholas is VERY stable!!!!!!

He is nearly double his birth weight and Is off the respirator etc. He is in an open air crib and is doing VERY well..

I am thinking that my visit was the turning point for a bit of positvitiy within the family. I think she realised that we all love her endlessly and not matter what happens that will never change that........

I am so happy and relieved!!!

Thanks girls for all your support. I will continue to update you all on how he goes and what he's been doing...

You are all such strong wonderful women... I envy you all :hugs:

A

[Shajbm]

Ally,

That's such wonderful news. Thanks for the update.

[naiwen]

aj22 I am so thrilled!

He is a very brave and special boy and I am sure you will all treasure him.

I am so glad your sister has picked up too, NICU is such a hard time.

[FluffyBunny]

Wow that is wonderful news to hear and I'm glad to hear that all is going well with Nicholas :)

A family friends of ours had her baby just over a week and a half ago at 24 weeks gestation weighing in at 1 lb 5oz. All is going well so far so we are sending lots of prayers their way.
It really makes me thankful and grateful that all of my children were carried to full term and I feel really selfish when I grumbled that my last bub was a week overdue!

[dillydAlly]

Ok so I have some fantastic news on my little Nephew....

He is now in Level 1 Nursery... No tubes and no monitors on him anymore!!!!!!!!
3.1kg last weight and he should be home soon!!!!!!!!

I'm so excited for my sis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Ally

[Nowhere]

thats great news what a clever little man, Good luck to your sister for Gotcha day