#NICUbabies

[iammrsemily]

This song is a special one for me. My pregnancy was for sure a surprise, but a welcomed surprise. It was beautiful but also a tough pregnancy.

STORY TIME:

When I found out I was pregnant it took me some time to process because I was on a birth control and was for sure not planning to have any more children, my mind was set that one was more than enough that I could handle, but God had other plans.

My daughter fought to be brought to this world from the very start. I went through a lot of health scares while pregnant, there was HG, High Blood Pressure , Gestational Diabetes, Chronic Placenta Abruption (which is what lead me to be on complete bed rest and to having her come to this world a little bit earlier than expected) and this is without mentioning the emotional stuff happening all around me. I saw darkness throughout most of my pregnancy honestly - her kicks were my reminders that she was there, and although at moments were painful, they also would bring a smile to my face - knowing that there was a fierce little mini me growing in there.

I remember when I first heard this song, I had just received some disappointing information about someone really close to me; and to add to that was going through just so much in other areas that I just laid on the floor and looked up and screamed, what else? What else is next? What else do I need to go through? Why not just give me a break? Why can’t I just have a period of continuous happiness?

Then I rolled over, grabbed my phone and scrolled through Facebook, and came across this song. As if God answered those questions I asked him 3 minutes prior to finding that song.

“Giving in to your feelings is like drowning in the shallows - Oh you got to keep believing even in the middle of the unknown cause Grace will be there when you come at the end of your rope and you let go, it may feel like you’re going down now but the story isn’t over. There will be joy in the morning, there will be joy in the morning, if it’s not good then He’s not done, no He’s done with it yet, there will be joy in the morning.”

Aubrey definitely made an entrance. My princess was due to arrive on 8/23. However, she arrived on 07/29. She was so tiny but long. She was so hairy too! I was so happy! I couldn’t wait for them to finish up with me so I could be reunited with her at my room. Unfortunately, she was transferred to the NICU 1 hour later after I had her. She couldn’t breathe on her own. It was heartbreaking for me. It wasn’t part of MY plan. I didn’t expect it. I didn’t expect me being away from my daughter. I didn’t expect that when I would see her again after the 5 seconds they put her on me when she was born I would see her covered in wires and a breathing tube, in a cube. It was so hard, I felt numb. Confused. I thought it would maybe be for a night - but then things were getting more complicated. At moments when I thought she was getting better, she would have a set back. It was an emotional roller coaster ride - but she was a fighter. After I was officially discharged I was a wreck to have to come home without my daughter. I felt so incomplete. I felt so confused. So conflicted, because yes she was in the condition she was in - but there were babies in worst conditions in there, I’m talking 20 week old babies in there fighting for their lives as well. NICU is definitely a life changing experience and changes your views and thoughts on so many things. My heart goes out to every parent who have gone through that, and are currently going through that.

The night that I went home without her, I just stayed in bed. Didn’t want to see anyone, talk to anyone. My son was confused, because I even pushed him away. I feel guilty for that till this day. The emptiness that I felt is one I wouldn’t wish on anyone. That night I prayed for a miracle, then I played my playlist and that song came on again…

“Cause it ain’t even faith til your plan falls apart but you still choose to follow, if it doesn’t make sense right now it will when it’s over. There will be joy in the morning, there will be joy in the morning, if it’s not good, then He’s not done, no He’s not done with it yet, there will be joy in the morning.”

I prayed, cried, and screamed in my pillow. Then I fell asleep. The next morning my husband and I went to the hospital, and got the news she was coming home. The doctors were in shocked as well and called it a miracle, my baby girl was breathing on her own. God made those lungs strong and allowed air to flow through them. I can’t explain the joy that my heart felt, my princess had a different color to her, she was just a different baby. I felt so grateful, primarily with God, also with those amazing hard working loving nurses and doctors.

My princess was heaven sent. Her strength is definitely to be admired. She is so smart and is building such a personality. I feel like she’s a boss baby. Here I am with her almost 6 months later. Every time I see her, I remember that she is God’s miracle and she was given to me. What an Honor to have been chosen to be her mother. God has been so good, she was the piece to me that I did not know was missing. Aubrey is a representation of His Love, His Grace and His Mercy. Thank you, God for showing me so much love through her.

If you’re going through a rough period in your life, run to Him. Lean on to Him, to His word, to His Promise.

There will be joy in the morning, there will be joy in the morning, if it’s not good then He’s not done, no He’s not done with it yet, there will be joy in the morning. 🤍

[irishprematurebabies]

I think we all have bragging rights when it comes to our preterm babies. They are pretty incredible. #instaireland #preterm #prematurity #nicumiracle #nicustrong #nicubabies #irishprematurebabies #irishtwins #NICU #neonatolgy (at Ireland (country)) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpOLN3FqZsU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[nehacrafties]

NICU Unisex Long Sleeve Sweatshirt for someone working in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. - link in the bio . . . . #nicu #nicubaby #preemie #nicumom #preemiestrong #niculife #nehacrafties #prematurebaby #micropreemie #preemiebaby #baby #nicustrong #nicuwarrior #premature #preemiepower #newborn #nicugraduate #nicubabies #nicugrad #neonatalintensivecareunit #nicujourney #preemiemom #miraclebaby #nicunurse #nicusweatshirt #nicuawareness #nicushirt #love #neonatal #nicuawarenessmonth https://www.instagram.com/p/CmbFYuqoila/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[prole-my-tariat]

Bit of a Hail Mary and I really hate to ask given how many people need help, but we’re desperate.

Our baby is in the NICU with no discharge date in sight. I had severe preeclampsia and my body went into preterm labour.

As a result, I had to go on leave almost two months early. We have no money and were trying to make it to when we get approved for food stamps and my disability. It’s going to take at least a month. Due to my leave, I have none of the money I thought I’d have for bills and food.

If you are in a place to help, thank you so much. If you could repost or even spread it across other social media platforms, we would appreciate it so much.

I hope you all have a beautiful day!

[dr-scarlette-witch]

14.06.2024

Completing 45 days of NICU, but confident with newborn resuscitations, critical and intensive care is still a far reach for me. Also gave my FAT exam for the year. My dates were announced 5 days before the actual exam and I was never prepared for basic sciences. So the exam was bad. I might pass but it was bad nonetheless. Past months have been blur, I couldnt concentrate on pediatrics nor neonatalogy. I hope that I get past this study block soon.

[peggy-sue-reads-a-book]

Ten days post-partum (cw: birth trauma, childbirth, nicu)

.

.

.

.

My favorite shirt fits again

My jeans not so much

I’ve formed an unhealthy attachment to this one cup from the hospital

I still have nightmares

But I’ve stopped waking up screaming. At least for now.

I haven’t left my house.

But I’m mad claustrophobic and compulsively open all the windows no matter the temperature

I bought some more art for my house. Like ya do. Will probably spend money on candles later.

My best friend’s toddler picked me some flowers and presented them to me while I was crying on the toilet. I can’t throw them away.

I feel so empty when I’m not holding Teddy. So empty.

The roses in my yard bloomed while I was gone.

I will probably watch Anna Karenina twice this week.

I want my mom

I’m clingy and weird at my husband

I cry every day

I can’t remember basic information like times and dates

I’ll think I’m fine to let someone else hold the baby

I have a panic attack anyway

It’s ok

[polysanders-is-fricken-beautiful]

Heya! My family has been in some financial trouble lately and I’m just posting this here in the hopes of absolutely anyone who gets to see this being willing to donate. Our situation is explained pretty well in the donation thing. I know most of us aren’t in a good place financially so I hope no one feels bad if they don’t have the extra funds. I understand completely. My biggest hope is that this’ll somehow reach the people who can and will spare some money. Every bit helps while we try to get through this rocky period.

[rin-the-cat]

(Not so) mini rant here because I don't want to start a flame war on Facebook but I can't believe people who say, "I could NEVER leave my BABY at the HOSPITAL." This on a video of a woman bringing in the carseat because her baby that's been in the nICU for a month is ready to get home. The person also said "I get that she has kids at home but I would get a sitter," Really? You are going to go a month without seeing your other kids so you can sit in the hospital with your baby? My younger son was in the nICU for 3 days and I couldn't stand not seeing my older son that long so I sat in the nICU all day and went home in time to see my older son before he went to bed. My older son was in the hospital for a couple days after I was discharged and I stayed with him the whole time but he wasn't in the nICU and they just left us in the hospital room. But in the nICU we weren't even allowed to stay overnight, we could have stayed in the Ronald McDonald house, and at that point I may as well go home and see my other kid and sleep in my own bed.

This woman's kid had only been in the nicu for a month but there were tons of women in the comments who had babies in the nicu for months. Do you seriously expect me to believe that you would spend 100+ days in a tiny little nICU room sleeping on a very uncomfortable couch and never leave because you're afraid they're going to mix up your baby with another one? (this was the reason she gave for not leaving) I feel like this person either hasn't had a baby recently or they have never had a baby period because:

There is no way the hospital could have handed me the wrong baby and I would know it, contrary to popular belief babies are not all identical. I feel like the baby switches happened back in the day when they took the baby and kept them in the nursery so the mom's just didn't see their babies that much maybe? It's possible they got switched before the mom really saw the baby because they would take them out to clean them up right away.

With my first son, they never even took him out of the room. With my second son, I don't think they ever took him out of his room, they did everything right there, including bringing in a portable x-ray machine.

As soon as your baby is born they put a non removable wrist band on and they put one on the ankle. They also have an RIFD tag in the umbilical clamp. And they have to scan the barcode for everything they do. They can't even replace the fluid bag with out scanning the barcode on the wrist band so even if they managed to switch the baby, say then went into give an injection of something, they scan the barcode on the wrist band and they scan the barcode on the injection and the computer is going to go, "nope, that treatment is not authorized for this patient," and they're going to figure it out real quick.

It was heart breaking to leave my baby in the nICU less than 24 hours after I gave birth (he was born at a tiny little rural hospital and they had to transfer him to a nICU in the cities and they discharged me early so I could go with) but I never once worried about his safety, I knew he was in good hands it was just heartbreaking to be separated from him and heartbreaking to see the disappointment on my older son's face when we came home without a baby after I told him I was going to the hospital to have the baby.

There were some women in the comments saying, "I stayed with my baby the whole time, I couldn't have just left them there." but conveniently, none of them mentioned how long the stay was... like, there is no way you could completely stop your life and just sit in that room 24/7 for months, especially if you have older kids... like JFC. The poor woman is getting attacked for not staying in the hospital but if she said she didn't see her other kids for a month because she was in the hospital the whole time with the new baby she would get attacked for that. Do they think she went home and didn't visit or think about the baby the whole time? I'm sure she was there every single day, it's just extra exciting when they call you and tell you to bring the car seat in.

I'm probably extra salty about this because I know a woman who had a micro-premie, like if he had been born a couple days sooner they would not have attempted to save him. She went back to work as soon as she could so that she could take the maternity leave once she was able to bring him home so she could spend time with him then rather than sitting in his room and staring at him in the incubator. He was probably so fragile at that point that she couldn't even hold him. I'm sure she visited him every day, but she also knew that he was in good hands and he would need her more once he was home.

[chibabymumma]

The birth of Little lion

Strangely the pregnancy was amazing, no sickness, just some heartburn. I have mast cell disorder and finally I was able to eat all the things I couldn't eat, strawberries being a particularly wonderful favourite. It was like eating for the first time, for the longest time I didn't enjoy food, it was worse than beige but at least I could tolerate it. Being pregnant with little lion was like my taste buds finally came to life and everything was amazing even basic things I ate, fish fingers wrapped in lettuce, was completely sublime. I did have excess water and Little lion was growing big quickly. I had to have growth scans every 2 weeks, I kept being insulted by the Drs though... Well your the oldest mum on my books , like being 45 was a disaster! I felt a disaster.. but I sailed through it, unbelievably I was still shocked I was pregnant half the time looking at his scan photos thinking is this real? It can't be real? I remember the first scan as I had some viciously painful heart aching miscarriages before little lion, I was allowed a scan early. Those days COVID ruled the NHS and only I could attend in some ways I was happy about that, I didn't want to have a mental breakdown waiting. Those minutes waiting seemed forever I kept thinking to myself what if I'm not? The longest I had been pregnant in the past 2 years was 9 weeks 4 days. I remember my legs being so wobbly while I walked to the scan room, not knowing what to expect, but then there he was this tiny tiny little dot on the screen with his heart beating. I remember howling in relief and pain of all those wee ones I had lost. So much so that the midwife had to stop the scan as the tears and sobs were making my body shake. I walked out triumphant to my beloved who was pale faced and waiting for me outside the building. Waving the scan. One of the kind midwives walked me out to him, as I was so emotional, "show him" she said cheerfully while holding me steady, that's when it hit both of us, little lion is coming.

I was 35 weeks when Little lion started to get so sleepy. I was worried he had always been super active, trying to reassure me he was there, while I played music to him while I was in the bath. This night I remember peeing about a million times thinking I must have a UTI it's to early, suddenly in the middle of the night the pain started. I woke my beloved and him being him, said count the contractions and get me up when they are close together. I went downstairs and raised my other son who still lived at home, let's call him Joe, Joe ashen faced started panicking, "it's to early mum" this coming from my son who had said only a few days before

"bloody hell mum your the size of 3 double decker buses!"

We waited only a short while and the contractions quickend, to every 4 minutes. " I think you better phone an ambulance" Joe phoned and this is where he completely dissolved, I could hear the ambulance lady kindly telling Joe to calm down and asked where I was, "she's on the bed" "can you see a head" she asked , "I'm not looking there that's my mum!!" "Can you find a shoe lace?" Cue running around like a headless chicken, it was honestly like a comedy sketch! My beloved was finally awake and blinking frantically at the crazy scene in front of him, Joe frantically trying to get a shoe lace form his trainers, towels and talking to the 999 lady, me barely holding it together, as they were hitting hard these waves of pain. Finally they arrived, I was so thankful I just wanted the gas and air!! I held the crews arm so tight when the wave hit harder this time, finally in the ambulance. Racing to the hospital as we lived at the time over 45 minutes away, it seemed to pass in a blur, I kept being told I was doing well and the waves were every 4 minutes but I don't really remember all I kept thinking 4 minutes, it's like every second. There were roadworks.. the crew started getting frantic as I felt odd maybe it was the gas and air, who knows but the driver rushed out and asked to be let through. I heard him, prem baby coming, they moved the signs and we were back on our way, finally we got to the hospital. By this point I had barely spoken I rarely do when I'm in pain. They raced me to the labour ward the midwives were annoyed I had come by ambulance! The crew started telling them I'm prem, baby could come any minute. They didn't believe me. I got on the bed protesting as I wanted to stand up, they put the fetal monitor on and Little lion was so sleepy. I kept saying I think I'm going to have to push, "no no" they said it's to early. As I'm some sort of drama Queen making this up, 15 minutes after being in the hospital the gynaecologist had arrived, and gave me an internal I had never felt pain like it! They always have such huge hands, "she's 9cms dilated, I will break the waters" I felt the water flood, little lions head hitting my cervix hard, as his head engaged and within 8 minutes on a wave of water and pain he gushed out, barely any pushing he flew right out. The midwives and beloved all staring at him laying in-between my legs, me asking what happened? They took some time we all were in shock me the most, they asked beloved to cut his cord he couldn't he was shaking so much. They handed me little lion he wasn't breathing I remember screaming

"he's not breathing he's not breathing!"

She grabbed him from my arms and resuscitated him.

That's all I remember, my body and soul had detached and I wasn't in my self

This next part is from beloved

They gave little lion milk he died again in his father's arms, and resuscitated again, at the time we had no idea milk protein was so dangerous to him and could kill him. A short while later he died again in my arms, and again was resuscitated. He was rushed away and taken straight to the NICU while I had to wait and clean myself up. His blood sugars was 0.5 at this point in time we had no idea what was happening. I barely got to hold him, finally they let me see him, he was covered in wires we were told he had blood sugar issues and a slight heart murmur! Well the heart murmur turned out to be critical aortic stenosis, and the blood sugars were Congenital hyperinsulinemia. That was a tough night I just could not believe my beloved Deities would do this to me. By 5 am the main Peads Dr told us he wasn't comfortable and Little lion would be blue lighted to a huge hospital 3 hours away, well thank the Goddess they did, marconium had been found in his waters even though they dismissed me, like a naughty child. The crew came and saved him, he was put in a medically induced coma as they had to paralyze him to intubate little lion safely. The tubes and wires covered his tiny body as they wheeled him out to the ambulance I ran after them frantically saying goodbye. Until I was stopped by another midwife asking me to come back to the ward the Dr needs to see me. My fundus was to High. Little lion was blue lighting as I was signing myself out of hospital against advice to chase after my baby,that thanks to COVID was the last post partum care I had! we were bundled into a taxi and raced after him, of course him being prem his bag was just about ready mine wasn't I got to the huge city hospital 3 hours away with a car seat and the clothes we stood up. Finally we reached the ward. Vast swathes of doctors stood round him, we were shoved into a room for 8 hours while they tried to stabilise him. When we finally walked in, my legs gave way I will never forget the scene, his little body more wires so many banks of antibiotics, meds, how ? Just how did this happen?

We were sent to a cheap hotel by the hospital, we hadn't slept since he was born nearly 48 hours. That night as we tried to sleep. They fought hard for his life. There was marconium in the waters. Little lion died in the ambulance where they had to recusictate him once more and give him life saving antibiotics. We came back to the hospital after a tiny amount of sleep it was maybe 6 hours. He was finally stable, but not out of the woods, we found out little lion had :

Sepis

Collapsed lungs

Premature lung disease

Critical aortic stenosis

Blood sugar issues (we found out much later about the hyperinsulinemia and milk issues)

Rare jaundice

Enlarged liver

I just kept praying and praying and praying

That's as much as I can deal with right now. I don't think I truly recovered.

[curekaproducts]

Similac Neosure Infant Formula for Premature Babies has important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that support eye and brain development. Similac Neosure is loaded with essential nutrients and minerals to help in the overall development of infants.

[irishprematurebabies]

Whether you are a parent or a preterm baby, we all need support and comfort. We need to know that someone will be there for us during those difficult times. It's not a journey to travel alone. #preterm #pretermlabor #prematurebabiesawareness #picu #NICU #nicubabies #neonatology #ireland_gram #irishprematurebabies (at Ireland (country)) https://www.instagram.com/p/CofyjRJKkpc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[lovebug1011]

Watching my children grow has been the most world changing for me. They started out in this world with challenges from the start. Starting out with my oldest was 23 weeks and 5 days and weighed 1 lbs and 1 ozs to start and my youngest was 31 weeks and weighed 3 lbs 6 ozs. Everything is for ever changing.

[one-flower-blue]

[dgkhl]

Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, has several hospitals that provide critical care services to patients. Among the various services available, the ICU, NICU, PICU, and dialysis services are essential for patients with critical medical conditions. One of the prominent hospitals in Dhaka that offer these services is the Dhanmondi General and Kidney Hospital.

The ICU (Intensive Care Unit) is a specialized unit in a hospital that provides critical care to patients with life-threatening medical conditions such as severe infections, heart attacks, or respiratory failure. The ICU at Dhanmondi General and Kidney Hospital is equipped with modern equipment and staffed by experienced healthcare professionals to provide high-quality care.

The NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) is a specialized unit that provides care for newborn infants with critical medical conditions such as respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, or congenital heart disease. The NICU at Dhanmondi General and Kidney Hospital has state-of-the-art equipment and a dedicated team of neonatologists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to provide optimal care for newborns.

The PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) is a specialized unit that provides care for critically ill children. The PICU at Dhanmondi General and Kidney Hospital is equipped with advanced medical equipment and staffed by experienced pediatricians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to provide the best care possible for sick children.

Dialysis is a treatment for patients with kidney failure. The dialysis unit at Dhanmondi General and Kidney Hospital provides hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis services to patients with end-stage renal disease. The unit is equipped with modern dialysis machines and staffed by experienced nephrologists and nurses.

In conclusion, Dhanmondi General and Kidney Hospital is a leading healthcare provider in Dhaka that offers essential critical care services such as ICU, NICU, PICU, and dialysis services. The hospital is committed to providing high-quality care to patients with critical medical conditions and has invested in modern equipment and experienced healthcare professionals to achieve this goal.

Address: City Tower, 44/7 Panthapath Dhaka-1205

[acadishealthcare]

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[peggy-sue-reads-a-book]

Woke up in my own room today and cried for thirty minutes because Ive never been so happy to get to open a window. @lefty-scissors brought me fruit and coffee in my bed so I wouldn’t have to get up.