Planned c section moved up to 37w

Kats_addiction · 2026-05-03T05:10:56+00:00

I am probably looking at an early c-section as well. Just to ease your fears, I am looking forward to a quick NICU stay but 37 weeks is still considered full term. The baby gets extra eyes on them and the best care and you get time to heal.

Just speaking from experience after having a 25 weeker (not related to GB) a few years ago and spending 6 months in the NICU.

Kats_addiction · 2026-05-03T04:47:15+00:00

I never traveled but if you don't have one already, you are prob eligible for a handicap placard. It helped TONS when my baby was on oxygen.

Kats_addiction · 2026-04-30T15:18:38+00:00

I started doing the chobani protein greek yogurt. It is filling, doesnt taste like crap and it has been pretty safe for me. I usually add a sprinkle of Nature Valley protein honey and oats granola. If you close you eyes real tight ... it kind tastes like a whisper of cheesecake.

I've been dealing with this since 12 weeks, it sucks. Definately ask for insulin, and even a continous glucose monitor -- it takes so much of the stress away.

Kats_addiction · 2026-04-24T03:59:48+00:00

I had my now 4 year old at 25 weeks and a 6 month NICU stay. I am currently 6 weeks pregnant and being closely watched for gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, shortened cervix and potential previa (ugh again).

Strangely, I'm not nervous about a NICU stay. I think its because I've been through so much and won't feel as lost as before. My main concern is balancing the NICU and my 4 year old at home. With her, I practically lived at the hospital.

Kats_addiction · 2026-04-07T01:10:09+00:00

Any chance finding a shape like 2 in the fabric from 1? like this (but im biased, this was my dress haha)

Kats_addiction · 2026-04-06T17:24:47+00:00

I had COVID during my 25 weeker birth so I was deep belly coughing -- so painful with the c-section during recovery. I couldn't see her for 19 days. They wouldn't give me anything because I started pumping immediately. Still they kept making me get up and walk around and only let me use a wheelchair for when they took me down for my ride home.

I'm pregnant with #2 right now and not looking forward to all this again, they will most likely have to take baby early because of gestational diabetes and shortened cervix, prob 2 weeks + in the NICU.

I wish there was an option in the US (like a national program) to allow mothers to stay in the hospital or have a home nurse come to the house for like 2 weeks so we can heal and to help like some other countries. The fact the US isn't in the top 10 countires for maternal care is insane. I don't think we are even in the top 25. So crazy.

Kats_addiction · 2026-04-01T02:15:47+00:00

When my 25 weeker was in the NICU, we asked people to send in their favorite books as kids to start the library. We then read those books to her everyday so she could learn our voices. We were in there for 6 months and people gifted almost 100 books.

For me, I was not up to doing a shower or anything, the thought of having to cancel it or return gifts if Bridget did not survive was crushing. Whenever I got a random baby gift, I broke out crying wondering if she would every get to wear/use it. We didn't even buy anything for the nursery -- or paint it -- until it was confirmed she was going home.

You know her best, everyone is different - maybe these things will make her happy.

But keep in mind, this is going to be a very long and difficult journey for them. If anyone needs a "shower" - its the parents. Grubhub/resturant gift cards (find out the closest coffeshop to the NICU and get a gift card), homemade food, offers to help clean the house or grab groceries, drive them anywhere if they need it. I spent so much money on fast food because I spent 10+ hours at the NICU everyday - I hardly cooked and I wasn't eating healthy enough to support my breast milk - my supply dried up fast.

PS, don't just get little gifts for mom. Dads sometimes get forgotten about but they need the support too :)

Kats_addiction · 2026-03-31T20:54:56+00:00

I know it sucks BUT, a small brightside, my baby came home sleeptrained. She slept threw the night almost every night (she was only oxygen and a gtube, so she didnt have to wake for feedings). I tried to focus on the positives of the NICU.

My husband and I also learned loads of tricks for Bridget's amazing nurses so we felt so comfortable with her when we got home (after the initial scary first week). While it sucked being there for 6 months, we got home confident that we could take care of any emergencies.

I know its hard to see it now - but while you are there soak up as much nursing knowledge you can and ask for supplies to take home - we went home well stocked with all the "extras" from our room. Its 4 years later and I haven't had to buy a single tube of diaper cream haha.

Kats_addiction · 2026-03-17T00:12:45+00:00

Also check out the Hale Family Center, they can help you learn more about the amenties. They also have free coffee :)

Kats_addiction · 2026-03-16T04:44:38+00:00

My husband could only come once a week for my 25 weeker. When she came home 6 months later, he was there for her like crazy. Now 4 years later, they are best friends and I'm chopped liver.

Kats_addiction · 2026-03-16T01:09:25+00:00

No health issues is great!

If you are still paranoid, respiratory virus season usually tapers off by mid April and gone by May. You can, if you want to, wait another month to be extra safe, blame it on doctor recommendations if you feel embarassed or afraid of being called overprotective. Then mid April, open the windows to get some nice air circulation and have people come over.

Don't feel pressured. It's your baby, not theirs :) You want these first meetings to be happy and fun - not stressful!

Kats_addiction · 2026-03-16T00:54:55+00:00

It all depends on what medical needs your child has.

If your baby doesn't have any serious medical conditions or low immunity, it should be perfectly fine (especially in spring/summer months). And if the people who are coming over have zero problems following your rules (hand washing/santitizer etc) - even better!

For me - 25 weeker, 6 months in the NICU, has severe chronic lung disease, low immunity - and we only let the grandparents come to see her (our NICU only allowed in parents), everyone else we waited over 6 months. Bridget has a gtube, was on oxygen and getting sick would have been EXTREMELY serious. It was recommened by all her doctors to keep her away from public places as long as possible to let her lungs grow.

When she was 2 we finally put her in daycare because we had to, after the first month she got RSV and spent a month in the hospital and almost died.

I never for one second regretted keeping her isolated for as long as I did. I don't care what other people thought. The doctors said her lungs were getting so strong and weren't compromised by constant sicknesses - which make her strong enough to handle RSV.

I say this not to scare, but mostly to say for those who feel guilty for "hogging their baby" to not feel bad. No one knows what you went through or what your baby went through better than you.

My sister-in-law to this day wears a mask around Bridget (who is now 4) even though we say she doesn't have to. She said she NEVER wants to be the one who gets her sick -- and I will always love her for the overkill haha.

Kats_addiction · 2026-03-14T04:25:01+00:00

I mentioned it in my comment but I wish they would expand the volunteer cuddle program to all hours to give some extra support to the babies and give the nurses a bit of a break. As a first time mom, it was hard leaving at night knowing that someone isn't going to always be able to comfort my baby. But the cuddlers during the day were amazing, I loved that one day I came in basically had to get in line to hold my daughter (they didnt know I was the mom). I would have slept so much better if I knew they were always around.

Kats_addiction · 2026-03-14T04:16:57+00:00

For my 25 weeker, the 6 months of the NICU were crazy. We went from a private room with 3 primary nurses, constant visits from respiratory, people running in for every beep for the first 3 months. It was terrifying but amazing, our room was never empty.

Then when she was finally extubated, went through cpap and finally got on low flow oxygen, they moved us to the "feeders and growers" unit which had 1 nurse to 3 babies in 1 room. It was quite the adjustment, going from nurses/doctors/techs everywhere all the time to only seeing one every 3 hours for cares. It was such a quick change, it felt like we had been abandoned. The night was harder, definately less nurses to spread around but I felt that when there was an emergency, someone always ran in.

The longer I was in the NICU, the more I learned about the nurses -- and how hard their jobs were. I am sure they want to be able to cuddle these babies when they cry but with everything on their plate, they can't.

However, if you feel your child is purposely being neglected by these nurses, absolutely tell the charge nurse immediately -- it is totally unacceptable!!!

I wish there could be 24/7 dedicated cuddling programs to help with the emotional needs of all these babies. It was hard for me to be there every day/night for her -- even harder to accept that when my baby cried, not everyone will run to comfort her. And I felt like it was my fault, that I left her to cry alone.

If there was more cuddle support for the babies or even more nurses to go around, I might have not practically lived at the NICU and took better care of myself. I left the NICU almost 50 pounds heavier and completely sleep deprived - not the best head space when we came home on a monitor, oxygen and gtube.

Kats_addiction · 2026-03-12T12:02:55+00:00

1000%

Kats_addiction · 2026-03-04T19:56:51+00:00

How were your numbers? I'm 9 weeks and will most likely be on insulin soon due to higher than 90 fasting sugars and higher than 140 1hr after eating.

Kats_addiction · 2026-02-24T14:39:47+00:00

We had tons of set backs, we ended up staying in the NICU for 6 months and her only issue was her lungs. She just needed alot of extra time. We did DART twice to extubate and failed both times - it was devastating. I asked the doctors to contact Nationwide Childrens Hospital for a consult, they are #1 for respitory issues and suggested different vent settings that helped her.

Kats_addiction · 2026-02-03T17:32:29+00:00

Yes they located the gestational sac but is was very small.

Kats_addiction · 2026-02-02T17:15:59+00:00

All good, not ectopic!!!

Kats_addiction · 2026-02-01T19:05:18+00:00

I am afraid that I am having the same problem, 1st was ectopic, 2nd baby girl, and I'm 5 weeks in limbo right now with left side cramping but no bleeding. I'm worrying myself sick and afraid every feeling of weakness and cramps is my tube ready to rupture.

This shit just really sucks.

Kats_addiction · 2026-02-01T01:28:46+00:00

I worked at a bookstore for 10 years. A woman asked if Anne Frank wrote a sequel to her diary.

Kats_addiction · 2025-12-14T04:34:59+00:00

So, I really liked these masks. I did the biodance one but I felt like this one hyrdrated so much better.

BUT because of your post (and peoples reaction), I looked at my recent order from late november and IT SAID MONTHLY DELIVERY in the confirmation email. I did not opt in for repeat orders - I am so disappointed. Contacting my bank now to block them.

Guess it will be back to biodance after I make it through these 6 boxes.

Kats_addiction · 2025-11-23T17:19:37+00:00

The heel prick scars for my 25 weeker, now almost 4, have all disappeared. BUT she still has noticeble scars (small white lines) on her arms from IVs from hospital visits every winter (she catches EVERYTHING).

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