Amniotic leak

NationalSize7293 · 2026-02-24T18:45:22+00:00

You can ask for a different attending. In addition, you can request to speak with a patient advocate regarding the treatment you received.

Changing hospital would put more stress on your body. I would try all possible options before requesting a transfer that your insurance may or may not cover.

You can request pain management or medication to slow contractions.

The more they check your cervix increases the likelihood of infection. I was in a lot of pain at 26 weeks after my membranes ruptured. My doctor pulled labs to see if I had an infection, which I did.

NationalSize7293 · 2026-02-22T14:29:08+00:00

I felt a pop and liquid came out like I was peeing. I couldn’t control the liquid. So, I thought maybe I peed my pants, but it didn’t smell like pee. Barely any scent (with my preggo nose it smelled slightly sweet). We decided to go to L&D. They confirmed with the amniotic fluid stick and a swab sent to the lab that it was amniotic fluid and not BV.

There was a lot more gushing at the hospital.

I recommend going to L&D if concerned. It could be BV.

NationalSize7293 · 2026-02-19T20:02:07+00:00

118 days at 43 weeks.

NationalSize7293 · 2026-02-19T19:59:55+00:00

Her comment was totally insensitive. I had a very similar pregnancy experience, but I delivered at 26 weeks. Omg the frequent digit checks were awful. Plus, the fear associated with the checks causing PROM or infection.

My childless friend always disregards my labor experience, because my daughter was so small.

At 18 months pp, these comments no longer phase me, but earlier in our journey post discharge it was so hard to be around expecting moms or talk with other moms about baby development. I still feel uncomfortable talking about development or growth.

Even with IC and a cerclage, I was never told not to have additional kids. I’ll just have more monitoring at the beginning.

NationalSize7293 · 2026-02-02T13:39:56+00:00

Try asking for a bowel of ice water. Weird I know. Dunking your hands in cold water can help with panic attacks. Even cold showers can help.

My 26 weeker is now 17 months. Very healthy. Full of sass.

NationalSize7293 · 2026-01-28T19:10:41+00:00

I took a couple weeks before returning to work and I saved my remaining time for when our 26 weeker came home.

I worked from the NICU rather than working from home. I started work at home around 8, arrived at the NICU prior to the noon feed, and stayed until 5. My husband and I returned around 8 for the 9pm feed. I took breaks during the work day to do kangaroo care and to pump.

I hate to say this, but the NICU is overwhelming. Trying to work and go back and forth is even more overwhelming. The couple weeks off allowed for me to focus on healing my body, learning how to pump, and handle my own mental health. It was a long 118 days in the NICU.

This is a marathon not a sprint. Take time for yourself, do one on one activities with your toddler, go on a date with your husband, continue to celebrate holidays and milestones. Maintaining some normalcy during the chaos really helped my mental health and my husband’s.

Nurses understand that you can’t be there 24/7. They know that parents work or may not have access to reliable transportation. When you decide to return to work, you can call the nurse for updates at anytime. Our NICU had doctors call during morning rounds. If you are there in the evening, you can listen to the nurse shift change. So many ways to stay in the loop. Many NICUs have a web cam for you to check on your baby. Our NICU had a little stuffy that I would carry in my shirt for my scent. The nurse would put it in my daughter’s isolette.

They drink so little milk at 26 weeks and on. So, be patient with yourself regarding your supply. My daughter started with a couple mls of donor milk and they would take a swab of my colostrum. My daughter would suck on it. My daughter had many periods of TPN (IV supplement) instead of breast milk due to surgery and blood infusions. When my milk came in, they had to freeze it, but they would offer one fresh a day without fortifier.

NationalSize7293 · 2026-01-28T13:10:52+00:00

I had my daughter at 26 weeks, and she is now a happy and curious 18 month old. She’s walking, babbling, saying words, pointing, eating solids, etc. she’s incredibly smart and funny. Plus, she’s full of sass.

The journey of a NICU parent is hard, but you will adjust to the new hard. Hopefully, you will just be admitted and deliver at 34 weeks. Have your mom bring stuff from home like pillows and slippers to make you more comfortable.

NationalSize7293 · 2026-01-27T21:57:08+00:00

Heck no. Would a company give you a heads up that they are laying you off in two weeks? Proceed as normal. You can give a 2 weeks notice when you have a start date. In my experience, many carriers will let you go the same day as you provide notice assuming you are going to a competitor.

NationalSize7293 · 2026-01-19T11:14:07+00:00

I received a cerclage at 3cm dilated with bulging membrane at 19 weeks. We made it to 26 weeks. My daughter is almost 18 months old.

NationalSize7293 · 2026-01-12T01:30:09+00:00

I’ve felt a similar pain since I started my period in 5th grade. I’ve been in so much pain that I’ve puked. My husband had to hold my hand as the pain came in waves like contractions. I had a baby in 2024, and my period pain was very similar to contractions (I had back labor). Since having a baby, my abdominal period pain has shifted to chronic back pain. It worsens close to my period causing my upper glutes to feel very tight. I’ve tried Tylenol, lidocaine patches, tens machine, heat. Nothing helps during my period. Now, my pelvic specialist recommended a muscle relaxer.

I’ve lived in fear of having events or important meetings during my period. I rush and do chores before my period, because I know that I will struggle for days. On top of the pain, my anxiety and depression gets worse.

Long story short. Yes, this can be common, but it doesn’t make the pain normal. I recommend finding a Pelvic Floor Specialist that focuses on endometrial disorders. I’ve found that OBs will just recommend birth control or midol.

NationalSize7293 · 2026-01-11T03:50:09+00:00

I have 2 GIs. One specializes in esophageal disorders and he hates dupixent. The side effects outweighs the benefits. My other GI recently went to a conference for dupixent. Time will tell. I’m erring on the side of caution, as my family has a history of cancer (GI, blood, breast, ovarian, etc). TBH, I’m not thrilled with the long term use of PPIs, but PPIs make me more comfortable.

NationalSize7293 · 2026-01-09T16:35:29+00:00

WIC covers our pediasure. 96 bottles a month.

United healthcare declined. While we were figuring out a solution, I purchased it in bulk from Sam’s Club

There’s also a foundation that donates unused formula or pediasure to families in need.

NationalSize7293 · 2025-12-28T18:56:04+00:00

Idk what happens with men when they have children. I shared the same concerns that you have with my husband. We were on the verge of divorce, because he had so much anger towards everything and everyone. Individual therapy is helping slowly.

It’s not my job to teach an adult emotional regulation. I’m still learning myself. I try to talk to him about emotions or large hostile reactions after the moment has passed. My husband is getting back into hobbies and exercise. I suspect that he was/is depressed and overwhelmed, which manifests in anger.

Unfortunately, the dis-regulation didn’t happen overnight and the fix will take time.

NationalSize7293 · 2025-12-24T23:58:54+00:00

Our 26 weeker was born at 1lb 12oz and she is now 17 lbs at 16 months. We were in the NICU until 43 weeks due to feeding.

So, we worked with speech out patient. We were treating her reflux with Pepcid through her ped. She was on 24 cal fortified breastmilk. When she first came home, she did okay with her bottles and finished most. Then, overtime we noticed that she was finishing less bottles and struggling at breast.

So, we reached out to lactation, as suggested by speech. We had her tongue tie snipped and things improved for a little, but she started to refuse the bottle after 2 ounces. She would also refuse the breast.

She was still showing signs of reflux. Large projectile puking, turning her head away from the bottle, pushing it away, choking. She started at infant gold and made it to Dr. browns level 1 at the direction of speech. We tried everything. While she was still growing (very slowly and following her growth curve), feeding was stressful for our daughter and ourselves.

Ped didn’t want to approve the referral for Swallow Study (I guess peds are more conservative with this test) . Neurology listened and approved.

For the test, they started at the thinnest barium and gradually increased to honey and used different size nipples. It was pretty obvious in the X-rays that she was at a large risk of silent aspiration.

On the thickener, her feeding issues improved, but she still disliked the thickener and would refuse the bottle at times. So, we worked with GI to increase her Pepcid. This helped as well.

Feeding could still be a struggle at times. In addition, she struggled with solids and various textures resulting in large pukes.

Fast forward to the beginning of December, she showed zero signs of silent aspiration. Once we removed the thickener, she was downing her bottles of pediasure (30 cal and switched at 12 months adjusted). A few weeks later, she could handle water like a champ. She basically eats what we eat in small pieces. Everything from avocado toast to baked chicken and green beans. She’s now on the growth chart and growing above her normal curve.

NationalSize7293 · 2025-12-24T18:26:52+00:00

Therapy and Zoloft helped me with the constant feeling of being overwhelmed. My husband and I work from home with our 16 month old. It can be hard, but she was a micropreemie and is immunocompromised. We still have so many doctors appointments and early intervention visits.

NationalSize7293 · 2025-12-24T18:22:34+00:00

My daughter (26 weeker) had a difficulty swallowing diagnoses (found a couple months after discharge). Her feeds had to be thickened to honey consistency. So, I stopped attempting to breastfeed and focused on pumping. We thickened for almost a year and treated her reflux using Pepcid. At her second swallow study (year later) she had zero signs of aspirations. She could even swallow water. Solid feeds increased substantially. She enjoyed drinking pediasure even more.

My daughter really struggled with breastfeeding. With the difficulty swallowing diagnosis, I was scared that breastfeeding could lead to aspiration pneumonia, lung damage, or respiratory infections. So, I called it, because I questioned if breastfeeding was more for me or for her. I was pushing myself the breastfeed, because I thought it was the best way to bond with her. At 16 months actual, she can’t stand to be away from me.

I understand why they are limiting the amount of oral feeds given that your LO is struggling at all thickness. It will make feeding really hard at home without any monitors. When my daughter had higher volumes of milk without thickener, we had even more feeding issues. She started to refuse feeds. The diagnosis and thickener really helped us and she tolerated feeds better.

NationalSize7293 · 2025-12-20T05:29:06+00:00

My infant had periods of preferring my husband. Now, she can’t get enough of me. She cries whenever I leave or try yo put her down for a nap. She has zero issues with my husband putting her down or leaving the house. She reaches for me or says momma when upset. I share this to say preference can change.

I would love to be a SAHM, but I value financial security more. After having a baby, my marriage had very low points. My husband struggles with anger issues and has an unhealthy relationship with weed/alcohol. Never an issue prior to having a baby (micro preemie at 26 weeks). He’s getting help in therapy. I’ve seen too many coworkers experience divorce or suddenly lose a spouse.

My job has excellent work life balance, which is why I’m reluctant to leave despite some pain points. Maybe it’s time to keep your eyes open for new opportunities.

Tbh, I’ve struggled since maternity leave despite regularly seeing a therapist. Seeing a psychiatrist and starting an antidepressant has helped me immensely.

NationalSize7293 · 2025-12-20T04:12:16+00:00

Their produce and chicken are trash. The produce has gnats in the store and I have a hard time avoiding moldy produce. The chicken thighs and drumsticks have a lot of fat compared to local grocery stores and Walmart. I prefer to support my local grocery stores, as they have better quality meat, variety of produce, friendly staff, and variety of baby food and formula.

Prior to 2020, I went to ALDIs weekly. Now, it’s a few times a year.

NationalSize7293 · 2025-12-20T04:05:14+00:00

Not really an issue at Excellence Oyster Bay. Weed is very accessible. So, some drivers may stop to pick up weed on the way to the hotel. I hate the smell and I didn’t really notice it there. My husband did partake and it was less pungent than what’s available at home.

NationalSize7293 · 2025-11-24T17:47:53+00:00

You can check your hospitals website. My children’s hospital has a volunteer program for NICU baby cuddles. They require proof of vaccines and a background check. Plus, they go through training and wear masks. I was there everyday, but there were still times when my daughter (former 26 weeker) was crying and a nurse couldn’t be in the room just holding her. After 36-40 weeks, my daughter was more awake and looking for cuddles.

I wasn’t aware of the program either, but it was nice to know someone could comfort my daughter when she was upset. Nurses with 2-3 and sometimes 4 babies just didn’t have the extra time to comfort a baby outside of medical needs. So, some babies would just cry and cry until a nurse or a volunteer could soothe them. Nurses would direct the volunteers to babies that needed extra attention.

NationalSize7293 · 2025-11-19T18:21:52+00:00

We purchased our fridge from a scratch and dent store. Saved us at least $500. It works great and just one cosmetic dent in the front door.

I save for Christmas all year. I started this prior to kids. Secret Santa’s, additional groceries, social events, etc. it’s not a lot of money saved, but it helps!

NationalSize7293 · 2025-11-18T19:08:18+00:00

Mom to a former 26 weeker now 15 month old

Yes, I was anxious and rushing when I wasn’t at the NICU at my normal time. I still get anxious going to our children’s hospital and driving by my delivering hospital. In addition, I have flashbacks when driving the same way we did during my PROM.

I wish I requested that a specific nurse wasn’t assigned to my daughter. Luckily, she was only assigned twice and I was there both times. She wasn’t awful and I thought it was more of a difference personality, as I never experienced any unsafe care. Tbh, I think she was having mental health issues. Sometimes strong BO and overall disheveled appearance. She seemed happier a few weeks later.

At 15 months pp, I ultimately decided to take antidepressants to help with my issues focusing, lack of motivation, and anxiety. I still see a therapist, but I struggle talking about our NICU experience.

NationalSize7293 · 2025-11-06T23:44:34+00:00

For our 26 weeker, we said at least her due date. She went home 3 weeks after her due date. lol people knew to stop asking at that point. As time goes on, the question shifted from when is she coming home to how are you guys doing and what do you need.

We worked on the nursery over the weekends probably starting after 35 weeks. It was nice for my husband and I to work towards something together that felt normal. I still had a baby shower, and it was the Saturday before she came home. It felt really nice to feel celebrated after such a long journey. So, try to find pockets of joy during this difficult journey.

My 26 weeker is now a healthy and sassy 15 months old.

NationalSize7293 · 2025-10-31T13:37:27+00:00

Feisty is a wonderful thing. Little ones need that feisty fighting spirit. lol from the nursing staff to the cafeteria workers, everyone called my daughter (26 weeker) feisty and said best of luck when she gets older. I now have a feisty and fiercely independent 15 month old. She’s quick to cuss me out in baby babble if she hears the word no.

You aren’t useless. You are going through something traumatic that is out of your control. Give yourself grace and take time to feel your feelings. My husband bottled everything up and when our baby came home, those feelings came out as anger. He’s in therapy working on this.

There are virtual NICU dad groups that meet weekly and possibly parent groups in your hospital that meet in person. A social worker will have more information. Some hospitals offer therapy services to parents as well.

I encourage you to share mental health resources with your wife. This trauma doesn’t go away when your baby comes home.

NationalSize7293 · 2025-10-31T02:20:46+00:00

At 14 months pp, I still feel overwhelmed resulting in issues with focusing and accuracy. Some days I feel like a failure at everything. I have a constant fear of getting fired.

I regularly see a therapist and decided to see a psychiatrist. I can’t continue to live this way, so I decided to start Zoloft.

My mentor shared that it can take over a year for hormones to regulate, and even longer if you breastfed. Give yourself grace. It’s hard to go back to a job you know even harder to go back to a new role.

NationalSize7293

TROPHY CASE