BTDT Preemie Moms

Next month I am delivering via c-section at 35w due to a previous uterine rupture. The doctors (my OB, high risk dr, and ped) have explained to me that at the lungs should be mature by 34w, but the baby may end up in the NICU bc it will be preterm. I guess 35w is the cutoff where it may be okay, it may not.

I didn't have a c with my daughter, so I am not sure what the procedure is. If you delivered a preemie via c, when did you see the baby? Did they take it away immediately and then you joined it as soon as you were out of recovery? Will my DD be able to see it through a window? I am sure she won't be able to hold it, right?

I am delivering at Southside.
TIA

BTDT Preemie Moms

I delivered via C at 37 weeks so he wasn't considered a preemie and didn't have to go the NICU but they took ds right away and I only got to see him for a minute if that. I know the NICU at Good Sam had the windows covered when ever I walked by. I think for privacy since many families have a very long road in the NICU.

I was able to see my DS once I was out of recovery and settled in my room.

Re: BTDT Preemie Moms

I didnt realize you were pregnant again! I have followed your story and am very happy for you

Re: BTDT Preemie Moms

I have 2 34 weekers, both c-sections. With DS1, they wheeled me into the NICU, while still on a gurney, on my way from recovery to my room. With DS2, I didn't get to see him until the morning (had him at 11:45pm). I was at Stony Brook. There isn't a window for siblings to see the baby, and they weren't allowed to visit unless over 13 years old. DS2 (for issues other than just being a 34 weeker) was in the NICU for 3 months, so DS1 didn't get to meet him until he came home.

Message edited 3/24/2014 6:11:55 PM.

Re: BTDT Preemie Moms

I delivered my twins via c-section at 32 weeks. My DD i was able to see her for a few minutes while they were taking DS out and then they took her to the NICU. DS I did not even get to see they rushed him into the NICU. I went to recovery and after 6 hours as they were wheeling me to my room we stopped in the NICU and i was able to see and hold DD for a few minutes. DS I was not able to see o until the next day and could not hold him for about a week i think. Every hospital is different so i am not sure what south sides sibling policy is. I delivered in Winthrop and we did not have any other kids yet but i know siblings were not allowed to visit until the babies were stable enough to go into a family room.

Re: BTDT Preemie Moms

Posted by secretlyTTCagain

I didnt realize you were pregnant again! I have followed your story and am very happy for you

Re: BTDT Preemie Moms

I didn't have a c, but I went into preterm labor at 35 weeks and 5 days. They had the nicu team there just incase, but dd was fine and went to the regular nursery. 35 weeks is so close to full term (36 weeks).
Good luck!

Re: BTDT Preemie Moms

all 3 of mine were in the NICU, my first was delivered naturally just over 35w. he has some breathing issues because of medication I was on, I was able to hold him for a minute after he was stabilized then they took him away and DH was able to go soon after. I was wheeled down in a wheelchair on my way to my room that night. the next morning I was able to hold him.

my twins were a c/s just shy of 35w, so I knew they were going to the NICU. they were both having a little more trouble breathing. DH was able to go by them and they brought them both to me to kiss before they took them to the NICU. while I was in recovery my nurse was awesome and called the NICU a lot to check on them and I sent DH to check on them. They wheeled me in to see them in a stretcher before I went to my room (they were born at 8:49 and 8:50).
the next morning as soon as my catheter was out the aide wheeled me down in a wheelchair and I was able to see them, they couldn't be held yet. I was up walking by the next night b/c I wanted to see them and was impatient waiting for my DH or the aide. (it helped my recovery, lol)

Re: BTDT Preemie Moms

Every situation is really unique so when you may or may not be able to hold the baby will depend on a lot of factors. Some babies born at 35 weeks could be totally fine and not be in the NICU yet a 37 weeker might not be. Good luck with everything and be sure to ask your doctor about steroid shots for the lungs.

Re: BTDT Preemie Moms

When I delivered my youngest at 32w5d via section, I was wheeled into the NICU while on the gurney going to my room just so I could see him bc I didn't get to see at birth. Then I was wheeled down in a wheel chair 12 hrs after delivery

Re: BTDT Preemie Moms

I delivered twins vagionally at 30w and saw them a few hours later. I was not able to hold one of them for a few days. The other I was only able to hold because they were bringing her to another hospital for surgery. So they let me hold her before the ambulance took her.

Re: BTDT Preemie Moms

i just delivered my 2nd preemie (34w) 3 weeks ago. every situation really is different. with my first son they took him away right away bc he needed oxygen. my 2nd baby did not need oxygen at birth so i got to watch them clean him & they had him wrapped up next to me so i could give him kisses. both csections

i delivered at good sam, but they let you see the baby whenever you are up for it. my oldest son was only able to see my 2nd through the window a couple of times

my first was in the nicu for 8 days and my 2nd for 12 days

Re: BTDT Preemie Moms

I delivered DD at 34w2d via emergency c-section at Winthrop. They showed her to me quickly as they were taking her out of the operating room into the NICU and then later that night they rolled me into the NICU to see her and put her on my chest for skin to skin. I was also being pumped with magnesium for two days, so I was in no condition to be walking or even get out of bed, or breastfeeding. For the week I was in the hospital, DH or the nurses would wheel me down to the NICU to see her whenever I wanted. She was in the hospital for 39 days total before we got to take her home and we spent every single day in there with her. We don't have any other children but only parents (DH and I) and grandparents were allowed in the NICU. Everyone else had to look through the window. Other women who had older DC's had to have their children look through the window.

BTDT Preemie Moms

My son was a 30 weeker, which is a huge difference from 35 weeks.

That being said, I had DS via c-section and he needed breathing support immediately. I saw him for about 3 seconds (literally) and he was whisked off to NICU. He was born at 8:22 and I was allowed to see him at about 1am. I was only allowed to stay at that point for about 5 minutes.

The next day, I was allowed to go visit him as often as I'd like. At South Nassau, there was a small viewing area where siblings could come see the babies once they were in open cribs that could be wheeled over. When DS was still in the incubator, they would not wheel him over.

Good luck!!!! 35 weeks will very likely be a different experience than mine

BTDT Preemie Moms

Thanks for all the responses!!