Yesterday I hit the three week mark. It seems like I've been here longer than that and yet, I can't believe I have been here this long.
The doctors have been running into little snags in setting a delivery date. The operating room was booked on the 11th so they were trying the 12th. But that may not work as well. So we are just hanging on to see when.
Dr Huls came in today (he has been one of my regulars for the most part... I really like him.) he talked to me about my bleeding. He said that they try to bring all women with accreta and sometimes just previa, in by 32 weeks. Those that have had no bleeding problems, typically can make it quite a ways further. They still deliver between 34-36 weeks on those, to avoid emergencies. But when women like me who have had bleeding issues already, those will typically end up with an emergency surgery. Those are more dangerous for me because they can't do the entire routine that they have down. They have to cut corners so to speak, in order to save me and the baby.
Between that and moving the date up, my desire to plan has increased. My own version of nesting I guess. There are so many factors involved that we can't make a serious plan until delivery anyway, but I thought I would share my dilemma and get some feedback. I'm not asking for favors, just feedback from those that may have gone through this type of thing before...
Here is my worry. With the baby only being about 32 weeks for delivery, it's pretty much guaranteed that he will be in here for a few weeks. My recovery should be about 4 days or so. Unless I end up in ICU or something. We live about an hour from the hospital. I won't be able to drive, and I'll need a place to recover with a soft bed/couch. The kids aren't allowed in the NICU ( Neonatal intensive care unit). I will obviously want to be in two places at once, and so will Trever.
Here is my question.... For those of you that have had early deliveries, how did you survive the back and forths? Especially if you had a c-section and needed a longer recovery. They have facilities here for parents. Fold out bed, laundry etc. and the Ronald McDonald house is out, because we have too many people. Hotels are probably out due to lack of funds. I am stuck. Lol. Ready set go....
This is the story of my pregnancy after being diagnosed with placenta accreta and placenta previa.
Jennie I worked at the Infant Special Care Unit and NICU at Primary Childrens' Med Center in SLC for several years before moving to AZ. I also have had 4 c-sections. Not early deliveries so I can't comment on that.
ReplyDeleteAs for the c-section, along with your other prenatal complications it is important for you to rest and recover. Having the c-section makes you more susceptible to infection, and you don't want that. Be reasonable about visiting the baby go visit the baby while she/he is in the NICU, but baby will most likely be spending most of its time sleeping and using up energy growing and getting strong. As you and baby both get stronger then you can make longer visits.
NICU nurses love the babies, that’s why the chose that field, your baby will get the best care by the best nurses.
I know its hard but continue to rely on neighbors, friends and family, to help with the other kids. Continue to allow them to serve. It will be a blessing o all when you and baby are home together.
Hi Jennie! I am 18 weeks pregnant with my 8th. I have complete placenta previa and percreta. My cousin Jilene just told me about your blog and I have enjoyed reading what my near future could be like.
ReplyDeleteHaving had 2 babies in the Nicu, I would say that it depends on your recovery. With a normal csection, I was able to spend the days with my baby and the nights at home. I would ask family members to stay with your older children and you and your husband stay at the Ronaldl McDonald house.
You will want to be with your baby as soon as you are able...
Jennie, I would love to help you out in any way that I can! I can drive you or you can stay here if it's any closer! I am childless every mon, wed and friday mornings. I am open if u need a ride! I would also love to visit you if you ever need a visitor! Call/text or email me when I can come! Monday mornings are usually best! Just let me know when ever u feel like a visitor and I will be there! Let me know if I can help in any way! kami1432@hotmail.com 710-6820
ReplyDeleteHey! As you know Kau'e was born at 32 weeks and 5 days. I didn't have a c-section so my recovery wasn't too bad. But I would say let others help you out with your children at home and bond as much as possible with your new little one. Yes it depends on what your baby's status is like but you will want to do as much as possible if possible. But I would say if possible stay at the hospital since they offer a place for you. I was blessed to have lived 10 minutes from the hospital that my little guy was at so I spent all day there and went home at nights and slept. I just remember the NICU nurses saying how important Skin to Skin was for the baby and to hold them while they feed thru the tubes (if you aren't able to nurse). Remember babies use a lot of energy when they feed either through bottle or nursing so just remember that its important that they eat no matter how they eat. You will have a lot of experiences to bring to the table for your baby while he's in the NICU that I didn't have as a 1st time mommy with a little one in the NICU. You are a seasoned mommy. yes it will be different but you will know quickly what he needs before others do...you are his mommy! As they told us 32 week babies can act either older or younger as far as development wise so be patient. There will be days they will be right on track and others they will be slower. Hang in there and just pray to know what you need to do. It will be a daily process but one that will make you and your family stronger! Love you!
ReplyDeletei have no experience in your situation - but just wanted to let you know if you ever needed a closer "resting" spot - you are welcome to stay with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much everyone for your comments and advice! Thanks Kalli! That is so sweet of you. We may take you up on that :) it would be so fun to see you all!
ReplyDeleteWhat hospital are you at? You've had a c-section before, right?
ReplyDeleteMy friend just had her baby via c-section at 32 weeks. She only came home to shower and did all her resting at the hospital. I think her baby ended up in the hospital for just under 2 weeks. She had 3 kiddos at home and she said her recovery was going okay in the hospital while she hung out in the NICU. She says she was more tired from all the pumping and checks the nurses did on the baby ever 2 hours. But she said she didn't want to be anywhere else, so she stayed as much as possible.
If you want a hotel-ish stay...depending on where you are at, there are the Marriot Suite's (I think that is what they are called...they have a mini kitchen/bed/shower). They charge by the week and are much more affordable (as far as hotels go). I remember my friend's family stayed there while their house was being finished for around $125 a week.
Thanks Michelle! That's some great info. Ill check into it. Yeah I am on my 4 th c section. I'm usually on my way home from the hospital after 48 hours. I'm hoping for a quick recovery this time, but I hear that this one is much harder to recover from. They aren't doing the regular "bikini cut" this time. It's a vertical one and bigger than the usual section cut.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm not sure what to expect this time. I have a feeling it's going to be much tougher for some reason. I am comforted to hear the baby was only here 2 weeks! The more I learn about others situations, the more discouraged I feel that he may be in here for at least a month, possibly 2.
DeleteOh ps. I'm at Good Sam.
DeleteI've actually heard that sometimes accreta is an easier recovery than a normal c-section because you don't have the afterbirth contracting of the uterus. (good to hear some positives now and then). And, you probably know this, but my dr explained that just the outer layer is an up and down cut. They don't actually cut through the muscles vertIcally, they try to um, do something else. Ha! Not sure exactly how, but when he explained it to me it seemed a bit better than a tic tax toe belly.
ReplyDeleteAnd, yay for 30 weeks!! I bet your little guy will surprise you and do so good. My SIL had a 32week baby and he came home after 2 weeks.
I know-- hope for the best, plan for the worst.
Good luck! I'm praying for you both from Oregon!
Thanks so much Jenifer. Yeah, I am so excited about ditching the after birth cramps! I think the incision depends on where the placenta is. They told me mine would be vertical all the way down. Except for the muscle area i think. from what i understand, is they can just separate them cause they arent attached all the way across? something like that.
DeleteSo with yours, do they know how far the per create has gone? Has it gotten to your bladder yet? How about bleeding? Any of that? You are the only one I know of that has it! I'm so curious how it has been going for you.
I am so glad to hear their baby got to come home after 2 weeks!! I have read tons of stories from other women's experiences and I ended up feeling more and more defeated. I must have found the page with the worst case scenarios! It's so good to hear that it's at least possible for him to come home that soon. Thanks so much!
Ps. I'm praying for you too! Good luck in the upcoming months!!
DeleteI also have a blog-- I write way too much about my condition, but you might like to read it. www.todnjenifermoss.blogspot.com. I really hope to make it as far as you have. Even though your condition is tough. Right now, I think you have a lot of chance to have a really great delivery and recovery. Maybe that is just because doctors keep telling me the VERY bleak odds of Percreta. Yes, my placenta is into my bladder. Sigh. I used to pray that my placenta would just stay inside my Uterus. During the sacrament two weeks ago, I had a strong feeling that what I really wanted to pray for was the health of my baby, even if the placenta did not stay in my uterus. I kind of feel like I was being prepared for the worst. Yeah. This is hard-- but, we can do hard things!! We both have five girls already, so this will be fine!!
ReplyDelete