Bringing Your Premature Baby Home
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| M and R on the day we brought them home |
Our twin girls were born 6 weeks early because twin two, M, stopped growing due to Intra-Uterine Growth Restriction (IUGR). R was born first weighing 4lb3 and M arrived two minutes later weighing 2lb11. Surprisingly M was absolutely fine. It was R that required ventilation as well as CPAP and she also had jaundice which required light therapy.
After 27 days in intensive and special care we were finally allowed to bring our girls home. It was overwhelming to say the least. According to a survey by Wriggly Rascals 38% of babies arrived at less than 30 weeks gestation. 12% arrived at 30-31 weeks and a further 15% at 30-33 weeks. The remaining were born at 34-35 weeks. For 61% of those surveyed, having their baby prematurely was a surprise and 21% were considered high risk and had a good idea that they would be having a premature baby.
Twin Daddy and I are part of that 21% as we knew we would be having our twins early. Even though we knew, it still didn’t prepare us. I don’t think anything can ever prepare you for having your baby early. You go through so many emotions, ups and downs and it’s such a worrying time. No-one can ever understand what it’s like to have a baby in special care unless you have been there and experienced it for yourself. It was one of the toughest times of our lives.
Everyone who was surveyed mentioned feeling scared and worried about delivering their baby early and a large portion also felt guilty about having a premature baby. As well as being scared and feeling guilty, 25% felt relieved and a massive 75% felt depressed. 64% felt terrified.
Personally, I didn’t feel guilty because I know that nothing I did or could have done would have changed the outcome, but I did feel very emotional. After the birth I cried daily and not just once a day, I would cry many, many times a day. I know a part of it was the hormones, but genuinly for the most part it was because of the unknown. Not knowing what the outcome of this would be. Not knowing when we would be able to bring our girls home. So many unknowns, but all I can say is that you will get through this. Although you might not think it at the time, you will.
The majority of babies had a long hospital stay, with 37% staying for longer than two months and 33% stayed for 2-4 weeks. 19% stayed for one to two months. In terms of the emotional side of having a premature baby, the majority of those surveyed didn’t feel counselling was necessary or they weren’t ready. Only 31% had counselling and said that it was helpful in their situation. 21% of mums joined support groups for parents of premature babies with another 14% planning to in the near future. 4% didn’t want to join a support group and 61% didn’t feel it necessary.
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How long did your premature baby stay in hospital before you brought them home?
