Re: Preemie Advice and Info About Birth Asphyxia?
- From: "Akuvikate" <ktelliott@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 29 Apr 2006 21:25:33 -0700
amy wrote:
We are most concerned about the lack of oxygen and what that might
mean. I'm just so curious to know if a fetus can stop moving for days
and have had a nonreactive heartbeat, yet still be getting enough
oxygen to the brain and organs. If anyone out there knows the
answer--do tell!
Wow -- congratulations, and best of luck with the NICU stay and life
beyond. That's fantastic that with the numbers you're giving the
neurologist says he has an 80% chance of full recovery. The short
answer to your question about oxygen is "No, but..." The reason he
stopped moving and had all the subsequent problems was either that he
wasn't getting enough oxygen or had some other major physiological
stress that was making him shut down. That said, babies are built to
withstand stresses that would kill us big people. They often do
experience oxygen deprivation that would literally kill you or me and
bounce back amazingly fast -- so it's hard to know which babies will
have lasting effects and which won't. You just have to take it day by
day and it sounds like he's very much heading in the right direction.
Another question for moms of preemies: How much time did you spend in
NICU and what on earth did you do there? I'm hesitant to bother him
with touching while he sleeps so mostly just hang around staring at him
through the isolette (except when I'm allowed to hold him for a while).
Did you touch/stroke her while she was sleeping?
I'm not a preemie mom, but I've spent a few months working in the NICU.
On the whole I'd say the really involved moms would come in daily for
up to 2 or 3 hours and depending on how fragile the baby was they'd
either sit at the bedside or hold, feed, change diapers, etc. (and
pump). You're likely going to have him in there for at least a month,
so whatever routine you establish you'll have to keep up for a long
time -- make it something manageable. For someone who anticipates
being out in a week, she can basically live in the NICU. For the mom
of a 24-weeker, she won't be able to make it every day of her baby's
3-4 month stay. You're somewhere in between -- don't feel like you
have to be there every waking moment, especially if you have another
little one at home.
As for touch, etc, it all depends on how fragile your little guy is and
what he likes. Some babies clearly can't handle touch at first, some
just do beautifully for mom in a way they don't do when she's not
around. Look to the NICU staff for guidance and make your preferences
clear.
Kate, ignorant foot soldier of the medical cartel (pediatric resident)
and the Bug, almost 3 years
.
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