[SuburbanMom]

We are matched with a woman in a neighboring state who is in the hospital for preterm labor. She is 31w3d and they are having a hard time keeping her from contracting and dilating. Estimates are she won't last another week.

We are trying to prepare for this birth. I am really hoping someone who has BTDT can help me know what to expect. It's going to be difficult as I have 2 kids already (ages almost2 and almost 4) and the baby is going to be born at a hospital that is a 5 hour drive away.

Right now our plan is that I will leave immediately when birth is imminent. DH and the kids will follow. I will stay alone (in a short term apt rental that the agency is helping us arrange) about a week until the baby hopefully gets over the biggest hurdles. If I can find a sitter in the area, the kids will join me and DH will split his weeks 4 days here/3 days with us. That way I can spend part of my day in the hospital with the baby, the other part with my kids. The biggest problem is finding a sitter. We are desperately trying to network with friends-of-friends, etc. to find one. Does this sound like a good plan?

[angelical]

First of all, congratulations on the upcoming birth of your child.

One thing you might look into is if there is a Ronald McDonald House near the hospital. If there is, then you could stay there for the time that the baby's in the NICU...it is VERY affordable and a wonderful help in many ways to parents of sick kids.

If the baby is born at 31 weeks or so, then you need to be prepared for him to be in the hospital for up to the time that he would have been born ... so about 11 weeks. That is the estimate that they give to preemie parents.

Our son, though, was born at 28 weeks and only had to stay for 6 weeks. We were lucky.

If you have any specific questions about the preemie, please let me know. It is a wonderful, rewarding experience but it can be very scary too.

Sharel
Mom to Aaron, born at 28 weeks, now 13 months old.
(I had preeclampsia & had to deliver early. ... that's why were are adopting our next child!)

[Mommy2amiracle]

Congratulations!

Angelical had a great suggestion about the RM house. Our son was born at 31-32 weeks. He was in his birth hospital (2 hours from home) for 2.5 weeks and when they felt he was stable, the local children's hospital transported him to a hospital near our home (15 mins away). The birth hospital had hospital rooms available at no charge that we used on Friday and Saturday nights. We continued to work (6am-2pm) and then would get to the hosptial by 4pm and stay until 10pm. We were able to be there for 2 feedings and his bath and weighing each night. We spent from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening on the weekends at the hospital.

I would check with the hospital SW to see what baby sitting services you might be able to get at or near the hospital.

Good Luck!!!

Mommy2amiracle
3lb 1oz and 17 inches at birth on 11/07/02 and now 16lb 27in at 7 months!!!!

[clmsie]

i know premie's can be scary but it will be okay, my youngest son was born at 28 weeks and after a few weeks in the neonatal he was good to go and there is no stopping him now he is 5 and has already caught up and passed other kids in his age range. Congrats relax and it will all come together.

Best Wishes. =)

[SuburbanMom]

Thanks for your responses. I had already checked and there isn't a RM house in the area. I know they were great when my niece was born at 2lbs. We're still trying to prepare ourselves for what to expect with a preemie. We're cautiously optimistic and figuring at least a month before he comes home. That is, of course, unless the bmom changes her mind. Today she started showing signs of having some serious doubts. So, we'll just have to wait and see.

[tinazimm]

Congrats and I am also mommy to preemie emily rose. I to had preclamisia and had to deliver at 32 weeks. She was 3 pounds 1 ounce and was in hospital for only 3 weeks. Came home at 4 pounds 2 ounces. I also have an open adoption with my daughters family who is 12 now Go to http://www.picturetrail.com/tinazimm and go to first album to see emily story. Good luck finding help where is deliver going to be at maybe someone who is there in same state can help you. Best of luck Tina