This is not the direct translation of my other mandarin post regards to NICU and preemie.
Medical system is different at each country so I thought I will share our experience with NICU at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
Baby was unexpectedly born at 30 weeks through emergency C-section.
I didn’t have any symptoms of early delivery; however, you were never able to plan anything when comes to pregnancy. I had some lower backache at early morning and it got heavier pain close to lunch time. It never hit me that it’s “contraction” as I didn’t have experience with it. One of my coworkers reminded me that I should just called my OB to check. Even it’s not, I should be home to rest.
When I finally got to hospital, after checking into birth center (I did the pre-register with hospital long before the due date, so anytime I need to go into birth center, it SAVE lots of time as many paperwork already filed), the resident did a quick ultrasound then found baby was at breech presentation and I was already 8 cm dilated. Surprise that besides lower back pain, I didn’t feel any other uncomfortable. Emergency C-section was performed quickly due to the high risk situation.
Baby birth weight was 3 pounds and 5 ounce (1500g). He was sent to NICU right after he was born.
Kapiolani Medical Center is the best hospital in the Pacific for neonatal care and women’s health. Also one of the top ranked hospitals in the West coast.
Everyone at NICU is so nice and gentle not only to the most tiny patients but also to their family. It is a lot to take in within a very short time, overwhelming information to understand and nonstop worrying for your little one. There are a lot of support groups and knowledgeable hospital staffs always ready to answer your countless questions; however, what we have learned that the most important part is YOURSELF! The more knowledge you have with all preemie possibilities (good or bad), the less scare you are.
While baby was at NICU, I was with him from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. I was not only there to company baby, but also to learn the daily care process, ensure to be there for daily rounding so that I got the first hand information and update of our little one as well as asking questions and concerns if any. You will be surprise of how fast you can adopt new situation.
NICU nurses are 2 shits for each baby daily. Each nurse takes care roughly about 3 to 4 babies (depends on how full/busy). Even though each baby now has his/her private room at NICU, it’s fully monitored by various machines in the room, the remote terminal at the hallway and each working cellphone assigned to the nurse is also linked with the baby who is under their care monitor system. It’s pretty amazing of how they all manage to do this for 12 hours!!
I need to be very honest that throughout the entire NICU time, we did encountered 2 “interesting” nurses. Maybe it was a bad day for them? However, I am glad that I was there almost the whole day time so that I was able to pick up whatever needs to be done and take care of my little one. The nurses at night shift for our baby are always wonderful and amazing which also why I feel comfortable to head home and get some rest at night.
Kangaroo care (KC) is the practice of skin-to-skin contact between an infant and parent. There are lots of information on the internet and easily to find. I will say this is one of the most amazing things you can do for your little one. It not only provides baby the comfort but also gives parents peace of mind of being able to hold the tiny precious. Both mom and dad can do do KC.
I enjoyed KC so much with baby twice a day and each time roughly about 15 to 30 minutes. The length of time of doing KC depends on how baby’s condition is. In usual case, the allow time will be longer and longer once baby is more stable and strong.
Breast feeding is probably the most challenge after giving birth.
I am grateful of professional lactation at NICU to help and guide me. I was able to do 100% breast milk for near 9 moths long even though after the 5th month, baby starts being a bit rejecting to latch and due to my working schedule as well as hubby’s cancer treatment timetable, I decide to try switch to fully pump out breast milk and bottles for baby. He adjusted very well with the change.
Pump is totally different challenge compare to breast feeding. Every mom surely trying their best for squeezing the breast milk, and there is always going to be a point that you are so tired and so frustrated of trying to keep up the pumping schedule on top of lack sleeping, resting and more. I pushed myself to a point that I knew I have to stop or otherwise I would be totally broken down. Some hard cord breast milk supplying mom will criticize me not being able to do 100% breast milk. However, it’s my life, my choice, my family and no one will be in the same shoes of the situation I was going through. I tried my best and I knew that. Therefore, I don’t really care what others might say. Baby is doing perfectly well with 1/2 breast milk and 1/2 formula. Gradually, after turning 1 year old, he is 100% on formula.
Baby spent 6 weeks and couple more days in NICU before discharging. The last 4 weeks were generally monitoring and waiting for him to be able to feed fully via nursing or bottles. That’s the long waiting process and you can’t rush your little one. As preemie, a lot of physical motor skills were developing a bit slower than regular baby. What you think is “normal” for others, sometimes, it does takes extra time for your little one to learn. However, when your NICU nurse asked you to bring the carseat you have prepared for the little one to NICU for stress testing, you will know that the sign of baby is heading home very soon.
It is really a scare start while having a preemie, but, as parents, you have no much options but learn and be brave with your precious one(s). Our best advice will be:
- Be there whenever you can so you have the first hand information of your baby
- Ask questions. There is no small or big or silly question, if you are not sure, ask.
- Be prepare and do research. Never just sit and wait.
- Support each other (partners/ husband & wife..etc.)
- Ask help. If you need help, ask.
- Be grateful for every single moment. At NICU, you will realize a simple stable breath is such a precious thing and magic.
May every preemie and his/her parents be blessed and be healthy.