re: What questions should I ask NICU doctors?

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mrs.DamonSalvatore:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Will☮Creedence:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting ... [snip!] ... Do you have a care plan for your little guy yet? i can find it what hers was if that we help, it was designed for triplets tho"</blockquote>


I don't even know what that is...is it something I would work out with NICU doctors?

<blockquote><b>Quoting Will☮Creedence:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Mrs.DamonSalvatore:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting ... [snip!] ... for triplets tho"</blockquote> I don't even know what that is...is it something I would work out with NICU doctors?"</blockquote>




Yes

Here's a link to a pdf care plan for preemies for your state http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CD4QFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnursing.uchc.edu%2Funit_manuals%2Fccmc_nicu%2FFORMS%2FFORM%2520-%2520SCP%2520for%2520Growing%2520Preemie%2C%2520Care%2520of%2520the%2520(9-1-11).pdf&ei=BQvqUOHpBYno8QSTzoHgDg&usg=AFQjCNGML0qroSwhRDd1lYx1x026H-7rtQ

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mrs.DamonSalvatore:</b>" Here's a link to a pdf care plan for preemies for your state http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=w ... [snip!] ... Here's a link to a pdf care plan for preemies for your state http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CD4QFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnursing.uchc.edu%2Funit_manuals%2Fccmc_nicu%2FFORMS%2FFORM%2520-%2520SCP%2520for%2520Growing%2520Preemie%2C%2520Care%2520of%2520the%2520(9-1-11).pdf&ei=BQvqUOHpBYno8QSTzoHgDg&usg=AFQjCNGML0qroSwhRDd1lYx1x026H-7rtQ"</blockquote>


Thanks   I can't look at it on my phone though and I'm actually in MA.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Will☮Creedence:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Mrs.DamonSalvatore:</b>" Here's a link to a pdf care plan for ... [snip!] ... Thanks   I can't look at it on my phone though and I'm actually in MA."</blockquote>




Oh sorry i thought you were in CT. But it's an idea if a care plan..good luck doll, I'll keep you and your little one in my thoughts

<blockquote><b>Quoting Will☮Creedence:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Mrs.DamonSalvatore:</b>" Here's a link to a pdf care plan for ... [snip!] ... Thanks   I can't look at it on my phone though and I'm actually in MA."</blockquote>


Which MA hospital are you in if you don't mind my asking?

<blockquote><b>Quoting MommaSav2:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Will☮Creedence:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting ... [snip!] ... it on my phone though and I'm actually in MA."</blockquote> Which MA hospital are you in if you don't mind my asking?"</blockquote>



Baystate in Springfield

Quoting Will☮Creedence:" <blockquote><b>Quoting MommaSav2:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Will☮Creedence:</b>" ... [snip!] ... Which MA hospital are you in if you don't mind my asking?"</blockquote> Baystate in Springfield"

How far do you live from the hospital your son will be in?
Are you getting steroids to help mature his lungs?
The main questions I had of the NICU doctor I talked to before my daughter was born at 27 weeks was, what to expect, as in her chances of survival, if she will have to be on a ventilator, what happens after they are off that.

From my experience, I was able to hold my daughter the day after she was born, but only for about 5 minutes. It really depends on his condition, how soon you will be able to hold him. Don't expect it to for very long though, for the first month, the longest amount of time I could her, was 10 minutes. Expect him to be very tiny, I could hold my daughter in my hand when she was first born.

Just keep talking to him, if you are able to, touch him, even if its only holding his hand, he knows your touch and he knows your voice better than anyone else. There is a preemie moms chat thread, I will link you to it. Also depending on his condition, it could happen within a couple days or a couple weeks, they will want you to do some of the taking care of him, like changing his diaper, washing him down, taking his temperature. Ask any and all questions of the NICU nurses, the nurses are truly what kept me sane.

Preemie moms chat thread http://forum.baby-gaga.com/about1074382-299.html

Between all of us in there, we have dealt with every issue a preemie could deal with.

You can rock kangaroo care in a moby to! Invest in one. Also you might want to look into a lactation consultant that doesn't work at the hospital that is 100% on your side and will offer you unbiased advice. I have heard of women with broken water and no contractions to start to pump while pregnant to stock up on colostrum.

When Morgan was in. Anyone over the age of 18 was allowed to visit. Siblings pf the baby were the only ones under 18 allowed. I was able to see her about 5 hours after she was born. And the mommy rooms weren't available until they expected the baby to go home within the week. Holding them depends on the baby. You probably won't be able to until about 30ish weeks gestation. But it really just depends. When the nicu team came in to talk to me.. They explained everything. I didn't have to ask questions. They told me what room id deliver in, if I'd be able to see her immediately. She was to be passed through a window between the room and nicu. After she was delivered, in the 5 hours before I could see her. The nurses would come by with updates. Her weight. If she was using oxygen. And so on.

Hopefully your hospital is as friendly as mine was! They made it so easy to know what was going on. The only thing that I don't know if it's the same everywhere. My hospital requires babies to weigh 5 lbs before discharge.

Everyone pretty much answered your question but IT'S wanna add if you're not sure on anything...medicines, procedures, treatment, etc. ask and ask again. My son's nurses would leave his chart out whenever I would visit so I could look it over, see his planned tests, feeding schedules etc. and ask any questions I may have.
Keep a journal and take lots of pictures too! And I hate to say this but when he's discharged, take anything that's not nailed down. Lol, they will serve as a momento/keepsake.
Good luck mama!

Aww I had no idea you were in the hospital. Have talked to you a few times before.
I think all your questions are good. As the others have said the NICU nurses should be pretty helpful.
Keeping you and baby in my thoughts.

<blockquote><b>Quoting TantricLemons:</b>" You can rock kangaroo care in a moby to! Invest in one. Also you might want to look into a lactation ... [snip!] ... advice. I have heard of women with broken water and no contractions to start to pump while pregnant to stock up on colostrum."</blockquote>

I have a Maya and a Beco! Can't really do skin to skin with either though   I guess I will send DH to the fabric store to get me some and start practicing.
And I realy don't want to start pumping yet. Maybe I will try hand expressing but I don't want to bring on contractions. I am planning on having my almost 3 yr old start nursing again as soon as I give birth to help my milk come in and keep my supply up since I could never get a lot pumping in the past and I absolutely cannot lose my supply. It's perfect because since my milk dried up months ago he is still asking all the time to breastfeed so I'm sure he'll be more than willing  

<blockquote><b>Quoting TantricLemons:</b>" You can rock kangaroo care in a moby to! Invest in one. Also you might want to look into a lactation ... [snip!] ... advice. I have heard of women with broken water and no contractions to start to pump while pregnant to stock up on colostrum."</blockquote>



Oh yeah and my midwives that I was supposed to have my home birth with are absolutely amazing and have been visiting me in the hospital and giving me all kinds of advice! I will ask them about breastfeeding and kind of feel them out I guess. Obbviously since they do all home births they don't deal with my situation so if they seem unsure I will find a lactation consultant. Why would the hospital one be bad?