re: Resources for parents of a 32-weeker

- What to expect if baby is in NICU
Expect the baby to have lots of wires, and scary seeming things. Try to convince yourself that these things are whats helping your baby live, and while they look scary to you, are the best things for baby. Ask LOTS of questions. Ask what every single thing they are doing does and why they are using it. Know that the nicu dance can be difficult. Sometimes it is one step forward and two steps back. Do not get your hopes up of the baby possibly coming home until baby can eat, breathe, hold a temperature, doesn't have any jaundice, and passes a carseat test with no issues. Getting your hopes up sucks, and while the nurses try to avoid telling you today is the day, they don't make the call. We were told every day except for one day that we would be going home that day, it took a week.
If you have a problem with a nurse, ask for the charge or head nurse. If the person you are having a problem with is that person, get someone higher than that. Do not let a crappy nurse ruin your time there. The nurse should be informative, explain things in a way you can understand, and should show you that you can trust them to help your baby. If something is wrong to you SAY SOMETHING.
- Breastfeeding
At first they may not let the baby eat, or may go to a feeding tube. Either way, there are pumps available and you can start pumping as soon as you feel up to it. Pump every two hours. Store the milk, all nicus have a fridge. When its time for the baby to eat they will use the feeding tube or a bottle. You can request a syringe. Actual breastfeeding will not be a possibility if you can not hold the baby. Once you can, they will try it. If baby has destats (heart rate or oxygen level drops) they will stop the feeding and use another method.
- How does visiting/caring for baby work? Can I stay there? If no, what do most people do when they have to leave baby at NICU?
The nicu my daughter went to did not allow me to stay there. I slept one night in the waiting room, and the rest f the time we were at the ronald mc donald house. Its an amazing place and if you need a place to stay look into it. Once baby is strong enough, you will go through the cares routine. Until the baby is strong enough for you to do it, the nurse will. You can watch. This basically means, taking a temperature, changing the diaper, and feeding. At my nicu, we could be there all hours of the day except for two, which was when they did cleaning, ect. 7-8am and pm. It will probably be different at yours.
- Under what circumstances does a baby usually leave NICU to go home?
Baby must eat(some babies do go home on feeding tubes, case by case basis), maintain breathing (sometimes it is allowable for the baby to go home on oxygen. This is a case by case basis.), pass a carseat test (sitting int he carseat with all monitors on for at least an hour to make sure they can sit at the angle without destating) have little to no jaundice (some babys do go home with a biliblanket, this was not available to me), and the baby must not be in critical condition. Ask the nurse the first day you are there and make a note. Actually, make note of every single step forward. Each one is a step to coming home.
- Does insurance usually cover NICU stays for baby?
The hospital has insurance people that will assist you with this. Every insurance is different. I had no insurance.
- and of course, how do I avoid/be prepared for possible barriers to bonding and other possible things I need to be aware of with caring for preemies?
Kangaroo care (nude baby on your bare chest) is awesome. As soon as it is available, do it! It is the best bonding for you and baby. Ask if you can do anything to help. There is prbably something you can do (even if its just to hold the legs during a diaper change, everything that you can actually do will boost your self esteem). Talk to the baby! They can hear you and know your voice. If you can, touch the baby, they will know its you by your scent and touch.

And most of all, don't fret if it all seems too hard and you don't think you can handle it. Ask for help from everyone you can. Make sure to eat, sleep, and take care of yourself too. Try to stay positive, yet know it's totally fine to break down completely. As long as you get back up after. If you find yourself becoming too depressed, get some help for yourself! And most of all, know it is a journey that will bring you closer to the baby than you already are now. And each day is a miracle.

best of luck, sorry for the novel.

Quoting ^-^ Rawr + 2:" - What to expect if baby is in NICU Expect the baby to have lots of wires, and scary seeming things. ... [snip!] ... that will bring you closer to the baby than you already are now. And each day is a miracle. best of luck, sorry for the novel."

yep this is pretty much the bible of the NICU right here its case by case but the perfect general guidlines for all NICUs and baby cases its general but pretty much perfectly describes it and I love how you often said this ASK ABOUT EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME its a good thing and you would be amazed what your able to do in there and how good it is for everyone just you taking babies temp or understanding the monitors as if you are able to you may hear or even see other babies not as well off as yours and know without having to make a big deal about it how the babies around your own are and each lil step taken means so much even when it seems like nothing also ask about nonutritive feedings to help about breastfeeding once you can do kangaroo care you can do non nutrative feedings which is letting baby latch right after you pump and letting them practice eating while your milk goes thru a feeding tube usually its great for practice and your supply before babies gag reflex kicks in once it does and if your baby has had no issues with the GI which most at 32 weeks are good you can breastfeed completly

Wow I'm so blown away by the wonderful amount of information shared. Thanks for taking the time to share this info, everyone. I'm home now but have to keep a close eye on things. I know I'll deliver early- it's just a matter of how early. I will have to read all of the responses on my laptop tonight cuz I'm on my phone now  Jyst wanted to say thanks, first. I know I will have more questions or something once I have a chance to read everything.

<blockquote><b>Quoting ^-^ Rawr + 2:</b>" - What to expect if baby is in NICU Expect the baby to have lots of wires, and scary seeming things. ... [snip!] ... that will bring you closer to the baby than you already are now. And each day is a miracle. best of luck, sorry for the novel."</blockquote>
No worries at all!! So thankful for the info. I really, really appreciate it!

Quoting HamHam:" <blockquote><b>Quoting ^-^ Rawr + 2:</b>" - What to expect if baby is in NICU Expect ... [snip!] ... of luck, sorry for the novel."</blockquote> No worries at all!! So thankful for the info. I really, really appreciate it!"

hey
i had my girls at 32 weeks, and found the about.com sections on NICU to be very informative, and accurate for the most part.
here is the link:
http://preemies.about.com/od/allaboutthenicu/a/NICUPart1.htm
http://preemies.about.com/od/allaboutthenicu/a/NICUPart1.htm

there are many many sections.

bottom line is at 32 weeks you're really over the hump as far as risks go. chances are pretty good that your baby would just need to grow a bit.
at the same time, i've basically never heard of anyone going home before 36 weeks. so that's probably a good personal mark to have as far as forming expectations.
best of luck to you!

Thanks for all the info, everyone. I ended up going back to L&D early this morning because my pre-e symptoms worsened. So I've been induced. I'm praying I don't need a c-section but if it comes to that, so be it. I haven't spoken to anyone from the NICU yet, so I'll be catching up on all the resources and information you all have shared. Thanks again 

Quoting HamHam:" Thanks for all the info, everyone. I ended up going back to L&D early this morning because my pre-e symptoms ... [snip!] ... to anyone from the NICU yet, so I'll be catching up on all the resources and information you all have shared. Thanks again "

Good Luck!

Quoting HamHam:" Thanks for all the info, everyone. I ended up going back to L&D early this morning because my pre-e symptoms ... [snip!] ... to anyone from the NICU yet, so I'll be catching up on all the resources and information you all have shared. Thanks again "

hey, please ask your doctor about a c section - those are supposed to be much easier on the premies
i know you'd rather go natural, but your baby might have an easier time w the c section....

Hey thanks again for all the info, everyone. I ended up having my baby on 3-10 at 9:18pm. He's quite the little guy- a real feisty one! Delivered naturally. he weighs 3lbs 10 ounces and 17 inches long. I'm still on magnesium treatment. This stuff sucks but baby is doing great! Haven't seen him since delivery though 

Quoting HamHam:" Hey thanks again for all the info, everyone. I ended up having my baby on 3-10 at 9:18pm. He's quite ... [snip!] ... long. I'm still on magnesium treatment. This stuff sucks but baby is doing great! Haven't seen him since delivery though "

'
aww i am sorry

may i ask why not

<blockquote><b>Quoting regina_margot:</b>" hey, please ask your doctor about a c section - those are supposed to be much easier on the premies i know you'd rather go natural, but your baby might have an easier time w the c section...."</blockquote>

I'll be honest- at some point I was having so many touch& go moments that I wished I'd just done the c-section. In hindsight, though, I'm glad natural delivery worked out. It was getting close to that point where it was going to be c-section if my health didnt improve. But then dilation sped up so quickly and baby was out in 4 pushes. I'm sad to say that this will likely be the last baby for us. The dr told me that given how things went down, the next one will be even earlier and the Pre- eclampsia will be even worse. So happy we decided to name baby after DH since this will be his only little guy. He wanted 12 kids LOL 

Quoting HamHam:" <blockquote><b>Quoting regina_margot:</b>" hey, please ask your doctor about a c section ... [snip!] ... will be even worse. So happy we decided to name baby after DH since this will be his only little guy. He wanted 12 kids LOL "

hey, how are you doing? how is your LO? hope all is well  

<blockquote><b>Quoting regina_margot:</b>" hey, how are you doing? how is your LO? hope all is well  "</blockquote>

Hi! Thanks for checking in. Discharge for me is tomorrow and though I feel super anxious about leaving baby here at the hospital, I know he is in good hands. I'm finally feeling a lot more "normal" now that the magnesium stuff is getting out of my system. The downside is that its hindered my ability to produce milk, which is frustrating. i had to just get over the fact that DS will get milk from a donor until my milk comes in. im hoping that happens in the next day or so. DS had his eyes wide open earlier which I'll take as a sign from him that everything will be fine. I hope it will be.
Thanks again for checking in 

Quoting HamHam:" <blockquote><b>Quoting regina_margot:</b>" hey, how are you doing? how is your LO? ... [snip!] ... earlier which I'll take as a sign from him that everything will be fine. I hope it will be. Thanks again for checking in "

Oh I wish you were closer I would give you my pumped colustrum for you to use ....I have enough to donate to the hospital here now that I am settled and waiting to see how long I can keep LO in myself im glad things worked out keep pumping momma and do as much skin to skin as you can