After Birth/NICU Anxiety

[jennifer8080]

Since we did prenatal testing and know with 99.2% certainty that Caleb does not have Down syndrome, I've had it in my head that this would be different and we would really get to relax and enjoy the adjustment from a family of 3 to 4. But now that we're getting closer to the birth, the remote chance that something could result in a NICU transfer is raising my anxiety level. I'm not going to lie, Kennedy's 5 days in the NICU were traumatizing and I can't imagine going through anything like that again. I want so badly for everything to go fine and to be able to have the true "newborn experience" that I feel like I missed its Kennedy's birth. Anyway, I'll stop rambling, I just needed to get that out.

[jen812]

I know you had a bad experience, but should that slim chance happen that you might need the NICU again, try to remember that they do have your baby's best interest at heart. I realize it's still tough, but I'm sure you have nothing to worry about this time around.

[sara76]

I worried every single day when I was pregnant. I think it's normal to worry. and I'm sure what you've already experienced only magnifies it a hundred times. Hang in there, this is going to be a piece of cake compared to where you've already been! ((hugs))

[jennifer8080]

The specifics of the NICU experience aside, it wasn't so much an issue of the staff that made it traumatizing. it's just the whole situation that made her first few days that way for me. Being separated from her, having to trek back and forth around the hospital after just having a baby, being stuck in a room with bugs (I'm not even kidding), pumping instead of BFing, not being able to move from a little corner with my baby, having someone call me in the middle of the night when she woke up to eat, etc. it wasn't a good transition into motherhood and that's my big fear again. As well as if he were to be transferred to the NICU I would be forced to choose between being away from one of my babies, and since I've never been away froM Akennedy for more than a few hours, it would be so hard for me.

And Sara - you're very right! It has to be easier than the roller coaster that we've been on over the past 15 months! And hopefully this is all just needless anxiety, and everything will be fine. I'm not nervous about anything else, I guess it's normal to be worried about something.

[amellis2]

I know it's scary, but have some faith, mama. He'll be ok. Your NICU called you when she woke to eat in the middle of the night? Our neo called once a day, gave me an update and waited for us to show up for Kangaroo time.

[jennifer8080]

Yes. They gave us a courtesy room since I was BFing/pumping. But it had bugs. And it was clear across the hospital. But yes, they did call us to come feed her.

[amellis2]

Oh, you mean while you were there. I stayed for 2 or three days and then the day before we brought Amelia home (almost 2 weeks later) we spent the night in the "Rooming in" room. Where did you deliver? At a birthing center, right?

Anyways, like I said, he'll be fine. Come get support from us anytime you need it.

[jennifer8080]

I delivered at a freestanding birth center and she was transferred to UCH, so I was never actually a patient there. They gave us a courtesy room, since I was breast feeding. We got to stay for free, but they didn't clean or take out the trash or anything. We were there 5 days. I suspect had it been much longer we would have lot the room.