Baby Mush arrived at 29,3

[Mushe]

Sooooo, this is hard to share. We went to SoCal for a quick vacation, to celebrate DS’s end of K and have a last little trip together. Thursday was our first day (of 2) at the park, and I felt something wet at about noon. It was a little (Palm size?) blood. 😥 We got a first aid escort through the backstage, where I caught an Uber to the hospital, per my OB’s directive. H and DS had to walk to the hotel for our car.

They diagnosed placental abruption by elimination, i.e., not PTL or previa, and it was a waiting game. I was having contractions about 2-4 minutes apart, but not strong, just like Braxton Hicks. Sometimes she didn’t tolerate them well, and then overnight the lengthened in between, but got stronger, and she really didn’t like those. They weren’t productive in that my cervix was long and closed, but her HR crashed to 90-100bpm at 6am, and they rushed me to the OR for an emergency c under general. Another issue is that she was measuring small on their growth scan; she’d been almost a week behind at A/S, but the MFM thought that was her normal, as she was also behind at the NT scab, based on my 6-8w scans.

Baby girl is doing very well for her age! She’s breathing on her own, with pressure helped by a CPAP. 2 lbs, 4oz. I’m doing my best to pump and get going, but it’s been chaotic being tied to a bed and OOT. My sister is amazing and flew down to help with DS, taking him to Disneyland yesterday. She’ll be with me today, while H takes DS to Great Wolf Lodge, since we’d already paid and planned that. She will fly him home tomorrow and my parents will watch him at least next week. There’s a Ronald McDonald House here that they’re trying to get us into.

[Mushe]

We hadn’t broken our impasse on names yet, so we talked a lot about it last night. H suggested Mira, because she’s a miracle in so many ways. It had been on our list for that reason. It’ll be the middle name. We want to chat with DS. He was telling my sister he likes Claire, but I know he’s gotten it from my mom, who’s obsessed with Outlander. 😆 We actually like that, but don’t love it.

[thoseareradishes]

Oh my goodness Mushe! So happy to hear you and baby are doing well. Let me know if you have any questions about NICU life, or if you just want to talk. I can PM you my email or phone if you want.

[King26]

Congratulations! What a crazy ride but I'm glad you are doing well and so is baby girl.

[pooh8402]

Congratulations! Sounds like she is a trooper so far, and I'm hoping that yall are all home soon!

[loira]

Congratulations! I'm sorry it happened so unexpectedly and soon, but glad to hear baby is doing well. We're here for you if you need anything!

[raangoli]

I saw this on the app so forgive the intrusion to TTTC.

Congratulations, I’m glad to hear that you’re both doing well. Baby girls fight like hell in the NICU, my own arrived super unexpectedly as well at 31w 2d. I’m here if you want to chat or just ask questions about the roller coaster ride that the NICU is.

Sending strength and love.

[Chrysanthemum]

Congratulations Mushe! What a surprise! Sending you and baby girl love and strength!

[konapoppy]

Congratulations friend! She is here and a fighter and I can’t wait until you are all home together. ❤️❤️❤️

[Mushe]

Thanks so much, guys!

raangoli, don’t feel like it’s an intrusion at all. I appreciate your insight!

[dellabear]

Oh my, congrats Mushe! That must have been such a shock and whirlwind - so glad your little girl is doing well. Love the name Mira too ❤️

[grover]

Congrats! I'm glad you and she are both doing well.

[cherryvalance]

Congrats! Lots of love and healthy vibes to you both!

[mpc]

oh mushe! I'm so glad to hear she's doing ok.  That must've been so hard and scary for you and your family. I hope you're doing ok too. Did they give you any steroids? Will you be stuck OOT til she's out of the NICU? I'm glad you were able to get to a hospital and get such good care. She is here now and in the best possible care. All my love to you.

[Mushe]

mpc, I did get the first of the two steroid shots before she came, and I was on magnesium sulfate for 12 hours too. She’s doing well, so hopefully that continues!

I’ll be here for the long haul. We’re hoping they can transfer her at some point to our local high level NICU, but that’s a ways off. I have an automatic 8 weeks of disability leave for having a c/s. H can take 8 weeks paternity leave, but we thought it would be good to save some for when she comes home.

[ivy]

Wow, Mushe! What a dramatic turn of events. I’m glad she’s doing well and hope you’re being taken care of too. That’s a lot to process. I’ll be thinking of you!

[cactuscookie]

Oh my gosh. What a surprise. I'm so glad everyone is doing so well.

[oneslybookworm]

Oh my!! So glad she’s doing ok but I’m sorry things have been so crazy!! Keeping you in my thoughts, hang in there!

[lo]

Congrats!! Thinking of you and your family!

[turboteal]

Oh my gosh, how scary! And to be out of town when it all happens, I'm sorry it all went down like that, are you doing ok? But 29 weeks is pretty good, and just on CPAP is great! Congrats on a strong little girl! Did they give you a dose of steroids before you delivered? I hope her stay isn't too long and she gains weight quickly!

If you can't get a RMH room, the hospital/social workers probably can refer you to some extended stay hotels they have family use frequently and maybe can get you a discount. I'd be happy to help out if you need any for an extended stay at a hotel. Take care of yourself right now! The NICU staff are watching her so don't be afraid to sleep and take care of yourself right now too.

ETA so like 5 hours passed between my opening this thread and being able to reply, now I see you already updated and did get some steroids. That's great and can make such a difference! Thinking positive thoughts for all of you guys!

[awick14]

Congrats Mushe!

I’m so happy she is doing well. Are you able to maybe transfer to a hospital closer to home, so that it would be easier on you all. (If that’s even possible)

[kellikans]

Oh my goodness! Congrats on your baby girl! Glad to hear she's doing so well.

How do the logistics of things work while you're out of town?

I'm guessing you're down in the Anaheim area. I'm in L.A. if you need anything.

[Mushe]

awick14, I’m not even sure what the setup is, but Ronald McDonald House is a charity where families can stay when they have a child in the hospital. It sounds like it’ll be more comfortable than a hotel, and it’s jsur 2 miles away. Hoping we get in quickly!

They did say that transport is a possibility eventually, but she’s too little now. It’s at least an 8 hour drive, so the original NICU doctor said it would be a plane if they did that later.

Thank you, kellikans!

[Mushe]

I see I didn’t really explain the whole issue. They said after the c that they could see evidence of some abruption of the placenta from the uterine wall, but just partial. They could maybe have kept that under control, but for the contractions bothering her so much. They weren’t productive, but she wasn’t happy.

I have been pumping, and so excited that things are rolling this time! I had a heck of a time starting with DS, who didn’t like my right breast at all for weeks, but all they had was a hand pump. H had to run out to buy a pump when we got home, since this was pre-ACA, and my milk still took days To come in. I’m assuming I’ll be able to take a hospital pump when I’m discharged, and they have one in each NICU area too.

[peas]

Wow - congrats! I'm so sorry you had to go through that though especially without friends and family nearby. I hope she continues to get stronger and can transfer soon.

I love the name Mira for a middle name especially with the meaning behind it!

[thoseareradishes]

Mushe, I had to rent a Medela Symphony to use at home, and the hospital gave me one to use in her room. I had 2 sets of pump supplies, one at home and another at the hospital, so I didn't have to carry back and forth. They also gave me a cooler bag that I used to transport milk from home to hospital. Ask lactation for anything you need - they really want to support you with pumping because breast milk is so good for preemies.

[King26]

Mushe I hope they get you in to RMH. I volunteer at the one near us to make baked goods and breakfast. They have a comfy common area and a huge kitchen for everyone to use and supply food. At ours people cook breakfast foe the guests and being or bake sweets. It's really nice and super low cost to stay.

[Mushe]

Thank you, thoseareradishes! That’s a great idea.

King26, you are awesome for volunteering. Thanks for giving me an idea of what to expect.

[scm1011]

Oh my goodness, Mushe!! How scary and unexpected. I am so so happy baby girl is doing well despite the early entrance, that pumping is going well, and you have some support down there. I loooove the name Mira, good luck making a final decision on the first name. Sending love and strength to you and your daughter!!

[mrsgoontz]

Mushe my goodness! I'm so sorry for the scare but so glad she is such a strong little ass kicker and doing well. You're amazing!

I like all of the names you mention, can't wait to hear which one wins out.