Topics Discussed This Month
coming home with monitors

Jane responds, "I didn't find the monitor to be too much of a pain.  It is pretty portable and has a battery that lasts for quite a while (different amount of time on different monitors).  I don't know about your situation -- but we were told as long as we were able to be with him and watch his color -- that we didn't have to have the monitor on him.  So, I would take it for the car ride and then disconnect it when we got to our location.  One comment though.  At least in the beginning you probably won't feel like venturing out much.  And you will need to take precautions (especially with it being RSV season and if you are planning on going to playgroups/etc where there are lots of children).  Talk to your neos about it.  And use your best judgment.  After a while I felt like I trusted my son and knew him well enough that I started taking him out.  I still tried to get people not to touch his hands (and if they did I wiped them with a wet wipe).  And I would ask if they'd been sick before I would let them hold him. Main thing was hand washing, keeping him away from crowded areas, and away from children." 

Angie adds, "My boys were both on monitors when they came home.  They really aren't that much trouble.  The kind that we had was slim and had an over the shoulder carrying case.  It had enough space in it to throw in some "necessities" for a short outing.  The cable was pretty long though and I had to make sure that I didn't trip over it!  I'm a Klutz!!  Lugging around the monitors (Joey was also on an Oximeter) for both boys was a chore but when I had just Jake with me it was pretty easy.  It might be a little awkward at first but you'll be used to it in no time.  I didn't let the monitors stop me from taking the boys out almost every day during the summer for walks or even out to the mall occasionally!  The monitor does draw attention so be prepared to answer lots of questions, especially from children."

Patti responds, "My twins have been on monitors since they came home two weeks after birth. They are nearing three months. Ped thinks maybe monitors will come off around 4 months, depending on when last apnea occurred. Life certainly becomes more complicated with monitors. I was quite mad when I discovered we would need them but now, like many moms, I am used to them and wonder how I will give them up. My twins go without them periodically throughout the day now. Definitely during naps and nighttime they are hooked up. I have discovered that the belts give more false alarms because they have a tendency to slip. The sticky electrodes worked for over 2 months with my guys. Just have to watch that a skin reaction doesn't occur. Shaine ended up with some horrible red marks from the electrode placement. I use a double stroller when we go out. Monitor(s)in front and baby(ies) in back. Works pretty well. In the care, always have monitor in front seat with you so you can see the lights. And make sure you learn CPR well. I needed it the day after we came home when Shaine quit breathing and turned blue. "

Michelle adds, "Once my girls made three pounds we really didn't have any more problems with A's and B's.  We were lucky.  Our Pulmonologist said we could use the monitors only when they were napping and sleeping if we wanted to.  He actually would like to discontinue them soon.  I  guess that could be good for us and bad for my anxiety.  I am writing this because in a previous posting about monitors there was mention on the (excuse me if I spell or name this wrong) vaso vega reflex.  The only time since we came home our monitors have gone off is after getting there ROP followups which I was informed triggered this and its not a uncommon thing.  When the girls were in the NICU still,  we on more than one occasion had very bad reactions after our eye checkups.  Both girls had to be bagged and once Kaci had to be reintubated.  Thank God these reactions seemed to get better has they got bigger.  On the days we go to the opthamologist I am a Mother Hen all day watching.  Also sometimes radio waves in your home even your car can cause interference with your monitors.  Megan's monitor would always go off in the car.  That is the only time it seemed to go off and it was for a low heart rate.  The monitor company came to the conclusion there is interference in someway with the vehicle.  It doesn't matter now because we only use it at sleep time now.  Just a few FYI's for you.