Re: preemie-l Hello and New Mom Questions
Kyle Ellars (lrz@indy.net)
Fri, 07 Jun 1996 18:25:35 -0700
Leslie Ramsey wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> As a new subscriber to the list, I thought I'd introduce myself and throw
> out a few questions. My name is Leslie Ramsey; my husband is Philip. Our
> twin daughters, Julia and Melanie, were born May 14 at 32 weeks. Due to
> severe lung development problems, which we knew about from week 20, Melanie
> only survived about 30 minutes--an outcome we expected, but it still has
> been difficult to deal with.
>
> Julia--or Julie, as we call her--is beautiful and thriving. She's up to 3
> lb. 7.5 oz. now from a birth weight of 2 lb. 13.5 oz. She's on room air and
> is building back up to full feedings (now 3 ccs every four hours) after a
> bout with an infection in her second week, which forced the doctors to put
> her back on IV feedings. So, in general, she's doing well.
>
> The unfortunate news came yesterday. I know all preemie parents live in
> fear of that call from the hospital in the early weeks. Well, ours came
> yesterday. The doctors had told us to expect all kinds of potentially
> dangerous development: infections, NEC, etc. But no one prepared us for
> the news that Julie had broken her leg! No one knows how it happened (my
> theory is that our little Rockette just kicked the side of the isolette too
> hard), but they've got her in traction now (legs secured to a pillow and
> immobilized) and expect no long-term damage from it. I worked hard at being
> calm about it for several hours until the doctor told me that she would be
> in traction for two to three weeks and that we wouldn't be able to hold her.
> That's when I lost it. As I'm sure you all understand, I live to hold my
> baby in my arms and I'm desperate to start nursing. Do any of you have any
> experience with long periods of time during which you weren't able to hold
> your babies? What did you do to cope/compensate? Three weeks seems an
> impossibly long time to me.
>
> Oh yes, I have a couple other practical questions:
>
> 1) When she comes home, at about 4-5 lbs., will I need preemie diapers
> (disposable), how many and for how long? I know I can buy Preemie Pampers
> by the case (180 diapers per case) but is there anywhere else I can get the
> small diapers?
>
> 2) The nurses have told me not to buy too many preemie clothes because
> she'll grow to newborn size very quickly. What will I need and how many
> pounds will she have to be before she can begin to wear newborn clothes?
> Remember, I'm a brand-new mom and don't know any of this stuff!
>
> Thanks for your attention and help. If anyone would like to take a look at
> my beautiful girl, her dad has created a Web page for her at
> http://www2.gvp.com/philip/julie.htm
> Leslie Ramsey
> Manassas, Virginia
> lramsey@cappubs.comMy daughter Zoë was born on May 9th, 1996. My husband & I haven't been
able to hold her yet. We cover her head gently with one hand & let her
grad onto a finger. We cradle her legs in the other hand. Because she
is very sensitive to touch, light and noise, we have to be very careful.
She is very responsive to the light touching we do with her. She really
likes the contact. It is tough not being able to hold her, but I know I
will be able to someday. Hang in there!