Wow, you guys... - Pregnancy, Birth & Baby Forums ~ BellyBelly

sasha · #1 (**permalink**) September 11th, 2009, 09:31 PM

Mods feel free to move this if you don't think it appropriate to put here

I just wanted to say wow to all you mums and your families who have babies in SCN, my heart goes out to you and you really have my respect. I 'caught up' with a former workmate on Facebook recently and saw that her little boy had been in NICU at PMH - I saw a video she's posted of his time in and out of hospital, all the tubes and the waiting for weight gains and always hoping that he could come home... I just don't think I've ever really thought about how exhausting that could be and how much of a weight it must be for you to carry.

It also made me realise how naive I am that I would always feel "safe" once I'd hit 30 weeks in my pregnancy - like, yay! Now if the baby happened to be born early, s/he would be fine, 30 weeks is way long enough

I know, kind of stupid, huh?!!

I can't imagine how hard it must be, or how incredible it is when your baby achieves a milestone that term babies just take for granted, or when you FINALLY get to take you little one home - but just from seeing what my workmate went through, I feel like I have a slightly better understanding, and I wanted to let you know I think you're all amazing (as are your little champions who seem to go through so much and still surprise everyone). Big Hugs.

**Sunshine** · #2 (**permalink**) September 11th, 2009, 10:30 PM

beautiful. xx

nickers · #3 (**permalink**) September 16th, 2009, 09:18 PM

thats lovely that you have posted this message and you soind like a very thoughtful person Bec!

Ellee05 · #4 (**permalink**) September 16th, 2009, 10:17 PM

What a lovely message Sasha. Well said!! My DD was only in there for 9 days born at 36wks and I considered myself so lucky compared to the others I shared my journey with in NSCN. Their strength and the smiles on their faces really were inspirational.

Dotty · #5 (**permalink**) September 18th, 2009, 05:22 PM

yes, its a very hard journey...my girl was in PMH in the NICU for 4 weeks and we have since been in again in other wards for 3 days and then again for 3 weeks!! we are still not sure whats wrong with our girl but thanks to the wonderful people at PMH we hope to get to the bottom of it soon! I really dont wish this journey on anyone and my prayers go out to those who are on an even harder journey than we are!!

Sally2 · #6 (**permalink**) September 18th, 2009, 07:04 PM

Thanks Bec
It was absolutely exhausting, emotionally draining, terrifying and the most rewarding experience all rolled into one.
It does make me sad though that you, a stranger, seem to understand how FULL ON it was, yet my bosses at the time made it all SOOO HARD.
Grrrrr........
It does mean a lot to be acknowledged in that way, thanks!!

~Sally~ · #7 (**permalink**) September 21st, 2009, 03:17 PM

Thanks Sasha,

It's sad the lack of understanding the general community have about premmies.

Thankyou for your kind message.

sasha · #8 (**permalink**) September 24th, 2009, 01:26 AM

Oh, you're all very welcome!

Sally2 - sorry to hear your bosses were so *#$& about it. I don't get that at all (but a friend is going through a similar thing atm with his own illness and lack of empathetic bosses grrr)

Dotty, hope your little one bounces back soon and is home with you for good!

Dotty · #9 (**permalink**) September 24th, 2009, 09:05 PM

thanks Sasha..me too!!!!

*Beema* · #10 (**permalink**) September 24th, 2009, 10:12 PM

What a beautiful post Sasha

So many people just don't understand what it is like unless they have been through it, and it is lovely to hear from someone who hasn't been through it, but has some understanding of what it is like.

Unfortunately for many it doesn't end when we come home from NICU/SCN, weight gain worries go one for months and years in some cases, we have had a shocker of a winter, we were very lucky last year, as DD was born in the middle of Winter, but we were very very careful - or probably seen by strangers as premmie paranoia!! But all for good reason, this Winter DD been cosntantly ill since 6 respiratory infections, three trips to hospital and a four day stay!

I wish more people understand that just because they get to a point where the may not need to stay in an issolette that they can be handed around like a piece of meat. A friend didn't let anyone else other than her and her DH hold her 26 weeker until she reached term, she said well she was supposed to be in my tummy and they wouldn't have been able to hold her then, so why whould they hold her now!