My Baby in NICU

You need to ALSO get a copy of PAIN FREE WOMEN by Pete Egoscue. This book will tell you what things to do to decrease or get rid of your back pain. Besides, you can't really enjoy the child if you're in so much pain.

I have a wonderful story of hope for you! During my US at 5mo, they found a cyst between her heart and lung. My mom was with me, but I had left my daughter's father shortly before this ultrasound. (He was abusive.) After talking with a neo-natal specialist, they informed me that it was something called CCAM, and that they may have to surgery on her while she was in my belly! They didn't even perform this type of surgery in Indiana at the time, so I would've had to go out of state. They continued to do weekly US's and monitor the situation. Because the cyst had not grown, I did not have to have the surgery before she was born. The NICU team was on standby as I had her, and they took her immediately. I didn't even get to hold her first! They determined that she did not have CCAM, but said she had something called pulmonary sequestration and a heart murmur. She was a healthy 8lbs, but still spent her first week in the hospital. It was several days before I was able to hold her the first time. I spent hours at the hospital daily, and is was excrutiating to leave her at the end of the night. She is now a more than healthy, happy, independant little 7yr old gal who has given me a run for my money since the time she was in the womb! I had several medical "run-ins" over the first couple of years. They had me take her to a neurologist because she had a large head. (Dad has the same large head!) She had to return to the pulmonary specialist for checkups at 9mo, 2yrs, and 5yrs. At her appointment at 5yrs, they could not even find the cyst anymore! The NICU can be so scary, and it really tends to make you feel like you have failed as a mother at times because you couldn't control what happened, but there are many, many happy endings that come from the NICU. It is hard leaving him there, but have faith it will get better.

Hi Amy,
So sorry to hear about your new baby. It sounds like he is going to be okay though. That's great he's responsive, crying, and eating!
Anyway, I have been through a similar situation, and I understand how bad it hurts not to be with your newborn every second of the day.
My daughter was born at 38 weeks as well. She seemed fine right away, but in recovery she would not wake, eat, and was not responsive. So, she was taken to NICU. She as well was put on an IV and antibiotics because they suspected infection.
Now, I am going to be honest with you. Once they take those blood cultures they have to wait a couple of days to see if something grows. If there is infection, the newborn will have to be on an antibiotic through an IV at the hospital. So, there is a possibility the baby would not go home with you. However, if he is really thriving, maybe they're not too concerned about infection, and they will let him go home with you and call about the results. My daughter acted sick and was not thriving so there was no talk of her going home.
My daughter had to stay. Yes, leaving your newborn at the hospital is the hardest thing to do, but I just had to remind myself we were doing the best thing for her. She did end up having an infection, and was on an antibiotic. After that she came home, and I honestly don't think I ever stopped holding her for the entire first year. She will be 3 in January, and is still so cuddly because I held her so much. Good luck to you! Stay strong for your baby boy!

Hi Amy,

I can relate to your story and feel in my heart that everything will be okay. NICU is a great place to be. My son was delivered via emergency c-section and wisked away just moments after birth. I was finally able to see him the next day. Excrutiating for a mother. He was there for a week and moved on to another unit where he stayed for more than three months. My husband and I spent as much time as possible at the hospital only leaving at 11 p.m. to go home and sleep and do it all again the next day. I wouldn't change a thing. He is stronger b/c of everything he went through and had a healthy, happy mama and daddy ready for him every day.
Your son sounds like a fighter and the flip side to all of this is that you do get to spend time with him as he grows stronger each day. I'm sure it does not seem like much time but he knows his mother and surely thrives when you are with him. He's showing you great signs...eating, no more oxygen, resting in your arms. You are his mama, take peace in that, you are here for him and he knows this. Best of luck to you and let us know how he is doing!

Beleive me, I know what you are going through. My son was born at 26 weeks & I was not able to hold him for the first month & he was in the NICU for his first 3 months of life. It was the most horrible feeling..BUT you just have to remember the drs & nurses are the experts & know what they are doing & you just have to trust that. Just know that your son is being well taken care of & that in a matter of time he will be home with you for good....just let him get better first. Since there is nothing that you can do to speed the process up just take advantage of this time to take care of yourself! B/c soon enough it won't be all about you. :) I will keep you & him in my prayers that he gets to go home with you on Thurs!!

Best Wishes!