Proud of our accomplishments in the NICU.

cranberry

Active Member
My world is that of the micro-preemie We've finally become really really good at growing the 24 week gestation babies. We've had our first verifiable 23-2/7 weeker pull through all the odds to a nice stable 30 weeker now. Lots of roller coaster rides left in her stay, but she is strong and a fighter. Now, she had all the benefits on her side to survive.... female, a singleton and she's black... but we've never done it before.
Of course I can't show pictures, but she's the cutest little peanut you ever did saw.
For those of you that are or may be involved in high risk pregnancies... just know there is hope.
 

meowzer

Moderator
That's amazing.....My son was born at 30 weeks, and weighed 2.8 lbs.....This was 19 years ago...He was 100% developed (thank God) and he has a slight case of cerebral palsy (spastic diplegia) in his lower extremities...
It amazes me what they can do these days....
 

bionicarm

Active Member
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3092819
My world is that of the micro-preemie We've finally become really really good at growing the 24 week gestation babies. We've had our first verifiable 23-2/7 weeker pull through all the odds to a nice stable 30 weeker now. Lots of roller coaster rides left in her stay, but she is strong and a fighter. Now, she had all the benefits on her side to survive.... female, a singleton and she's black... but we've never done it before.
Of course I can't show pictures, but she's the cutest little peanut you ever did saw.
For those of you that are or may be involved in high risk pregnancies... just know there is hope.
Congrats Cranberry. My wife has been an SICU/MICU nurse for almost 30 years now. She sees the opposite spectrum that you do. I've asked her why she never worked in the NICU, and she said she did one rotation and good never muster up the courage to deal with what usually ends up a tragedy for a new parent. She has the utmost respect for all the nurses that work in these units.
 
Wow, this really is amazing to hear about! Almost brings tears to my eyes. I could never do what you do, it really is amazing.
What do these things
"female, a singleton and she's black"
do to help her survive?
 

cranberry

Active Member
Originally Posted by seeinstars89
http:///forum/post/3092995
Wow, this really is amazing to hear about! Almost brings tears to my eyes. I could never do what you do, it really is amazing.
What do these things
"female, a singleton and she's black"
do to help her survive?
Statistically,
girls do better than boys (lung develop timeline),
singletons do better than multiples (smaller weight although that is not the only aspect... they share all resources)
and black babies, or African American (whatever you happen to think is more politically correct) do better (although I don't know the reason behind that one).
They are like little kittens at that age..... eyes fused at all.
Not only did she survive... she's excelling.... no brain bleed (very common at that age and is generally what "takes them"). She is having no liver issues because she got off the IV fluids in a timely matter and her lungs have not received too much damage from the breathing machine (which she got off in a timely matter).
She's PERFECT!!!!
There are SO many rewards and great stories where I work. I couldn't work in a chemo area.... makes me too sad. Thankfully, for every nurse there is a niche.
 

jennythebugg

Active Member
<--- for you cranberry to not only excell at your higher calling in life but to to take your patients to heart like that- all nurses should be like you *kisses* for the babies
 

dive girl

Member
I'm so glad to hear that!!! Congrats!!
I work for a hospital in our cancer program and in research (very little going on right now because of funding) but I've gotten to help some of our neonatologists on a trial to help extend the gestation period with twins and triplets. So I'm thrilled to hear this!! I know that working in the NICU is a huge investment of one's self.... Thanks!
 

spiderwoman

Active Member
That is truly amazing. I remember when I was pregnant with our twins and was put on bedrest at 28 weeks when I was already 1.5 dialated and 80&#37; effaced, contracting every 3 minutes and was at L&D 3 times a week for contractions. I had the FFN test done at 30 weeks and it was positive. I was told that I'd be lucky to make it past 32 weeks. We did the NICU tour to get used to what most likely would be our babies next home.
Long story short, the NICU nurse told us that we are very lucky that I was pregnant with girls, because the weakest are the white little boys :)
I defied all odds and delivered our girls at 38 weeks gestation (6lbs and 5lb 14oz), perfectly healthy little girls.
 

cranberry

Active Member
Originally Posted by SpiderWoman
http:///forum/post/3094275
Long story short, the NICU nurse told us that we are very lucky that I was pregnant with girls, because the weakest are the white little boys :)
We call it "Whimpy White Boy Syndrome". LOL.
 

flpriest

Member
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3094337
Their lungs at least catch up to the females in time.....
that's why females can talk so much!

J/K
That is great news to hear Cranberry! It sounds like someone besides all of you wonderful NICU nurses and her parents is holding her hand and helping her through her rough beginning here on Earth.
 
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