[KRVRN]

So my little 23 week primary that I've only had the privilege of taking care of twice has a grade IV IVH. Typical... does well for a few days, then the body systems start dumping. Kept having high sugars then all of a sudden in 2 hours' time they dump to 50 and the CBC starts to suggest sepsis. She was born Friday night and I had her Saturday. Then I get her back Sunday and her fontanelle was SO very tense and we keep transfusing her but we can't get her H/H up for long. I just KNEW as I left work this morning that she had a bleed. I called the day nurse to check on her and a HUS had confirmed what I already knew. So sad when it's really nice parents and an unexpectedly quick delivery...

[emily_mom]

It's so tough to see babies born that early. My SIL had twins at 28 weeks (which I know are a lot bigger), but one had a bleed. Thank God he recovered fully.

Babies this size are so touch and go. I hope that things go well for her. Keep us posted and keep your chin up....

Kristy

[dawngloves]

(((Kristi))) I haven't had a teeny one in a while.It is rough. What grade bleed?

[prmenrs]

I'm so sorry, KR. Don't they just break your heart sometimes?

[cgr27_99]

Hello Everyone!! This is a wonderful site!! I had a 24 week baby back in 1996. Once I actually got into the NICU and seen what those nurses do and go through in there, that's what made my mind up that I wanted to be a NICU nurse. My daughter is now 6 and she is doing wonderful!! We visit the nurses there all the time, and believe me they love to see those babies come back to visit. My daughter had a grade IV brain bleed, and had to have the spinal taps to remove the fluid, but thank god that it resolved itself in the early stages!! She also has had the PDA heart surgery, laser surgery on her little eyes, because her blood vessels were detaching, there is almost too many things to name that went wrong while in the NICU. But I look at it like this, she is alive today and I am just thankful that there is a god out there. I seen many babies not make it over the six months that we were in the NICU. And my heart goes out to those parents!!

I am currently attending Vanderbilt University, going for my BSN and working toward being a NICU nurse. I just can't wait until the day that I can show someone the pics of my daughter, or tell them that I was there in their place at one time, and that they will have their good and bad days, but to never give up hope and just to pray every extra minute that they get!!! I think it's the things like that - that will make me stronger.

[nell]

cgr27_99 ,

Best wishes with your studies. What an incredible little girl you've got! You'll be a greaat asset in the NICU, having actually experienced what the parents go through.

Welcome to the forum.

[cgr27_99]

Thank you Nell!!! She has sure been through alot, but she's a tough little thing!! The statement "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" is true!! She [knock on wood] hardly ever gets sick. She is truely my miracle baby!!

I'm hoping that I can be of help to other parents as they may be put into the same situation as I once was. It's something that I just pray never happens to anyone, but unfortunately we have no control over that. My problem was that I had an incompetant cervix. So, there was no preventing it from happening. I now, have a 2 year old also. But knowing ahead of time of my problems, I was able to get a stitch in my cervix to prevent premature birth again. And thank god that it worked!!! I actually went 2 weeks over. EHEHEH...the PAIN. Since Chelsea only weighed 1lb 11oz [763 grams], it was almost like it was my first actual labor.

Thanks, Crystal