1st great-grand is a preemie - prayers please

Piney Woods · #1 03/20/13, 03:24 PM

My first great-grandchild, a boy, was born yesterday at 24 weeks gestation. He survived through emergency c-section and is hanging in there so far. He weighs 1 pound, 10 ounces and is just under 13 inches long. The NICU nurses call him "feisty" and even though his lungs aren't developed enough to cry, he kicks his feet in protest when they work on him. He is receiving nourishment and seems to be holding his own. He is at a teaching hospital with an excellent NICU - babies are flown there all the time from surrounding hospitals.

He is already a miracle but would appreciate any and all prayers. He is the first child of my dear, favorite grandson who I half-raised.

cindy-e · #2 03/20/13, 03:28 PM

Praying. 8 to 10 years ago the survival rate for a baby born at 24 wks gestation was 80%. I am sure it has gone up since then. =0) Praying nonetheless, but thought that info might encourage you.

K. FWIW,
Cindyc.

mekasmom · #3 03/20/13, 03:31 PM

I pray that Jesus keeps his hand on your grandbaby, and that he is a testimony of the Lord's providence.

Were they able to give Mom steroids before birth to help develop his lungs?

Piney Woods · #4 03/20/13, 03:42 PM

cindy-e: Before he was born, the doctor told my grandson that the baby had a 50/50 chance of surviving. The NICU nurses want to raise it to 80% now but said they have to wait a few more weeks.

Mekasmom: They did give her steroid shots and also tried to halt her labor (and the delivery) but it didn't work. They had her almost on her head and hoped that they could delay it at least 24 hours to give the steroids time to work, but they had to do a c-section about 6-8 hours later.

I have to say that earlier in her pregnancy my grand-daughter-in-law went to the ER complaining of pain and the doctor screamed at her, embarrassed her and told her to grow up. So when the pains got worse and worse Sunday and Monday, she didn't want to go back to the ER and be screamed at again. Had she gone sooner they might have been able to stop the delivery. Fortunately, it was rush hour so they went to a closer (better) hospital.

The nurses have said that most preemies are very floppy and unresponsive, but he is stretching and kicking. They also have an "artificial umbilical cord" where they are feeding and medicating him. It's amazing what they can do now.

cindy-e · #5 03/20/13, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piney Woods

cindy-e: Before he was born, the doctor told my grandson that the baby had a 50/50 chance of surviving. The NICU nurses want to raise it to 80% now but said they have to wait a few more weeks.

Mekasmom: They did give her steroid shots and also tried to halt her labor (and the delivery) but it didn't work. They had her almost on her head and hoped that they could delay it at least 24 hours to give the steroids time to work, but they had to do a c-section about 6-8 hours later.

I have to say that earlier in her pregnancy my grand-daughter-in-law went to the ER complaining of pain and the doctor screamed at her, embarrassed her and told her to grow up. So when the pains got worse and worse Sunday and Monday, she didn't want to go back to the ER and be screamed at again. Had she gone sooner they might have been able to stop the delivery. Fortunately, it was rush hour so they went to a closer (better) hospital.

The nurses have said that most preemies are very floppy and unresponsive, but he is stretching and kicking. They also have an "artificial umbilical cord" where they are feeding and medicating him. It's amazing what they can do now.

They have to tell you worst case scenario to protect themselves these days unfortunately. so 50/50 is the worst case scenario. 80% would be at a very good hospital, but it was the average where our babies used to go. I worked as a doula with an OB, worked as a Midwife's assistant, worked with another OB in a different office... Survival rate there for 24 weeks gestation was 80%. In any case, your baby has my prayers.

Cindyc.

Joshie · #6 03/20/13, 04:04 PM

There is a listserve called Preemie-l. You might find good info there. Our DD, 15, was born at 22-5/7 weeks. Life in the NICU is scary but it is amazing what they can do.

From your post I gather that your little one isn't vented??? That is a very good and amazing thing.

When DD was little they used her umbilical blood vessels while they lasted, which isn't very long. They don't keep babies on IVs for more than a couple days.

I wouldn't worry about whether or not the steroids had a chance to work. There is a lot of controversy in the preemie world whether they are useful or not. Our DD was born without warning due to a prolapsed cord. I didn't receive steroids and my amniotic sac was completely empty. No e of those things bode well for a baby's lungs but she survived. While her lungs won't ever be normal she hasn't needed any more help than other kids who live with asthma for several years.

Doctors tend to give as grim a picture as possible before birth. I think that might be to lower your expectations. After several days they will have a better idea whether he will survive or not. When DD was born there was a tray in her incubator. The kid wiggled her herself off the tray so you had to keep an eye on her. Sounds like your boy has that same fiesty attitude. Good for the infant, not so much for the teen! Ask me how I know.

Prayers for your little one and your entire family. I can point you to resources should you need them.

Piney Woods · #7 03/20/13, 04:10 PM

Thanks for the prayers and resources. Joshie - yes, he is vented. Wish I could post a picture but don't have any on the internet.

Terri in WV · #8 03/20/13, 04:50 PM

That's very good that he's feisty! So, what's his real name?

Not to be a downer, but problems could arise down the road and it might be best to consider it now. Kind of a "prepare for the worst, hope for the best" kind of thing. A lot of premies never have any problems and catch up at about 1 year. My ds was born at 30 weeks and it wasn't until he was 2 1/2 that he was diagnosed with apraxia. A year later, a slight hearing loss and in kindergarden we started noticing signs of dyslexia and 2nd grade, a severe loss of sight in his right eye. At 10 it was found that he is on the Autism spectrum.

I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers and hope for very bright days ahead.

Piney Woods · #9 03/20/13, 04:55 PM

Real name is Felix. Kind of different, but I can get used to it.

) We are content to have him survive and make progress at this point - however small the progress. The doctors and nurses have been brutally honest about what may lie ahead. We realize with our minds that it can be a bumpy road but know it will be hard if and when the time comes. We appreciate all the prayers.

pamda · #10 03/20/13, 05:15 PM

My nephew waas born at 24 weeks. Less than 1 and a half pounds and not a foot long. It was a long long stretch in NICU, but he is 17 this year. He is concidered a medical marvel and speaks 3 languages. Knews computers inside out and was writing programs in grade school. So, we'll keep praying God has plans..however they work out. Hang in there, Felix and all of his family.

Want to ad, my nephew, Mitchel, is also one of the most considerest, nicest teens I know. His heart is bigger than almost anyone I know.

Tricky Grama · #11 03/20/13, 06:34 PM

Prayers & good thoughts.

Patty

**Terri** · #12 03/20/13, 07:14 PM

Prayers said.

My youngest weighed what your great-grandchild weighs. He was an asthmatic child, he has a moderate hearing loss, and he is spending spring break at a friends house (he is 19).

If I had to sum him up in one word, it would be "ornery".

DebbieLynn · #13 03/20/13, 08:00 PM

Prayers for the whole family and I like the name Felix!

Ravenlost · #14 03/20/13, 08:54 PM

Keeping my fingers crossed for your precious great-grandson. Hang in there little Felix!

wanda1950 · #15 03/20/13, 09:23 PM

Praying.

jamala · #16 03/20/13, 09:28 PM

Praying, my son was born at 24 weeks gestation 1lb 13 oz and lost down to 1lb 9 oz. He is 7 years old now and perfectly healthy. It is a roller coaster ride for everyone in the family and we will be praying for him and all of you. My son came home at 34 weeks gestational age weighing 4lbs 7 oz.

glenn amolenaar · #17 03/21/13, 05:46 AM

Prayers sent

glenn & Linda

HOTW · #18 03/21/13, 08:40 AM

Prayers for little Felix!

My DD had an encounter with a jerk DR liek that and I think your GS should inform his superiors of th eoutcome of that ER visit. At the very leats it might kick him where it counts an dmake him realize he is a DR not a God

JanO · #19 03/21/13, 09:42 AM

Sending prayers. My grandson was also a preemie at 26 weeks. It was a long difficult stretch in the NICU, but he's now 8 years old and an absolute wonder. He had a rough start, but to look at him now you'd never know.

Piney Woods · #20 03/21/13, 12:58 PM

Thank you all so much for the prayers and positive thoughts. They work! Felix had another good day - he is stretching, kicking and moving his arms around. When he hears my grandson, grand-daughter-in-law or my daughter's voices, he perks up and gets excited. His glucose, electrolytes, etc. are all better and stable, his respirator number went up. God is helping this sweet boy. Thank you so much for the prayers.