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Expect to be feel physically and emotionally strained in the days and weeks
following your baby's birth, especially if you were on extended bedrest toward
the end of your pregnancy. As a preemie mom, you will probably find yourself
focusing entirely on your baby, and it is easy to forget to rest, eat, and stay
hydrated. Making a special effort to take care of yourself and get adequate
nourishment, sleep, and water or other liquids will help maintain your energy
so you can fully participate in your baby's care.
During your first week after the birth, depending on what country you live in
and how you delivered your baby, you may remain at the hospital for a few days
to a week or more. It may be emotionally difficult to spend your recovery in
the postpartum unit of the hospital, particularly if you have a roommate and
your hospital has a rooming-in policy. Consider requesting to spend your postpartum
recovery in the area of the hospital for women recovering from gynecological
surgeries instead.
If you are discharged from the hospital before your baby is ready to go home,
you may find it very hard to leave without him or her. Plan to bring a photo
of your baby, one of his or her blankets, or something special that belongs
to your baby when you are discharged so you don't have to leave empty-handed.
After you are discharged from the hospital, you will probably be returning
often to visit your baby in the NICU. You are unlikely to be allowed to sleep
in the NICU with your baby, however some NICUs have a room where you can stay
overnight in certain circumstances. Many hospitals all over the world have a
nearby Ronald McDonald house where parents of critically ill children
can stay for a nominal fee (US$5 to $25). If you know you or your partner or
spouse will need temporary housing after your baby is born, ask your case manager
or social worker to help arrange lodging for you.
- If you were on bedrest for several weeks before your delivered, you
may feel weak, dizzy, or nauseated when you first begin to move around again.
Drink lots of fluids and rest often to replenish your strength. Also,
take short walks, either within the hospital or
outside, as your strength and body permits. For example, one PROM preemie
mother would take the stairs up to the NICU at least once a day to help rebuild
her strength. Another PROM preemie mother pushed a wheelchair from her room
to the NICU which made it easier to walk, and allowed her to sit down and
wheel herself if she got tired. Walking will help you regain strength in your
muscles and will reduce the risk for a blood clot.
- Keep your feet elevated when sitting or lying down, to help prevent
or reduce painful swelling in your feet and ankles.
- Continue taking prenatal vitamins, as well as any medications or supplements
ordered by your health care practitioner.
- Schedule a postpartum followup appointment with the health care practitioner
who cared for you during your pregnancy six weeks after you delivered. Make
sure to contact your practitioner sooner if you do not feel that you are recovering
as you should.
- Ask your health care practitioner to give you a list of the warning signs
of infection, and alert your practitioner immediately if you experience
symptoms of infection.
- If you are planning to feed your baby breast milk, drink lots of water to
help increase milk supply and expect to pump every 2 to 3 hours. The
lactation consultant will help you if you have questions or experience problems,
and will tell you how to store the breast milk until your baby is ready to
use it. If you plan to pump long term, you may want to invest in a quality
electric pump. Some insurance companies will cover the cost of the pump if
your neonatologist writes a letter stating that it is a medical necessity.
Most NICUs have a breastfeeding or pumping room.
- You may experience postpartum depression as early as the first week
after your baby is born (a self-assessment and checklist of some of the symptoms
of postpartum depression is available at http://www.pndsa.co.za/ms-fc.htm).
If you believe that you are suffering from postpartum depression, talk with
your health care practitioner immediately regarding treatment options or referral
to a mental health care specialist.
- Many NICU and PROM parents also experience post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) during or after their babies' NICU stay. PTSD is distinct from postpartum
depression and can involve flashbacks, nightmares, obsessive behavior, and
panic attacks. If you believe that you are suffering from PTSD, talk with
your health care practitioner immediately regarding treatment options or referral
to a mental health care specialist.
- If you had a multiple pregnancy and not all of your babies survived,
you will also be grieving for the baby or babies you lost. Your social worker
or case manager can refer you and your partner or spouse to perinatal loss
support groups and resources in your area. There are some resources for coping
with loss in multiple birth in the Resources section of this article,
as well as a list of grief resources in the "Preparing
for a Perinatal Loss" article on the PROM website.
- In addition to your NICU written log, try keeping a daily diary or
journal. Studies have shown that journaling is a strong coping mechanism and
helps reduce stress in NICU parents. You can journal in any way that makes
it easy for you to record your thoughts and feelings: writing in a book, typing
on your computer, or even sharing your thoughts online. In addition to helping
you working through your feelings about what is happening with your baby,
your journal may also be useful in identifying and managing any grief or sadness
you might feel about your pregnancy and birth experience.
Next page >> Article by Jodi Donnelly, Mommy to Anthony PROM @ 16
weeks, born in 2004 @ 31.5 weeks, 41 days in NICU and now thriving
and Kay Squires, september 2005
Special thanks to Inkan, Jen, Jody, Lise, Sonya, Valerie, Beth and the members
of the PROM list
© 1998-2024 Inkan, The PROM Page
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