San Francisco Parents of Multiples SFPOM General Discussion 8/27/2015 9:16 am - 8/28/2015
1. Comment: How to survive the NICU with a toddler at home (cld2011)
2. Comment: Paediatrician (tomandmariawed)
3. Re: [sfpom_general] Paediatrician (marthafulmer)
Topic: How to survive the NICU with a toddler at home
Hi Team,
I am 28 weeks with identical boys, one with significant
growth restriction...
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1. cld2011 says...
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8/27/2015 12:08 pm
I am hoping someone with earlier preemies jumps in with
their perspective as well, but, fwiw, my identical
girls were born at 34 weeks 2 days, and spent 3 weeks
in the ICN at UCSF. My elder son was 3 years 3 months
when they were born. I had pre-eclampsia and was
admitted to the hospital at 33 weeks 3 days, and was
given steroids -- being able to get the steroids seemed
to help a lot with their lung development. Though it's
significance hadn't been picked up in ultrasounds,
there was a growth disparity between my girls (5 lbs 2
oz and 4 lbs) -- the smaller one was tiny but mighty
and only in the hospital 2 days longer than her sister.
During the our ICN stay, we had family in town for a
couple of weeks. I would suggest that, if you can
swing it, as it would help you guys be free to get back
and forth to hospital when you want/need to, and have
more continuity/support for your toddler. For the most
part, I fell into a schedule where I went to the
hospital first thing, left in time to be home for
dinner with toddler, and returned again the next day.
Toddler was in part time preschool and a nanny share,
so we kept him in his normal routine. We brought him
in to visit his sisters the day after they were born,
and then on the weekends. His patience for that was
pretty limited -- generally about 30 min (not a ton to
do in ICN -- though if you are at UCSF, there is now a
lovely park out in front; at the time there was
construction there, so one of us would take him out to
go look at the construction site. He also got a big
kick out of eating in the hospital cafeteria. Overall,
he has a positive impression of the place, as he will
ask to go back to visit the hospital/is disappointed
his ped appointments aren't there). I would also enlist
the help of the hospital social workers (I think every
hospital has one/some). They can help you with
navigating issues, get you support as necessary. At
UCSF, I believe they will give you credits to use at
the cafeteria. (Note: no food allowed in ICN). They
have pumps in the ICN. Again, at UCSF, if that is
where you are at, you can also room in (they have fold
out couch things in the rooms). I never did it, but
they looked decently comfortable. Keep in mind it is a
marathon, not a sprint, and do lean on everyone you can
for help. The ICN can be very taxing (I was always
exhausted after I left there). So be sure to take care
of yourself too - go home early one day to give
yourself a break as necessary etc. Remember you are
recovering too and your kids will all benefit from a
more rejuvenated mama. Again, hard to remember in the
moment, but I wish I had focused on that a little more.
We found the ICN staff to be amazing and so supportive.
The nurses and doctors are all there to help your kids
and to help you and they are always happy to answer
questions, so ask for whatever information you need.
If they haven't already arranged for you to tour the
ICN, you may want to do that (I never got the chance
beforehand, but they did offer it). Definitely ask to
talk to a neonatologist and have them walk you through
what general expectations are for a 29 weeker, 30
weeker, 31 weeker etc. At least from my perspective, I
found talking to the neonatologist (prior to my girls
birth) to be extremely helpful. They can also give you
a ballpark of how long they would expect your kids to
be in the ICN. We were told to expect they would be in
till around their original date for being full term (37
weeks) and that was just about right. Good luck!
Sending you good thoughts!
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Topic: Paediatrician
Hello Everyone,
I am a FTM 28 pregnant with twin girls and I am trying to
prepare...
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With subject line: "Ref#93772484 - Paediatrician"
2. tomandmariawed says...
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8/27/2015 11:59 am
Hey any suggestions for any paediatrician in general
would be fantastic xxx
Email author: tomandmariawed@gmail.com
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3. marthafulmer says...
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8/27/2015 12:25 pm
My sons still see Dr. William Solomon, 45 Castro
Street, when needing a doctor. He has lots of
patience which was needed when my boys were growing up.
Martha
Email author: marthafulmer@pacbell.net
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