Have you had a Preemie on an apnea monitor?
I am a new mom to a micro preemie born on 10-13-09 born at 28 weeks 5 days due to severe preeclampsia. She weighed only 820 grams (1lb 13 oz) 12.5 inches long. She has been in the NICU 77 days. She has been through it all. She was sent home on an apnea monitor on Xmas eve and was readmitted to the NICU on Sunday for low heart rates and apneas while home. Has anyone been through this situation? Babies on apnea monitors? The monitor is scary when it alarms, and feedback or advice from anyone? Only serious answers PLEASE! From one parent to another.
2 Responses so far ↓
Mum of twins on Jan 16, 2010 at 8:38 am
Ugh. Yes, I remember those monitors. My boys were born at 34 weeks, spent 3 weeks in the NICU, and then discharged home with apnea monitors. On the one hand, I was relieved. The monitors made me feel safer- especially at night. BUT, on the other hand, carrying two boys and two monitors around during the day was such a pain.
The alarm use to scare the daylights out of me. If it would go off at night, I would jump up and wake up both boys- didn't want to waste time trying to figure out which one it was. Needless to say, then I had two awake (and very unhappy) boys.
We kept the monitors on until they were 3 months old. Toward the end, I was ready to be rid of them. Things do get better though. One day, you'll look back and be amazed at all the things she's accomplished. My boys are now 10.5 months old and it's hard to believe I use to have to force feed them even 1 oz of breast milk (now they're such piggies!)
The NICU is an experience our babies will never remember, and one we will never forget.
curious on Jan 17, 2010 at 8:38 am
My situation is not near as extreme as yours, but I do know how scary it is hearing that thing beep & wondering what is going on. I have a boy (now 7 yrs) who was born at 33 wks, was in the NICU for 1 week & was on monitors for the first few days after he was born. You must be so stressed, worried, & anxious all the time. I know it's scary now, but once she gets bigger/stronger your feelings will very slowly start to settle down & you'll be able to relax a lot more.
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