NICU Levels

I thought this was very interesting... in case anyone is looking for a chart on how the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) grades their NICUs:

I just can't respond...

I belong to a message board for women due at the same time as me - September. Earlier this week, unfortunately, a mom gave birth to a little girl at 24 weeks. I can't imagine being in her shoes and my heart really goes out to her, she will have a long/hard road in the NICU and beyond.

I can't respond to the messages of support - I feel badly about not being able to reach out to her but the majority of the other posts are "my cousins friends sisters finance's brother's wife had a little girl at 23 weeks last year - she's 12 months now and TOTALLY PERFECT! No problems at all!" (really, at a year old you can say that?) or "My sister and I were born at 29 weeks 30 years ago and we're totally fine now" (Can you really compare 29 weeks to 24 weeks?), and the most hurtful "Preemie's do so well now - they just need time to grow outside for a while and she'll be just fine!"... ya, that's what my daughter NEEDED... she needed to be outside of me in order to grow.

So how do I respond with "I'm very sorry you are in this position - your NICU rollercoaster will be very hard and you can expect lots of ups and downs. You'll have a big learning curve but don't underestimate how well your daughter can do or even if she falls in with the normal course of a 24 weeker and has trouble for a while. I wish you the best and feel free to email me if you want to talk"... I did and immediately got pelted with all sorts of messages from others saying I was being too negative blah blah blah.

It's amazing how prematurity wears such rose colored glasses to the general public... well, no its not really amazing in a good way.

Seeing pictures of her little girl - with a preemie diaper up to her armpits despite an umbilical line - make me so sad for all preemies. Who's life needs to start being poked, prodded and having a tube shoved down your throat? I cried seeing her pictures. I'm so very scared of putting another baby through that but its practically out of my control and thats even more scary.

Relaxation Techniques during pregnancy

Relaxing during pregnancy is important. Research has shown that stress can increase the likelihood that you will have a premature birth. Personally I try to have some amount of time during the day that is dedicated to stress relief. This is something I did not do in my first pregnancy.

Pregnancy can be a stressful time. Your body is going through major changes you’re supporting a tiny growing baby inside you and you’re thwarted by all sorts of pregnancy side-effects, like morning sickness and aching legs. If you’re trying to cope with working, looking after the rest of your family and keeping up with your usual routine, it can all get too much at times.

But it’s important to take time out for yourself and relax and both you and your baby will benefit. Research shows that if you’re regularly stressed, anxious and tense during your pregnancy, you’ve got a greater chance of having a baby that also suffers from stress and anxiety. So if you need some inspiration as to how to relax, here are some helpful tips!

1. Put your feet up. Aching legs and ankles are a common problem in pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, so give yourself regular breaks and take the pressure of your feet. Sit in a comfy chair with your feet on a footstool or propped up on cushions, lie on the sofa or lie on your bed – whatever is comfortable for you. If your ankles are swelling, stack several cushions together to raise your feet up higher, as this helps reduce swelling.

2. Listen to calming music. Take time out from the madness of life and whisk yourself away to a calmer place, with the help of some relaxing music. Choose one of your favourites or treat yourself to a special pregnancy relaxation CD. Sit back, close your eyes and let the music wash over and relax you.

3. Have a massage. Massage is great for easing tension and relaxing the muscles. Rope your partner in to give you a massage or book a treatment with a specialist (many places offer special treatments for pregnant women).

4. Try a reflexology treatment. Reflexology is a natural therapy that believes your feet are in a sense a ‘map of your body.’ A reflexologist will clear blockages and ease ailments by putting a small amount of pressure on your feet – it’s a bit like a foot massage. It can be very relaxing, can relieve tension and help any pregnancy ailments you’re suffering from. (but get someone who is trained in this and has pregnancy experience as some reflexology can actual start labor in a more advanced pregnancy)

5. Have a go at antenatal yoga. Yoga designed for pregnancy can help tone up your body, but most classes also teach special relaxation tips too. These can help relieve any stress you’re experiencing during pregnancy, as well as ease worry about the birth itself. Ask you midwife for antenatal yoga class recommendations.

6. Try meditation or visualisation. Relaxing your mind is just as important as relaxing your body, but it can be hard to do. Meditation or visualisation could help and there are lots of CDs and classes available that teach it especially with pregnancy in mind.

7. Have a laugh. Laughter is a great form of natural – and free – therapy. Meet up with your friends, or watch your favourite comedy or film and have a good laugh. Your baby will pick up on the feel-good factor too.

8. Get some fresh air and sunshine. It’s good to get fresh air and sunshine when you can and can be a good pick-me-up if you’ve been inside all day. Have a stroll around your neighbourhood, walk to the park or even walk around the shops, breathe in the fresh air and relax.

9. Enjoy a night out with your partner. Spend some time unwinding and relaxing together – especially if it’s your first baby, as life will change when it arrives. Have a lovely meal, go to the theatre or indulge in your favourite pastime.

10. Enjoy water. Water is another form of natural healer. Swimming is ideal during pregnancy, as the water is supportive, and it’s not too exhausting. If you fancy a class, most places offer antenatal swimming sessions, but if a swimming pool isn’t your cup of tea, enjoy a nice long soak in the bath instead.

And finally, enjoy the course of your pregnancy. The nine months will fly by and a new baby will soon be part of your life.

Dizziness in Pregnancy

Dizziness in Pregnancy

Dizziness or feeling faint is a normal symptom during pregnancy. It is more common in the first trimester, but it may also be prevalent throughout your pregnancy.

What causes dizziness during pregnancy?

The main cause of dizziness in pregnancy is due to the rising hormones that cause your blood vessels to relax and widen. This helps increase the blood flow to your baby, but it slows the return of the blood in the veins to you. This causes your blood pressure to be lower than usual, which can reduce the blood flow to your brain, temporarily causing dizziness.

Dizziness is also caused by low blood sugar levels that may occur as your body adapts to changes in your metabolism. Women who are anemic or who have varicose veins may be more susceptible to dizziness than others.

During the second trimester, diziness may be caused because your growing uterus puts pressure on blood vessels.

Dizziness may also occur later in your pregnancy if you lie on your back, allowing the weight of the baby to press on your vena cava (a large vein that carries blood from your lower body to your heart).

What remedies exist to prevent dizziness during pregnancy?

There are a number of things you can do to reduce the amount of dizziness you may experience. Here are some helpful suggestions to reduce dizziness during pregnancy:

• Avoid standing for long periods. If you must stand, make sure that you keep your feet moving to help increase circulation
• Get up slowly from either sitting or lying down (This is very important when you are getting out of the bath)
• Eat regularly. Avoid long periods between meals; it is better to snack throughout the day
• Avoid hot baths or showers
• Avoid lying on your back once you reach the middle of your second trimester
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing to avoid restricting circulation

What do I do if I feel faint during pregnancy?

There are a few things you can do to help relieve the feeling that you are going to faint. It is common to faint during pregnancy, so be cautious. Here are some helpful suggestions:

• Avoid getting up quickly from sitting or lying down positions. This is a common reason for dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting.
• If you feel faint, try the following things:

1. sit or lie down and lower your head
2. take deep breaths
3. loosen any tight clothing
4. open windows and move towards circulating air
5. eat foods rich in iron
   

When to contact your health care provider because of dizziness during pregnancy:

You should contact your health care provider immediately if your dizziness is accompanied by vaginal bleeding and/or pain in your abdomen. This could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, a low-lying placenta, or placental abruption.

You should also contact your health care provider immediately if you have persistent dizziness or dizziness accompanied by blurred vision, headaches, or palpitations; this may be a symptom of severe anemia or some other illness that could have a negative effect on your pregnancy.