prem baby question

glenburg1

Please please do send a card, we had a little one born at 29 weeks and the hardest thing is people not acknowledging her.

jackyann

I have been in this position twice. I agree with Mamamoo, send a blank card in which you send your best wishes, and say that baby & family are in your thoughts or prayers.
A small gift such as those suggested is very appropriate.
I remember my very strong feelings, 35 years ago when my friend's baby was born, before the age of viability, but alive and strong.
I had started a quilt for her, I went to see my friend, then came back and finished the quilt - I said "it is for *baby* - whatever happens". That little girl still has the quilt because she was strong and did very well.
The other baby, born a few years later, did not survive, and my letter full of wishes & hopes did not arrive until after her death (they lived abroad) but I know it was welcomed.
And, as parents will be spending a lot of time at the hospital, do make casseroles, nourishing snacks etc. If you are part of a circle of friends, get up a rota. When mum is strong enough, think about driving her home for a shower & change of clothes or similar.
Good luck, my thoughts are with you.

Maryinside

I'm pregnant and I'll give birth to my future baby soon , I have the same dilemma...

jumpingjackd

My daughter has had two prem babies. I felt and still do that the first was never acknowledged, no cards, balloons or anything that most new mothers receive to announce babys arrival. Send a card to say you are thinking of them, it will be appreciated

time2deal

On a practical note, when my boy was in NICU we weren't allowed to bring in any toys that were not sterilised, so nothing made with fabric. We brought in a plastic toy and they put it in the steriliser every few days.

But totally you should send the card.

cr1mson

When my friend had prem twins we sent a card and also a polaroid camera (our old one) with film so they could take photos and get them instantly.

clairec79

Please send them a congratulations card if you would have had they had a full term baby, they have still become parents just because their baby is still in hospital.
If the worst does happen then those cards are one of the few 'proof' that their baby existed and mattered to other people

clairec79

A fab charity is Pop N Grow - if you give the details on their site (name of mum, baby and which NICU the baby is in and weight of the baby) they will send a outfit in the right size which can accomodate drips etc

supersaver2

Absolutely send a card! My daughter was a 23 weeker, in hospital for 6 months. We received few cards, but not many and not so much me, but certainly my wife was upset that our group of friends didn't seem to 'celebrate' the birth of our baby. Also it is always nice to do something special when they come home from hospital, after 6 months in hospital it was a major celebration to bring her home, yet for most of our family and friends it was old news.

heuchera

After hunting around this morning I eventually found a suitable blank card with a baby-like picture on the front of it, so I was able to write my own message.

I also bought a tiny soft toy.

It's a worrying time, and none of us wants to put our foot in it by doing the wrong thing, but it felt mean not getting anything.

supersaver2, 23 weeks, wow. I know this will sound so clicheed, but it really IS amazing what medicine can do now.