Hard 1st week :-(

[Holi]

I'm a first time mum and crazy in love with my daughter! Gave birth to her on Monday so she is 4 days old.

I'm finding all these tests quite difficult/upsetting.

First the hearing test - they could only do one ear, which I heard is quite common, they think due to fluid in her ear. Need to go back for another test - so queue me panicking thinking she might have a problem with one ear.

Second we are told she has mild foot displacement from the way she was positioned in womb - had to see specialist to be shown some stretches for her, review in 6 weeks. Again, nothing too serious

Then after first midwife app we are sent back in for jaundice. Ha a heal prick (that was awful) and she was thankfully under treatment level so were sent home.

Now I am constantly on edge, I feel very emotional, like everyone is telling me my perfect little girl isn't 'quite' perfect.

Anyone been through these little set backs and it all be ok?

Sorry I know these are all trivial but it's really playing on my mind

Xxxx

 

[Jmc89]

Aww I know how you feel we also could only get one ear she came back though and tried the other and everything was fine! My LO also had jaundice however had to get treatment so were stuck in hosp for 4 nights numerous heel prick tests & having him under the light all day with wee goggles on! Only allowed to take him out to feed! I cried so much! However he is now 12 weeks old and a happy bouncing baby!! The first few weeks are tough with all these tests and HV & midwives coming out to check everything! Once you get that by you can then concentrate on just your LO!

xxx

 

[Holi]

Jmc89 - thanks so much for your response! I no I'm being a little over dramatic/panicky, it's just hard not to be when you love someone so much as you just want them to be happy/healthy!

With regards to the jaundice - at first I was happy we got sent home, now I'm constantly worrying if its getting worse and in a way, wish we had stayed in to get it sorted sharpish! Do you have any home remedies to help or any signs to look out for if its getting a worse?? Xx

 

[clairebear22]

My youngest failed his hearing test 3 times!! He has teeny tiny ear canals so the plug thingys couldn't fit in his ears so the lady tried a more sensitive test where she stuck pads to his forehead and the back of his neck. His left ear passed but the right failed. He flinched at noises so i knew he had some hearing at least. We were sent to have a very indepth hearing test with electrodes and ear plugs. His right ear passed that time but his left failed on the lowest level which is basically a whisper (not bothered tbh) so he has to go back at 6 months. He can hear just fine so i'm not worried x

 

[rheannymac]

It really is so difficult sometimes isn't it.
Harry had to go back for a repeat hearing test as they could only get one done first time. Like you, they put it down to fluid in his ear because he was only a few hours old (that, and the fact he started screaming when they were doing the second ear lol)
I don't have any experience with jaundice so I can't offer any advice or anything with that.
Please try not to worry too much, although we all know that's easier said than done! Your wee girl is perfect, you know that
You know us ladies are all here if you ever need us too. Big hugs xxx

 

[Holi]

I just never expected it to be this emotional and that I would worry so much. All you do in pregnancy is worry about getting them here, but I'm coming to realise that's the worrying starts now!!! X

 

[laurat]

Oh honey, 4 days in an you will be emotional. I found all the tests a bit steessful especially when they chose to do them all when my husband wasnt there. Its easy to say but try not to worrry too much. Enjoy looking at your wee ones cute face at the moment! Xxx

 

[babybee]

Our little girl was in nicu after needing a blood transfusion. That went well but we were in hospital for just over a week as there were so many niggly set backs: larger than average liver (that turned out ok) too much calcium in blood (that was ok in end) an odd infection (that turned out to be nothing) 12% birth weight loss (she gained that back super quick) suspect jaundice (that turned out ok) too much sodium in blood (next day was fine).
Eventually all tests were clear and we got to take our little cherub home. She's been thriving ever since. We had an 8 week check up and all was fine and we've got her 6 month check up next Friday so hopefully all will be good then.

Noone tells you about all these set backs before. I like to think it makes us even better mums. Stay strong chick, you'll get through it and it won't be something you'll remember much of as she develops and thrives! Xxx

 

[Jmc89]

I know it is horrible they are just so helpless looking and you want the best for them!! Try not to worry too much jaundice is soo common in babies! HV advice was to keep their moses basket by the window as plenty of sunlight helps...also good feeds as that helps get the excess bilirubin out their system! Even after the treatment it took a good couple of weeks before we noticed our LOs colour getting back to normal! Just keep an eye on her and the whites of her eyes! Sounds like she will be absolutely fine though so try your hardest not to worry...easier said than done I know! x

 

[Emmaw_9]

4 days in you are bound to be emotional!
I can only comment on the jaundice, we had 5 heel prick tests and blood taken in 3 weeks (due to the jaundice and dehydration) and it really traumatised me (one of them she couldn't get blood and had to then prick the other foot)
He was a December baby so we just had to put him near the window and let him get light.
And I just want to say of course your little girl is perfect, as is every child. She is yours and there's no better feeling (when you overcome the emotions!) than being a mother!
Good luck and it will all be fine in the end!

 

[tweetyfoo]

I hear you, its so emotionally draining.

Aaron was diagnosed with Down Syndrome when he was minutes old.

He had severe jaundice, and problems with his blood sugars so was getting heel pricks every three hours and had 2 days of photo therapy. He then had the "big blood test" to confirm DS (blood tests in babies are horrific and I wasn't allowed to be with him.

36 hours after getting home we discovered he had 2 x holes in his heart and his lungs weren't working properly. He was admitted to hospital and put on oxygen. He was having blood tests twice a day, and I didn't get to properly cuddle him for a long time.

We stayed in hospital for 4 weeks, then came home with portable oxygen, which he had till 11 weeks.

Since then he's been in hospital several times due to being unwell and has since been diagnosed with West Syndrome (infant epilepsy) and had another set of rigorous tests.

My point is, we are here, he is an amazing little boy (we call him superbaby), he is a fighter, and I am stonger for knowing him.

"You don't know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have"

The truth is, the hospital days are a bit blurry - you soon forget the bad bits and just enjoy your baby.

 

[Holi]

Thanks so much to you all for sharing your personal experiences, it's really helped me chill a bit! Especially as your all doing such fantastic jobs and your LO's are doing so well since!

Lying here with her face in my boob as she makes little squeaks as she sleeps, I could burst with how much I love her! She's going to make me worry for the rest of my life, but suppose that's being a mummy!

Xxx

 

[babybee]

I'm in bed worrying a burglar's going to come in and kidnap her. I think worrying is part of the package now

 

[littlemonkey]

Aw Holi! I feel for you so much! Worrying all the time about something is now part of your role as a mum and you will do it everyday for the rest of your life! I remember getting upset talking to my parents about my son (I don't even remember what I was worried about though?!) and my parents both said it doesn't change one little bit! Cos even when they're 30 odd years old you worry about them turning up and being upset and worried about their own kids!

Regardless of what is going on with your girl right now, she still is and always will be your perfect little girl. I look at my son so many times and think to myself he is the total opposite to how I thought he would be when I was pregnant. But it is all in a good way and I wouldn't change him for the world! What you will learn very quickly is that despite what a lot of health professionals think, babies are people not robots and not all babies fit the mould.