Premature Arrival

Hi all,

Announcing the arrival of Emily, born at 28 weeks on 17th September weighing 2lb 12.5oz. She is currently in SCBU in Bristol and doing ok.

I was admitted to hospital after having horrendous tummy pains. Turns out that my appendix had burst and become infected. They had no option but to operate.

I was given medication to try to prevent labour but just 4 hours after my operation to remove the appendix, labour began. Emily was born in around 30 mins, stabilised and whisked off to special care. She had a rough first night so they transferred her from Swindon to a more specialised unit in Bristol.

I wasn't able to go with her as had to be admitted to intensive care with a suspected clot on my lung (thankfully after a million tests and scans it proved to be a false alarm).

She is now 11 days old and we are hopeful. She is off her ventilator and on CPAP for the time being. They are feeding her 2mls every 2 hours. She has had a bleed on her brain but only a small one so they are keeping a close eye on that. I'm going to see her tomorrow for the first time in 10 days so will update.

We are hoping she will be well enough to be transferred back to our local hospital soon!

It's all very surreal at the moment.
Love
Hayley xx

Oh Hayley

Many congratulations on the birth of Emily - but I am so so sorry it is under such difficult circumstances
It sounds like she was a good weight for 28 weeks and now she's on CPAP really hope she settles on it ok and the rest of ride through SCBU is a smooth one.

I really hope you heal quickly too, and are able to spend lots of time with your beautiful little lady soon & lots of kangaroo cuddles. I hope Oliver is doing ok too with you being in hospital, it must be so hard for you all.

Thinking of you 4 lots and sending loads of positive vibes to Emily. SCBU is one hell of a rollercoaster so my heart goes out to you, especially with everything you've already been through- huge hugs sweetheart ((((( )))))

Love Annika xxx

Hi Hayley

WOW everything happening like that so fast as well.

But Huge Congratulations on the safe arrival of your daughter Emily glad she is doing well a good weight to.

I hope everything goes alright with her and I can imagine how surreal it all must be, I do hope that she can be transferred nearer to you you must miss her so much. I am glad it was a false alarm over your blood clot that must have been realy scary,

You take care and I am sure you will keep us all posted as to how Emily is doing

Ingrid xx

Oh Hayley, my heart missed a beat when I read the title of your message.

You have been through so much already. I hope and pray that little Emily stays strong.

Sending you tons of love.
Caroline xxxx

Huge good wishes to you all, Hayley - your family is in my thoughts. I'll especially be holding Emily in the light, and wishing her a speedy release from SCBU. She's a good weight, too! Wishing you better, too - you need your strength.
Lots and lots of love
Laurie

Oh Hayley, I had to do a double and triple take to see who had posted the message. Poor you, poor Simon, poor Oliver. It sounds like Emily is doing very well under the circumstances, I am praying that she goes from strength to strength.

I live fairly close to Bristol, and work in Bristol so if there is ANYTHING that I can do to help, please let me know. SCBU is tough enough when you don't have another one at home to take care of.

Stay strong, let everyone look after you, I will PM you my number so that you can contact me if you need anything.

Huge hugs,

Nicki

Congratulations on the birth of Emily. What a traumatic time it must've been for you and your family. I hope that you are recovering and that Emily will continue to improve and have a smooth scbu journey.
Sending you lots of love and strength to cope with the coming weeks.

Congratulations on the birth of your little princess Emily!

I'm so sorry to hear you have had such a tough time of things. Sending all my love to all of you. Wishing Emily lots of love and strength for her journey through SCBU. xx

Hi Hayley, Simon & Oliver

Huge congratulations on the arrival of you darling little girl.
I hope she is at home with you all soon, continuing to do well and exactly where she belongs.

Have also PMd you!

Warmest Wishes
Liz

Hayley I'm so sorry things happened the way they did but many many congratulations on the birth of your daughter.
You were obviously cooking her very well as that's a fantastic weight for 28 weeks. I really hope she continues to fight & that she will be home with you in the not too distant future.
I hope you're not too sore from the op & too shocked from the speed of how quickly it all happened.
Big big hugs to you & your family & a big kiss to Emily when you see her
Lots of love
xxx

Hi Hayley

Congratulations on the arrival of Emily, so sorry its all been so traumatic for you all. Wishing you all the best and hoping you will all be home together soon.

loads of love and big hugs emma xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Hayley, congratulations on the arrival of Emily. I hope she has a speedy journey through SCBU and is home with you, your husband and Oliver very soon.

x

Hi Hayley

Congratulations on the birth of Emily, what a brilliant weight for 28 weeks! I am just so sorry that you have and are all having such a terrible time. My thoughts are with you all and I hope that Emily is doing well and that you are recovering ok now.
xxx

Thanks Everyone,

Nicki, I've PM'd you back xx

Liz, I didn't get your PM

Well, the rollercoaster has begun. After doing well, Emily was transferred back to Swindon on Wednesday. However, they are now talking about having to transfer her back to Bristol again

She has now had 3 lumbar punctures to drain excess fluid from her head. Apparently 3 is the maximum they like to do before they look at putting a resevoir under the skin in her head. They are able then to drain more easily and with less risk of infection. I know it's for the best but I hate to think of her going through it.

On the positive side, she is now almost up to full feeds of 9 mls every hour, they are able to take her off CPAP for a number of hours at a time and are talking of weaning her off it all together. And despite the lumbar punctures she remains infection free.

We just have to hope that the fluid issue resolves itself and she can come home to Swindon permanently. Maybe then the constant feeling of dread will subside. We feel totally torn as we are trying desperatley to keep things at hie normal for Oliver but at the same time be at the hospital as much as we can.

Shall update again soon.
Hayley xx

Hayley
Thanks for the update. We are all praying for you and your family.
love to you all
xxL

Hi Hayley,

Thanks for the update - I will PM you again.

Warmest Wishes to you all,
Liz

Hi Hayley,

Thanks for the update. I have been thinking about you a lot.

Emily sounds such a brave little girl. I hope she keeps on fighting.

Lots of love
Caroline xxxx

Hi Hayley
So pleased for you that Emily is doing so well with feeding & weaning off the CPAP, but so sorry to hear about the fluid. If she does have to have the shunt inserted I hope it all goes well.
Hope you're looking after yourself too - you've been through so much.
Big hugs to you & the rest of the family
xxx