November Newsletter

                                                   2008

Welcome to the L'il Aussie Prems November Newsletter.

We apologise for the lateness of this months newsletter. Things have been hectic on the forum and for many of our members away from the screen.

In October we had 23 new members join the forum. A big warm welcome is extended to those members and we look forward to reading your introduction. Also don't forget to let us know how you found our premmie community.

We would like to offer congratulations to our prem babies and our members who celebrate their birthday in November. Ethan (33wk),   Hayden (32wk), Janelle, Sam, Alexander, Bec_2ndtimeround, Connor, Liss, Chelsea (31w), Amelia, Zachariah (31w), mimic and everyone else celebrating their birthday this month, happy birthday! 

We have quite a few premmie babies in NICU/SCN at this time. Some of the precious babies have been in care for weeks/months and many have just started their journey. We send all our thoughts and strength to each baby and hope that their journey isn't too difficult. We look forward to hearing about their updates and homecoming.

Congratulations also to all our premmie mummies who are currently pregnant. We hope that your pregnancy is very uneventful. Those close to giving birth well done on reaching full term. To those mums who have given birth in the past month, congratulations.

Don't forget about Premature Birth Awareness Week starting today. Visit www.bornearly.org.au for details.

We hope you all have a great month.

L'il Aussie Prems Team 

                            
                                

In this issue:

* Welcome

* Latest Forum Topics

* Live Chat

* Premmie Competition

* 'Tis The Season

* Premmie Birth Announcements

* Premmie News

* Premmie Of The Month

Our Sponsors

Bellabee Candle Designz
psych~Empower
Cookin’ The Books
The Bub Hub 

 

LATEST FORUM TOPICS


Do you still think about it?


P.I.G list


Activities with your toddler


Teething plus the cold


Where did you get?


Pregnancy update


Members Directory


When did you first feel bubs movements?


Speech and dietician


Question for mums with reacurring
premmie labours


Click here to join the forum

'Tis the Season... 

Having your child in hospital is a stressful experience, and if your baby is in a NICU at a time when traditionally families are at home together, celebrating, it is just that much harder to deal with. Knowing how much parents appreciate the keepsakes they receive during their stay, a growing number of L'il Aussie Prems mums have been using their creative and organisational talents to try and bring a little joy to some of the many families who will spend this festive season beside an isolette or hospital cot, worrying about their premature baby.

Here are just a few of our inspirational community:

Mandii has been making festive little “My first Christmas” cards, with space for parents to attach a photo of their precious little bundle. These can later be placed in a memory box or scrapbook.

Karen has been sewing tiny gowns out of gorgeous fabrics and posting them around Australia, brightening NICUS everywhere. See more photos on her blog.

Jodie has been putting together Christmas goodie bags for her NICU, containing items donated by companies she has contacted, and gifts made or donated by her many friends.

If you’re thinking about making or organising something special for the babies, parents or staff at your NICU, please feel free to post about it on the forum. You will always find someone to encourage you and offer suggestions, and maybe you can team up with someone to gently touch the life of another premmie parent this festive season.

PREMMIE NEWS

Below are the latest articles making headlines regarding premature babies and families from around the world. 
 
Hurrican technology predicts premature baby blow-ins

Making a difference to premature babies

Premature baby is his father's idol

Report urges states to tackle preterm birth crisis

Bubble wrap saves 23 week old premature babies life

Premature baby makes first trip home

Human Breastmilk Bank In VIC


Volunteers sought to cuddle premature babies

PREMMIE OF THE MONTH - NOVEMBER

Charlotte & her mum Lou

Where was CC born?
In Bielefeld, Germany on 15th December 2005

What was her gestation?
32 + 0 weeks due to PPROM. My waters went at 31 +2, and I held off 5 days before an infection kicked in.
And her birth weight?
1.65kg, or 3lb 10oz

What do you remember most about CC's time in hospital?
Getting married 2 days later in the hospital chapel. Our wedding was always planned, CC's early arrival wasn't, so there was a lot of reorganising done, and I got married in a wheelchair. It made it very special though!

Does she have any ongoing health issues?
Not related to her prematurity. She is asthmatic, but never had CLD, so we presume it is just one of those things. Her speech was delayed at the 2 year mark, but has caught up remarkably in the last 6 months.

What has been your proudest moment since she came home?
Because she was born in Germany we didn't get to introduce her to family members (especially grandparents) for a very long time. So our first trip back to England and then Australia, when we finally got to show off our little girl!

What is your top tip for other mothers of premmie babies?
Don't compare. Its the hardest thing to stop yourself from doing. But all prems are different, so even the same gestational age babies will have different development graphs. Your baby is unique, so just focus on the positives and don't compare to what other babies are doing.