Here are some things that some of us discovered from the momo journey… hope this helps you financially, emotionally, and medically! We are by no means experts, just a group of moms that has went through the momo journey. We are not medical professionals or social workers ~ Always seek your medical expert's and social worker's advice before doing anything!
1. If your babies are in the NICU over 30 days or below a certain weight they may qualify for Medicaid ~check with your Social Worker.
2. You don't have to have a Hep-lock (IV) in the whole time you are inpatient (for the most part). Ask your doctor to write an order stating that. You may not even have to get blood drawn every 3 days. Again, check with your doctor. If you do have to have a Hep-lock (IV) in then consider getting a PICC line instead so you don’t have to have the Hep-lock changed every 3 days.
3. Ask to see if you can have a "day pass" to leave the hospital for a few hours. Or at least ask to get out for a little bit of time each day (to walk or go to eat).
4. You may qualify for Medicaid while pregnant. Once you go inpatient your household earning may decrease if you were previously working. You may qualify for Medicaid and it could cover anything your primary insurance does not.
5. If your babies don’t qualify for Medicaid or other state benefits they may qualify for WIC. Work with your Social Worker on this as well.
6. You are your own and your babies best advocate. You need to have a say in when you go inpatient and when you deliver. Research and contact other momo moms for advice and then fight for what you think is right for you and your family!!!
7. Anything your nurses do or make you do that you don't like or don't want to do, talk to your doctor. He can write an order and then the nurses have to follow doctor's orders. If your nurses don’t seem to be informed about momo protocols help to educate them and if possible show them a cord photo from delivery to show them the severity of the pregnancy and why you are there for monitoring.
8. AFLAC may be a great insurance (supplemental insurance) to have for the pregnancy and for the babies. Some people have been extremely satisfied with AFLAC. You may have to get it early in the pregnancy or AFLAC may not take you on. It is also possible the only real way AFLAC would cover a momo or any other high risk pregnancy is to have had it before you ever got pregnant. They cover "routine" pregnancies so unfortunately it may be too late to get AFLAC once you find out you have momos.
9. Consider hiring a professional photographer to capture those newborn moments in the NICU. Or have one scheduled right around the due date to get those adorable twin newborn pics.
10. In some states if you apply for Social Security benefits while your child is in the NICU, you automatically qualify because they can't check your financial accounts.
11. If you have to pay for parking at the hospital check with your Social Worker if you can get discounted or free parking.
12. Check with your Social Worker or nurses to see if your NICU has meal tickets that you can use ~ some offer free meals in the cafeteria and some offer a set daily amount.
13. Visit the NICU while pregnant so you know a bit what to expect. Also consider getting a book on preemies since you know you will have preemies. (check out our resources page for a few recommendations; here’s a link to a book to start with: http://www.amazon.com/Preemie-Parents-Companion-Essential-Premature/dp/1558321349)
14. Consider receiving counseling from the hospital’s psychologist to prepare for inpatient and NICU journey.
15. Meet the Social Worker for the Fetal Treatment Team/Neonatal Ward prior to going inpatient (can schedule a NICU tour or meeting with hospital psychologist too). Your Social Worker can become your best friend and advocate while inpatient and while in the NICU.
16. Every baby is different!!! Schedules work for some babies but not for others. For some, baby book advice may not work and you might not be able to manipulate your baby into a routine or force them to sleep through the night. For others, the NICU routine works well in the transition to home.
17. Read up on what silent reflux is....so common in preemies and often not diagnosed by pediatricians.
18. If you are considering breastfeeding do a bit of reading on it before your babies arrive. Once they arrive you will be so exhausted that it will be good to have gotten an idea on what to expect before you have to pump. (check out our breastfeeding page for more info). Ask to see a Lactation Consultant while you are inpatient or another time when visiting the hospital. A study found that hand expression after each pumping session in the first three days postpartum may help increase milk supply http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html Breastfeeding/pumping does not work for everyone though ~ You need to do what is best for you and your family and don’t feel guilty if you aren’t able to breastfeed or pump!
19. Post partum depression is real and nothing to be embarrassed about. If you feel you might have it don’t be afraid to seek help and guidance. A momo pregnancy is very stressful so the possibility of having PPD may be greater than normal.
20. You have the right to ask to bring your placenta home although some hospitals do not allow it.
21. Sign up for every formula brand out there, the sooner the better and start collecting free samples. Have family or friends sign up too if you want to collect more formula.
22. When in the NICU, make sure the rules the nurses apply towards you are applied towards themselves. The nurses frequently applied the 'no cell phone' rule on us (for germ reasons) but the next second they would whip out theirs & start texting!
23. Educate yourself on vaccines while pregnant. The NICU will probably give the HEP vaccine before discharge; educate yourself if this is something you want immediately or want to wait on for awhile. Also if your babies are in the NICU for some time they may need to get some of their newborn shots. Again, educate yourself on what you want to get or wait on if you are considering a delayed vaccination schedule.
24. Get the scoop on bed sheets being changed. Some hospitals only want to change 3x/wk but you can request/insist on daily since you are in bed most of the day and the sheets get sweat, ultrasound gel, food, etc on them!
25. Research research research! Talk to your friends and email us (monoamniotictwinmoms@gmail.com) if you have any questions. Some things to consider… vitamins, insurance, counseling, circumcisions, vaccines, breastfeeding, organic/natural foods...
26. If you live far from the NICU, or even if you don’t (since you can’t drive immediately after a c-section), see if your Social Worker can set you up in nearby lodging such as the Ronald McDonald House. Some hospitals even have “mother’s rooms” available for moms that will be at the hospitals while their children are being treated for several weeks.
27. You should consider every qualified hospital in your area and interview doctors and get tours to see where you should go. Call and speak to the head nurse and ask what doctor she would recommend. Don't just accept the first practice you were referred to is the best or delivers at the best facility for your 100 day stay. Also, it is usually recommended that women expecting preemies 32 weeks or earlier should be close to if not at a facility with a NICU that can handle the babies. That more than anything should determine where you deliver.
No comments:
Post a Comment