Wednesday 22 February 2012

Ring of Roses - Mums of Premature Babies Working from Home

One of the things I want to do with Not Even A Bag of Sugar is create some resource pages. My plan is to have a page of premature baby product resources, a page of charity links, and also a page promoting the work of mums who have chosen to work from home. If you would like to have a little promotional advert on my page contact me. It is free and always will be.

My first mum that I am featuring is Laura, mum to Rose. I met Laura through Bliss, and am in awe of the beautiful things she makes and sells on her Ring of Roses Facebook page.  Here is their story.


 My pregnancy was not easy from the start, I bled from 8 weeks and was hospitalised on many occasions but they couldn’t identify any reason for it. Eventually, I was diagnosed with placenta previa. They ran through the risks with me and put me on bed rest. Unfortunately, 22 weeks saw a big bleed, and the phrase ‘not viable’ was used, I became more and more disconnected with my unborn baby, I didn’t want to love someone who wouldn’t make it.

At 29 weeks, I was scanned  and told that my placenta had moved! I was very relieved and despite losing my plug, I managed a couple of weeks of ‘life after bed rest’.  Unfortunately at  32 weeks  I thought I had wet myself in the car, on investigation, it turned out that I was bleeding, and badly. I made my way to hospital where my uterus contracted (at least I had one!) and stayed that way. Hooked up to monitors, all I could do was lie and wait as my body spontaneously gushed with blood and doctors decided how best to manage the situation. It was explained that it was a balancing act, leave baby in so I could get both steroid shots, but not leave her there too long so that both of us end up in trouble. Somehow I made it through the night, I was eerily calm, pressing the buzzer with each gush and refusing all pain relief.  About an hour after the second injection (they are 12 hours apart) there was a pop and a huge gush – and the midwife happily announced that I’d wet myself...I’m sure you’ve already guessed, it was my waters. A second gush came and a doctor confirmed that indeed my waters had gone. The room was then a buzz with medical staff, forms for me to sign and talk of ‘risks’ ‘complications’ and ‘NICU’. The c section was like an out of body experience, I remember the surgeon peering over the screen and happily saying ‘OK, let’s have a baby’ and me thinking ‘this woman’s on crack’. 

My beautiful little girl was delivered on 2nd September 2010 weighing 4lb 4oz. She breathed unaided for 8 minutes before encountering difficulties and being intubated. I was in recovery when this happened and was told that they couldn’t take me to see her at that point because she was being worked on. My response? ‘OK’!  I was eventually wheeled through to the world that is NICU; beeps, alarms, smells, feeding tubes, canulas, ventilators, CPAP... None of which I had a clue about. My little girl was snuggled up with tubes and wires, all I can clearly remember was that she had lots of hair and a hat on that I would never have chosen for her (her clothes became somewhat of a distractive focal point to me during our stay!).

As any prem parent can relate to, it takes a while to adjust to life in NICU. I was blessed with somewhere to stay for the entirety as the hospital had a patient hotel with suites specifically for NICU parents. I became more established with my little girl’s routine, expressing 3 hourly day and night, doing her cares, doctors rounds, tube feeds and weigh ins. Somehow, I managed to miss that she was losing weight, and a lot of it. When she got down to 3lb 6oz, they added fortifier to my milk, only confirming to me that I was failing her yet again, even my milk wasn’t good enough for her. I had no emotional connection with her, but I did do kangaroo cares (whilst double expressing, a prem Mummy triumph!). Her name was chosen on around day 3. Her middle name is Joan, after my Grandma, and her first name is Rose, after the flowers we had at her funeral. It’s a fitting tribute to the most wonderful woman I have ever known.

We came through the NICU experience relatively unscathed despite being treated for suspected sepsis and having her feeds stopped. She took her time coming out of the incubator into a cot as she couldn’t maintain her body temperature, and she had the odd brady and apnoea, but she tolerated (another NICU term) her feeds very well. No surprises there, as she loves her food now! After 17 days, we were discharged with our 3lb 15oz little bundle.

The next 6 months were pretty awful. She didn’t sleep. At all. She breastfed for an hour and a half at a time only to start again an hour and a half later. Then she stopped gaining weight and had to go onto prem formula. She stopped breathing on me (thank goodness for resus training) and it became apparent that I had no bond with my daughter. Her needs were met, but I didn’t love her. I received some wonderful support from the ladies at BLISS when i finally realised I’d missed my ‘rush of love’. Although I’ve accepted that I’ll never have ‘that’ moment, I am still insanely jealous of those who have experienced it. 

I am pleased to say, that I am now totally and utterly in love with Rose! She is the most wonderful 17 month old; caring, funny, cheeky, sunny natured and finally starting to learn to walk. In terms of her development, we’re getting there. She didn’t smile until she was 17 weeks, roll until she was 9 ½ months or crawl until just before her first Birthday, but I was a very lazy child and they think she’s following the familial line. She’s been referred for ongoing reflux problems, and there’s some worry over her gross motor skills and speech, but when she’s at nursery, she just looks like any of the other toddlers her age. 

At the same time as Rose decided to start crawling I got made redundant from my job in CAMHS. I was devastated as I loved my job, but the new hours which were available just wouldn’t work for me. I was then left in a difficult position: I had limited childcare (Thursday and Friday) and I was now a single Mum, so I needed a job which I could make the hours work for me, and around Rose’s needs. Thus, Ring Of Roses was born! I went to art college when I was younger and my Mum is also an artist, so it was natural for me to venture into this area of work. I had developed a technique whilst at art college, which allows me to transfer images onto different surfaces, and after some experimentation, the first of my products began to develop. The range has continued to expand and I now have a wonderful following on Facebook with steady orders flowing in. I have also been lucky enough to secure another job 2 days a week to support us whilst my business becomes more established. My ultimate aim, is to be able to donate 10% of each sale to BLISS, as a way of saying Thank you and a way to help them continue the wonderful work that they do.





17 comments:

  1. What an emotional story. I have also gone and discovered the Ring Of roses page, lovely:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such an emotional story.x As a fellow SCBU mummy this bought back many memories. I found myself in tears as I also missed that 'rush of love' with my first c-section baby. Baby no.2 was natural and my prem SCBU baby. I had the love for her as they whisked her away a couple of hours later. Both are happy and healthy at 3yrs and 20months. I too have chosen to work from home with my own craft business. Vicki's Handmade Treasures. Good luck for the future.x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very privileged to know Laura and Rose- a wonderful and committed mum to a beautiful and happy little girl xxx

    ReplyDelete
  4. In this article I will teach you the basics of how to have fun learning your chords by playing out of a Fake Book.
    -- Notes: Bb D F. It is very soothing to hear the sound
    of piano and based on such vast change of scales, a song sounds so melodious.


    Here is my blog :: piano chords am f

    ReplyDelete
  5. " A good tip is to weblog about things related to your industry with out giving away something which you could be making cash from. First a website has to be found, and such a task is often difficult when you consider the fact "each website
    is competing against millions of others for Top Placement in Search Engines.
    Budget.

    my weblog - Internet Marketing Plan

    ReplyDelete
  6. In relation to the last paragraph, the question had
    arisen by the people that how the diet can be eaten by us
    in the same form in which it was utilized by our ancestors.
    By meat I mean red meat, white meat and seafood.

    Always check your physician before making any changes to your daily habits.


    My blog post - the paleo diet and alcohol
    My page :: paleo diet and weight loss

    ReplyDelete
  7. One quick and important note: make sure you know the requirements and can get them all
    accomplished for your out-of-state or out-of-country wedding.
    Wedding planning is no different. 4.

    Look at my webpage wedding website announcements

    ReplyDelete
  8. Depending on what type of business you have you should build
    a fan base that consists of your target audience.
    Out of all them the best and most used one is to buy Facebook
    fans. One of the most riveting prospects of the position is, for individuals, groups, companies and businesses to create
    their own pages to elevate and support their products, brands and
    services.

    Also visit my blog: Buy Facebook Fans Cheap
    Also see my web site: Buy Facebook Fans Cheap

    ReplyDelete
  9. This gives another impression to the outside public and turns in the cheapest rates.

    Buying fans or views is a clean process and delivered to you on time.
    Even customers are given complete freedom to call their
    customer support number in case they are facing any problem.


    My web site: increase youtube views

    ReplyDelete
  10. Those that are not familiar with the area will treasure this information above all else, and it will
    help them enjoy your wedding more thoroughly.
    What is even more exciting is that you will be able to keep this wedding website for one year, at no cost to you.
    Out of town guests will feel especially welcome if
    you give them special attention at the reception.

    Feel free to visit my web blog ... wedding website amanda isgate and brandon hicks

    ReplyDelete
  11. Then, cells that destroy bacteria and cell debris wipe out the yeast.
    Implementing these changes in your life, will be effective remedies against recurrent yeast infections, when
    undertaken with a holistic yeast infection treatment program that
    will kill the yeast infection from the inside out. Finding the best vaginal yeast infection remedy that will work for you will end all the disturbing symptoms of the infection improving the quality of your life.


    Look into my website ... yeast infection after hysterectomy
    my web page > prevent yeast infection antibiotics

    ReplyDelete
  12. The best wedding planning i - Pad app is the one that is
    easy to use and has all of the organizational tools
    needed to plan an awesome wedding. Fortunately, our minister
    has neither, and he's asked very little of us as well. If necessary, place a polite reminder on your sign-in page that this is not an informal website, and that distasteful comments will be removed.

    my site - our wedding website about us
    my website - wedding website about us

    ReplyDelete
  13. It is particularly helpful as you fight off this yeast infection in mouth.
    Because of its anti-fungal properties, it is also sometimes recommended for vaginal
    yeast infections. Apple-cider vinegar diluted in water kills yeast
    and provides temporary relief.

    Take a look at my page ... mild yeast infection after period

    ReplyDelete
  14. When you stop PPC, traffic dies immediately and your business is dead
    in the water. You need to utilise every tool and potential outlet you possibly can.
    - Page 16 -.

    Also visit my site; Internet Marketing Coach

    ReplyDelete
  15. - Set thoroughly cooked chicken aside. Pizza crust, bread,
    pancakes, and any food that contain sugar should be taken out and erased from the list of foods one can eat.

    Grains, salt, processed oils, legumes, and
    any other food that is not available yet during the said era are
    not including in this special type of diet.


    Stop by my web-site ... paleo diet and weight loss
    my web page: paleo diet and weight loss

    ReplyDelete
  16. There are various kids birthday party games that it is possible to play
    with your kids and your guests. Thus, go ahead and approach
    a great birthday party bash for your partner to remember the milestone year
    from the life. There are two locations in Fort Wayne that would be thrilled
    to host your child's birthday party.

    Review my homepage :: 5th Birthday Party Ideas
    Also see my site: 10th Birthday party ideas

    ReplyDelete
  17. I earn $20 for a 20 minute survey!

    Guess what? This is exactly what big companies are paying for. They need to know what their average customer needs and wants. So these companies pay millions of dollars each month to the average person. In return, the average person, like myself, participates in surveys and gives them their opinion.

    ReplyDelete