Micro Preemie, Preemie or Both

Donna - posted on 02/25/2010

My daughter was born at 28 weeks and weighed 2lb 2ozs. Born as a result of IUGR or intra uterine growth retardation. Which basically means the baby gets to a certain point in growth and just stops growing. She is now 3yrs old about to turn 4 yrs in April and doing great. Is speech delayed by a few months but other than that, she is doing great and so will your baby. Just remember, they will learn at their own pace and not yours

Andrea - posted on 02/24/2010

I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to help me.. I have come up with she is a baby and that she doesn't need a lable as in life every one is quick to hand them out so why should she have to start life with one... Other then the lable of Gastroschisis, as I am sure that is a lable she will in time have to explain on her own to friends.. Over all she is healthy and growing and that to me is the most imporant thing in life.. Happy, Healthy and Growing... But thank you all SO much you were all very helpful..

Jessi - posted on 02/15/2010

Hey Andrea! I had my little guy at 34.5 weeks (born early by emerg C-section because of my severe pre-eclampsia actually) and he too had Gastroschisis. He was a big baby tho- shocking the doctors in fact- at 6lbs 9oz, haha. But your baby's little bitty size coupled with the Gastro might have given doctors and nurses reason to give her special situationally determined considerations. That said, my guys is now about 4.5 months actual age and so about 3.5 gestationally, and he isn't sitting up, and is juuuust now starting to try to roll over. I was worried also, but with any preemie, and ESPECIALLY with Gastro preemies you must take into consideration the adjusted age, and also the amount of abdominal distress. One of our nurses told me that just like when a woman has a C-section and the abdominal muscles are cut, it can take months to recover internally and regain full use of those muscles. When you consider that the core muscle strength is essential for sitting up, rolling, standing, etc, it makes sense to understand that our little ones might be a little bit slower in these physical endeavors. Also, our pedi said that with any preemie, it can take up to 2 years or longer to fully "catch up" with developmental milestones. But, do NOT worry. Those milestones are just guidelines and each baby is different- even the ones that haven't faced what our little ones have already conquered! I would love to chat further with you since we have so much in common already. :)

Kimberly - posted on 02/14/2010

Hey moms keep your heads up and your hearts free to love. My babies were born at 25 and 27 weeks. The first one a son was 1lb. 11oz. and lost down to 1lb.6oz. my second one was a daughter weighing 2lb.3oz. and losing down to lb.14oz. They were two years apart in ages. My son has eye issues and had to have surgeries at 2lbs. and my daughter had no surgery issues. They were both on monitors for a year and they progressed a little slow, but as they got older they caught up, and in some cases surpassed. Mine children are now 16 and driving, and 14 and a straight a student who is on the math team and scholars bowl. God works in mysterious ways, and the birth of my children was certainly mysterious. Keep your faith, It will be worth it as you watch your little miricles grow and develope into their own selves.

EveKeisha - posted on 02/13/2010

My son had the same thing but he 13.5 months old now and is walking and talking beautifully lol he has no life threatening sickness and is quite smart.

EveKeisha - posted on 02/13/2010

My son had the same thing but he 13.5 months old now and is walking and talking beautifully lol he has no life threatening sickness and is quite smart.

Andrea - posted on 02/12/2010

See that is kind of what happened with my little girl she went from 3lb 8oz to 2lb 12oz or so that is why i guess that maybe therpy is thinking she is micro preemie. I guess I am just confused.. I to have done the so much research that my head was spinning when i went into have my daughter.. I knew what she was in for as we found out when i was 12 weeks prego with her.. We had to have CVS testing done. 40+ ultrasounds, non-stress test, high risk doctor, "normal" doctor and her surgery team.. Also i was really really really sick with her.. (chicken pox, flu, all day sickness, got sick every night at the same time, was in and out with perterm labor.. Was nothing like i thought it would be..As i know far to well every pergo is very different.. Mine were night and day.. My sons was awsome...) I had gotten every book i could find on Gastroschisis looked on the web.. I thank you so much for the help and advice.. We do now know and understand that her belly does cause her pain from time to time, to go along with the Reflux, extra gas, pooping issues and all the other things.. She is to me A "NORMAL" baby in every way, shape and size.. I guess that is what i need to rememeber in the long run.. She was given to me for a reason. I really shouldn't matter if she was preemie, micro preemie.. Just that she is hear to tell her story as she grows with her so cute odd belly button (which i just love) looks like a larger outtie belly button.. Thank you Erinn.. Any information you would like to share i am willing to take.. Heck I may have missed something when doing my own research.. Thank you again..

Brandy - posted on 02/12/2010

my twins were micro they were born at 24 weeks weighin 1lb 1oz and 15.5 oz they are about a yr behind they had a good bit of complactions when they were born

Monicquea - posted on 02/12/2010

I don't recall hearing my child being referred to as a micro preemie but it would definitely define her birth weight. She was born at 28 weeks and weighed 1 lb 3 oz. My daughter has been slightly behind most of her life(13 months old) but she is also considered to be 3 months behind. She is now sitting up and trying to crawl and lift herself up but she has also been receiving occupational/physical therapy for several months now. My daughter also does things on her own time. She's a mini me. I didn't start walking or crawling until I was one and I was a full term baby. Regardless of what term they want to use to describe your child she has persevered.

Brittany - posted on 02/11/2010

My son was a micro preemie he was born at 24 weeks at 1 lb 7 oz and when he was born they called him a micro preemie and I never heard that before so they told me the same thing Wanda M just said, but alot of doctors say different stuff so who knows. :)

Wanda - posted on 02/10/2010

Hey Andrea, My son was a micro preemie born at 25 weeks and weighing only 1 lb 113oz. At the time I was told that a micro preemie was a preemie born less than 2 lbs and before 28 weeks. I've found out that some docs consider less than 3 lbs to be micro preemie. I've never heard of a preemie being ove 30 weeks refered to as a micro but they may be taking her health issues into account (I'm just guessing).



Normally, with a preemie, you judge milestones by their due date not their birth date, which is why your doc says she should only be a month behind but sometimes preemies need a little extra time. I know my son was behind, even for his corrected age, but as long as he continued to show improvement his docs were happy. Also, at about 12 months corrected, my son just kind of took off and all of a sudden started to catch up quick. Now, at 2 actual age, there are only a few minor things that might suggest he was a preemie.



I hope this helped a little bit.

Andrea - posted on 02/10/2010

I am not trying to say that she is a Micro Preemie.. To me she has and is just a preemie who had a heck of a fight to get everything put back inside her belly (as most of her insides were all outside) and working like it should.. To me she is growing and doing things in her own time.. I am just thankful for every day she is here with us.. Thank you for the kind words.. I hope that everyone little one are doing good.. Take care..