Was due May 15th but i had my baby 19th of march

Susan - posted on 05/12/2010

Had a little girl due July 15 born March 29. you didn't let her down. She has her own purpose and timetable.

Lorraine - posted on 05/10/2010

I was suposed to give birh at sept 15 but I gave birh at may 29 2009, 4 months early 25 week, I was heart broken, he was born with everything he just needed help with his longs, and to be stronger, In the NICU the nurses call him the fighter, because when I gave birh he was kicking all over the place and he came out like superman, but yeah I felt like if I didnt do good enough but, but things happened nobody knows the cause of me giving birh so early, but my son is 11 months now, and he is doing great! I give credit for all woman even though we gave birh early but that doesnt mean we are bad moms, that is an experience that some go threw, we should be proud of passing this test that some havent!

Grandma Linda - posted on 05/10/2010

Congratulations to you on your little girl and don't beat yourself up over her being early,I'm sure you had nothing to do with! It is all in Gods timing when these little ones arrive most of the time..He knows what He is doing!

Melissa - posted on 05/10/2010

Update she is home at last and doing well , still at bit sleepy when feeding but is putting on weight so all in all really good :)

Megan - posted on 05/02/2010

I was in the same situation...my little guy was due May 15th and was born March 27. A year later and he is doing amazing! He is running and has 6 teeth. He loves to eat. Don't worry it gets better. I think the hardest part was not feeling prepared. We hadn't had any showers so I didn't have much!

Melissa - posted on 05/02/2010

she is still in hospital but i hope she can come home soon , i miss her like crazy and feel as if i need to be in two places at once , with her and with my husband and other kids

Shanica - posted on 04/19/2010

Great News Melissa!!! Glad your little princess is doing good. Do you know when they will let you bring her home?

Melissa - posted on 04/19/2010

i would like to let you all no she is doing very well , shes is still in hospital but is getting stronger everyday , she is even breast feeding a cope of times a day but still is very sleepy all her brain scans have come back all clear and so have her eye tests and bloods, she is amazing me every day , she is a little fighter and so very strong cant get over how far she has come , she is a real blessing in my life thanks for all your words of support xxxx

Jennifer - posted on 04/07/2010

Melissa, I felt the same way.. I too thought I had let Grayson down. I later realized that I didn't let him down at all when he was delivered early. I would have let him down if I didn't sit by his side and fight for him when he couldn't tell the nurses and doctors what he needed. My husband held the fort down for our 4 year old (2 hours away from the hospital) so I did all the fighting for Grayson. Keep your head up. Also search for the story on premature babies by Erma Bombeck. You will realize you were chosen to have a preemie. It's a blessing to be chosen! I wish I would have found it when Grayson was in the hospital.

Melissa - posted on 04/05/2010

I love her name too, and big name for a very small girl and its great to here about your girl too , its great to know they grow up strong thanks x

Melissa - posted on 04/05/2010

We dont really no why she came so early but she had been trying to come from 28 weeks so i am so happy she didnt come then , she put on 50 grams today so that was great and we had some skin to skin cuddle for a bit so that just made my day :) i will keep updating x

Shanica - posted on 04/05/2010

Congratulations on your little one. I had my twin boys at 26 weeks despite being on bedrest at home and then at the hospital and I felt the same. I felt guilty and kept blaming my self especially since one twin died of complications due to being born so early. Please dont beat your self over this. Our babies are the ones that decide when they want to enter our world and meet their mommies and daddies and your little princess was just too eager to meet you :) Look at the bright side, she is healthy, getting stronger by the day, in capable hands and will soon be home so you can spoil her rotten. Like these wonderful mommies have said, she maybe in NICU, but you are her mommy, so you can do alot for her. Preemie babies are amazing, they are very strong and you will be surprised at how much spunk they have. Spend time with her, sing and read to her, hold her and do what you would have done if she was home. Good luck and I will keep you in my prayers.

Christianne - posted on 04/04/2010

Congratulations on your baby girl! I had my first baby (a boy) at 32 weeks. He is now 17 years old and 6' 2". I understand the emotional roller coaster you are on! I remember just getting used to the pregnancy part at 32 weeks and then * whoa * a baby!!! I remember just sitting by his incubator and stroking him like a puppy. It was so healing and I think he liked it too. When you get her home and she is growing and changing and smiling - you will forget all about those guilty feelings - you'll be too busy!! ha ha Good luck and remember to take care of yourself too.

Sara - posted on 04/04/2010

Hey Melissa - What a great name for your daughter. She must be strong to carry that name with her. You didn't let her down at all. She is here and you and family are getting to know her, loving her every step of the way. My daughter was a 28 weeker, and celebrated 14 years this year! I couldn't be more proud....wait until you are late to pick her up from volleyball practice and she waits in the rain a little while...then you can think you let her down! Enjoy the adventure!

Tammy - posted on 04/04/2010

Hey, I also had my baby at 32 weeks b/c of bleeding from a placenta abruption. I had him emergency c-section and I feel guilty as well. I really didn't do anything to have caused it but I am a worrier and I get stressed easy and I always think like, "what if i didn't get so stressed", it wouldn't have happened, but there's really no known cause of my abruption. What caused u to have your little one early?

Kathryn - posted on 04/04/2010

Melissa,
Congratulations on your baby girl! I am a nurse in a NICU and I have to tell you, YOU DID NOT LET HER DOWN. One of the toughest topics I deal with is making sure that moms don't blame themselves. Unless you did drugs or drank or forced yourself into labor, there was nothing you could do about it. Delivering early is in no way your fault. 31+5 is usually a pretty safe area, you deal with lung prematurity for sure and will be in the hospital for a while but everything should be okay. My prayers are with you and I would like to suggest to you making a caring bridge page. This website is designed for families that have preemies. You can provide updates to family and friends and the only people that can view it are people you invite. You can share pictures and keep your relatives up to date on her progress! www.caringbridge.com
God bless you and your family!! And good luck!

Melissa - posted on 04/04/2010

She put on 110 grams and is out of the isolette and doing so well thanks to everyone for your post, i will keep u updated , it was her first easter today and she had a good day and small skin to skin cuddles with me oh how i love them :)

Patrice - posted on 04/03/2010

Hey Melissa I know what you mean as far as "letting down." I felt like I over did it when I was pregnant (school, work, etc) and my son was born at 26 weeks. But now he's a healthy blessed 5. Addison will continue to grow stronger, keep up the good work

Maria - posted on 04/03/2010

hi dont feel guilty there are so many reasons why she wanted to come early and i am glad to hear she is strong. I have had 4 prems. 34 wks , 32wks, 28+3wks and 28+1 weeks. My 32wk Levi is now 6 yrs old and you would never know he was prem.

No problems and was born 4lb 2oz by emergency c-section stayed in SCBU for 2 weeks then came home.

Hope she continues to do well and you get to enjoy her more very soon x x

Kara - posted on 04/03/2010

Congrats on you little girl!!! It is eas to feel at fault for having a preemie, but try to keep your chin up and keep in mind that there is a plan for everyone and this little girl needed to come out and show the world how strong she is!!! I keep telling myself that the twins wanted to come out so bad at 27 weeks just so they could lay on my chest and get kisses, cuz mamas belly wasnt comfortable enough!! Its the little things that make each day that much easier. I agree with everyone....LOVE...LOVE...LOVE!!! Dont be afraid and dont feel bad, I know easier said than done....but mama has to be happy and healthy for baby girl to continue to grow and prosper!!! Good luck and God bless!

Karen - posted on 04/03/2010

One more note... Take care of you! Continue to make sure you are strong. Ask for support if you need it.. As some one said above... we are here.. We've been through it. If you can give breast milk as well.. do it... I was only able for both my kids to do it for a short period of time, but that was all they needed.. If you can handle this.. You will continue to make yourself into a stronger mom and woman...

Karen - posted on 04/03/2010

Congrats on her progress! My inspiration was my husband's cousin who was only 1 pound at birth. When I met her she was 6 years old...Now she is a beautiful 20 year old...:) Keep strong, stay positive and get alot of skin contact with her... Love, Love, love...

Karen - posted on 04/02/2010

Hang in there she will grow to a normal size before your very eyes. My daughter was born 29 weeks, four days. She is now 16 months and has been cleared with the early intervention experts. Preemies grow faster with alot of love and cuddling. Don't be scared. It you have questions post and I will be more than happy to talk to you. My son was also born premature and is 12 now. LOVE, LOVE AND MORE LOVE

Tina - posted on 04/02/2010

Congratulations! I had my now 3 year old son at 31 weeks 5 days too and he spent 4 weeks in the NICU but he did wonderfully. I remember what a scary time it was though, seeing your small helpless baby with all those wires and possibly machines from time to time. It is scary and very emotional. Hang in there! Someday you will look at your happy child running and climbing at the park and you will be blown away by the memory that they were once so tiny and frail! No one believes me when I tell them my son was a preemie! he is 100% caught up and looks bigger than some kids his age who were full term! Good luck!!

Cherish - posted on 04/01/2010

I had my twins on Feb. 26th 2010 they were due on April 12th! 33wks and 4 days! They spent almost three weeks in the NICU. They are doing really well, and I wish your new baby and your family the best of luck. :)

Jennifer - posted on 04/01/2010

Continue to think of baby steps. That is what I did when my son arrived at 33 wks. 0 days. I was afraid that if he made too much progress in 1 day, that he would go backward. I didn't think I could emotionally handle that. He is doing great today!

Angelika - posted on 04/01/2010

congrats on your baby =) i too had a preemie 28 weeker he was 2/13 spent long time in NICU and groin surgeries down to cincinnati (we r in toledo) for surgeries. loads more but it does get better. my lil man is almost 2 walking starting to talk and most his issues r not bad now. good luck to you and cherish EVERY moment.

Liz - posted on 03/31/2010

congrats on your little girl. My twins were born at 33 weeks six days, six weeks early. Having a preemie can be scary, but things will get better. Glad to hear she is doing well, and hope she's able to come home soon. My son was home after eight days and my daughter was home after 12 days.

Melissa - posted on 03/31/2010

thanks ladies she put on 60 grams so thats made me so happy , i am taking all of this in baby steps , i will keep u up to date

Andrea - posted on 03/30/2010

Congrats on your lil baby girl!!! I am glad she is strong and is getting better everyday... Having apreemie is like a roller coaster so hang in there!!! I hope you keep us posted on how she is doing and remember if you need to talk we are here!!!

Ellena - posted on 03/30/2010

I felt the same way after my first preemie after having a full term baby I then had a 29 weeker I also blamed myself for a while the emotions are high and the stress levels go through the roof but as your baby grows you will realise how special your little one is and how lucky you are to have a healthy baby...some preemie mums arent as lucky as us to still get to see your beautiful children grow, that is what is important you are there for your baby and doing everything you can some things are just out of our control and as a mother not having control over what happens to our children and not being able to protect them is our worst fear..my last little one was also 31weeks and 4 days and she is now 2 years old the time will fly by and you will look at your baby and see how special she is when she does things like talk and walk and cry, best wishes with your little one and you can let go of the blame this is something you had no control over and embrace your miracle

cheers Ellie.