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We are the lucky ones.

Melody - posted on 08/12/2010 ( 1 mom has responded )

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10

If I had the choice I would've obviously gone full term with my 3rd baby. Instead, I had pre eclampsia throughout and at 28 weeks I had an emergency caesarean. Georgina was born weighing 2lbs. She was in NICU for 3 months and we lived from 9 in the morning til 9 at night, hoping she would survive that next 12 hours. We watched babies come into the ward then go home, all the while cuddling Georgina with her c-pap because of her weak lungs. At the time, we just got through those 3 months on auto pilot and a rota basis so she would be alone as little as possible. These 3 months were an emotional roller coaster which I am sure the majority of you will understand.
She is now 7 months old and has no problems only a delay in development which she will catch up with. This website has been fantastic at making me see the positives of having a preemie. Like I say, if I had the choice I would have gone full term but the fact is I didnt. So the positives in this are that we were able to 'cheat', we watched Georgina grow in her 'pretend womb' (as we described the incubator to my 2nd daughter) instead of only feeling her kick inside me. While other 'normal' mums were stroking their stomach, we were cuddling our baby. My husband and daughter were able to begin their loving family duties with Georgina 3 months earlier than they thought instead of just reading books trying to understand how big she was developing in my womb. And the day we brought her home, well, I am sure 'normal' mums dont have those feelings of taking their baby out into the fresh air for the 1st time in their 3 months of life.
yes there are many negatives but I cling to these positives and am proud of georgina and my family for getting through this tough time. We are the lucky ones.

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Liz - posted on 08/12/2010

2,013

3

I understand exactly what you mean. With my first pregnancy with my b/g twins they were born at 33 weeks six days, six weeks early. My daughter was three pounds twelve ounces and my son was four pounds ten ounces. both were born via an emergency c-section, because my son was a breach and my daughter was ready to come out.

My son was born with underdeveloped lungs, and it was a struggle watching him, not knowing at times if he was going to make it. My daughter despite being smaller only had weight gain issues.

Now being two years old it's hard to tell they were premature, or that my son had lung issues. It was deffinently an emotional roller coster, wondering at times " what I did wrong". With my second pregnancy, my son made it to 38 weeks six days. Weighing six pounds one ounce. It was such a different experience having him in the hospital room with us, and being able to bring him home the same day I came home.

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