Anyone had a baby before 28 weeks

[danielsmom]

Laura, I'm so sorry for your loss... At the risk of sounding like I'm preaching, I want to say something and have it come out right, and for it to comfort you, because that's all that matters.

For me, it's in really hard trials that I've grown closer to the Lord. I've had 3 miscarriages (one life & fertility threatening), I explained Daniel, and I lost my best friend 5 years ago to a heart attack. You're in it right now, bless your heart. There's a few things in regard to what you said that I'm certain of: none of us deserve miracles, it's not "our" faith or anything we do that moves mountains, and though sometimes He seems distant, He never abandons us.

As far as the second thing, I despise the name it & claim it gospel. It's not because we didn't pray enough, or deserve it enough, sometimes our suffering is just part of God's will. Look at Paul in the New Testament... He was way more deserving than I of blessings/miracles/mercy, yet he endured suffering I could never imagine in my lifetime. Anyhow, like you say, we can't question this or understand it. God knows the end from the beginning, and how all things work together for good. We have to trust Him, not trust in a certain outcome. Likewise, when he says yes, and blesses us with a miracle, we don't pat ourselves on the back and say it's all because we prayed enough, do we? God alone gets the glory.

I'm happy to hear your 2nd pregnancy went well too.

[blythe]

You brought up great points, and I'm so glad you've found the faith and comfort you needed through all your difficult experiences. I just need to step in though, not for you but to the 'lurkers' and anyone else who visits our boards. Most of us find the forums and the PF when we are having very difficult and confusing and scary experiences, and while I agree that faith can be an important part of coping, each person's experience is so specific, and each way of coping is so personal that we generally try to stay clear of specific religious discussions. We need for the PF to be equally accessible for everyone regardless of their belief or non belief. Thanks in advance for understanding the delicate position we're in.

[laurenag7]

I did. At 26 weeks. At only one pound and 6oz, Noah Ryan came out with a soft kitten cry. (Meaning his lungs are working..) I didn't even know babies could survive that young... He is currently at the NICU with me at Rush. .. Stable.. and shocking a ton of doctors and nurses who call him the “firecracker”. He has had to have a few blood transfusions, is receiving nutrition though a iv, be under a bilirubin light due to jaundice and is hooked up to oxygen for extra support, but other than that is ..”OK” and has been my little miracle. Still praying for the best.

[7theaven]

The baby I had before this one was 25wks. She is now 3.5yrs old and a happy, healthy, smart little cookie. I don't know why some babies make it and some don't. I've learned that it's not up to me though and I can only do what I know I can do and leave the rest up to God.
I hope you stay pg for a lot longer. Hang in there.

[kelly1972]

Hi, I haven't been on these forums in so long but, I had to post a reply. My daughter was born at 27/4 wks due to severe preeclampsia after surviving the loss of my son at 34 wks I'm a sucess story. My dd is now a happy and healthy 5 yr old kindergartener, who loves school. She had a pretty easy ride through the NICU although it did have some scary moments. She did contract a virus while there and it was 1 step forward and 3 back. Some days were better than others. What doctors can do for premature babies today is AMAZING. Hang in there If your little one is born early. Hoping your little one stays and grows some more. Good luck.

[albers]

I can tell you an encouraging story. I had preeclampsia 19 years ago and had my son by emergency C section at 27 weeks. He weighed 1 lb. 14 oz. at birth and spent three months in the NICU. He is now a sophomore at Georgetown University--a bright, sweet, handsome guy who is the light of our lives. His path hasn't all been easy, as the main adverse consequence of his prematurity was a (relatively) mild case of cerebral palsy, which means he walks on crutches. Despite that, he is doing great--very popular, a wonderful singer, a political junkie (that's why he's in DC!) and a thoughtful, caring young adult. For us, the main long-term effect of preeclampia, and the close call my son and I went through, is that my husband and I have been mindful of every day we have had with him. We've enjoyed each stage of his growing up and feel very proud to be his parents. Good luck to everyone going through this now. It can have a happy ending!