Anyone had a baby before 28 weeks

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[laura]

Happy Easter everyone! Miami, I've been in that exact place, waiting and watching and wishing I had an answer of how to get through subsequent pregnancies... I developed htn early on with my 2nd pregnancy, and spent months on bed rest and relied on the "well, I'm fine this hour and there's no need to think about tomorrow" coping mechanism and we made it to 36 weeks. I hope that happens for you.

The idea of how faith and health intersect has been something I've carried closely these past days...not from preeclampsia, praise heaven, but because I just watched my mom lose her battle with cancer, and through the process people have comforted us with the idea that God could work miracles and save my mama. the implication always felt like our job as supplicants was to pray really hard and believe entirely, and leave it to God to fix.

But he didn't 'choose" us and she died a few weeks ago. We were left wondering what we had done wrong, that we weren't worthy of such a miracle. Why had He abandoned us?

My job has been to understand that as a person of faith, my job isn't to understand, but I have made my own internal note to tread carefully on the subject with others Because I've been in the position where God said no, and it isn't pleasant to be in the situation not only grieving a loss, but also wondering why you weren't worthy of a miracle.

[miamibunnie]

Oh my he is so cute....god bless him.

I do have a BP machine at home and I check it like twice a day. Its been pretty good. the highest reading I ever had is 122/86
But it usually drops low like 88/72 sometimes. I really think that happens because I really watch my sodium intake. Dont eat junk food as well. Sometimes I would have like 2 chocalete chip cookies with milk, but thats it.

[danielsmom]

You've earned the right to be a little terrified, it doesn't mean your faith is weakened. We're human. I can't imagine delivering earlier, and you've been through that twice. My heart just goes out to you. It sounds like things are going well though and they're monitoring you really close. Do you take your BP at home?

Sounds like you've got one of those miracle babies too! I love hearing those stories. I also just read that angieb is almost 36 weeks with her rainbow baby after HELLP at 23 weeks. WONDERFUL. It can happen girl.

My little man off to get Easter pictures made today

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[miamibunnie]

Thank you ladies....I ask this because the whole thing worries me. I pray almost everyday...I have faith but at the same time I'm just so scared. My first daughter is a miracle as well she was born in 1996 when I was 23 anf she was 25 wks weighing 1 lbs and 3oz and thanks to god she is doing great. But since I got it last year at 23 wk and on top of my baby passing away it is a pain and a fear that will not like for anyone to go through. I will be 24 wks tomorrow and I am so thankful for everyday my baby is allowed to be in me and grow.
I wish all of us a better outcome