I have so many things to say about this topic...
Trust your momma instinct no matter how trivial it seems. Know the
warning signs of preterm labor. But know you may never have any either. My girl was born just over two hours after I
woke in the middle of the night. I dilated to complete without ever
feeling a contraction...
Keep those babies in as long as possible!! While I don't know the
uncomfortableness of the third trimester, I do know I would have been
uncomfortable for 1000+ days if it meant my only child had to fight for
her life one less day. If it meant my baby spent even just one less day
in the hospital. Not just weeks, but days can make a difference in a baby's development in the womb.
Prematurity doesn't end at discharge. I call my girl a fighter not just
because she survived against the odds, not just because she made it
through four months of constant heel sticks and exams, but because she
still fights. She's been in physical therapy, occupational therapy,
speech therapy and has had countless specialist appointments.
Prematurity doesn't end at discharge, it's a constant fight to "catch
up." And that's all with her better than expected, miraculous outcome. So
many other preemies fare much worse, or don't get the chance to fight.
Prematurity can be isolating. That's not just because our girl was born
less than three weeks after we moved, but because you spend all your
time at the hospital. You know those scenes in movies where the
character stands still and everything races around them? People,
seasons, life? That's what our four months (and beyond) felt like. It
happens in other ways too. Almost every time I'm asked how old my
daughter is, I'm met with a look of disbelief (as if I'm mistaken on my
own child's age). It hurts and it's painful to have to asterisk my
daughters age every time. She earned those four months!!
Prematurity sours what should be happy memories. My daughters birth was
terrifying. The first time I touched her, I did it wrong. The first time I left the hospital after birth my
hands were full of NICU reading material instead of my baby.
The first time I held her was because "I needed to."
But preemies are miracles. God is alive and well and still performs
miracles everyday! Prematurity means you celebrate everything with that much more gusto.
Her first tiny, cry when the breathing tube was removed at over a month old.
Her first
breaths without oxygen support.
The first time she was "big" enough to wear clothes at
two months old.
Her first bottle not finished through a
feeding tube.
Her first day unhooked from wires.
Her first day HOME.
Her first steps after months of worry and therapy.
All the times she falls down, because it means she
wasn't only walking, she was running!
Her daredevil spirit that sends
her scaling everything in the house because nothing frightens her.
Celebrating not having to visit any doctors for a whole month!
Measuring on the growth chart!
Miracles happen. I ask you to say a prayer for all the babies still fighting and for their families, watching their fight but feeling helpless. Lift them in prayer, it works. I've seen it.
