Question: Anyone Have Experience With Preemies?

[SJ Coryell]

Was looking through my Facebook notifications the other day and noticed a lot of my friends are having babies so far this year. And a good handfull of them have been preemies. My own son, Kayden was a preemie too. Because of serious preclampsia when I was only half way through the pregnancy, I was put in the ICU. I spent 2 months there and my son was still early and was born almost three months early. He spent the first month of his life in the NICU. He is almost 18months old now and still delayed on some things but is as precious as ever. I was wondering who else here has had experiences with preemies?

Here is a pic of Kayden when he was in the NICU and then a pic from a few weeks ago

 

[FWAmie]

Well, I have never had a preemie myself. But I was born a preemie. I was born three months early. My mother showed me pictures of me in the hospital. I had a tube like thing attached to my head and I was extremely skinny. Only weighing 2lbs 3ozs. When I came home I had a heart monitor on. That from what my mom said was on me for a while. My brother who was also preemie was 3 1/2 months preemie has Cerebral Palsy. But I will be honest, even though my other two were born basically full term. (I would consider my daughter to be a "little over cooked", lol considering she was two weeks over due.) My son was born the day after his due date. I am now 28 weeks pregnant with my third and once again deathly terrified of it. I have seen heard actually really good things about preemie babies tho. Yes they might lack reaching a milestone compared to a "Normal" full term baby, but they are really amazing as to some of the things they do!

 

[SJ Coryell]

Yeah Kayden is behind on the walking and talking but he is very smart and bright and such a happy little boy! I wish you luck with your pregnancy!

 

[rachellove22]

My second oldest was born at 35 weeks so he wasn't too early. He was still very tiny when he came home only 4 pounds 6 oz. As he grew he gained a lot of weight because of the formula that he was put on. Unfortunately he suffered from severe reflux as a baby and would have projectile vomiting. He is nine now and he is still small compared to children his age. Not only is he short and skinny I notice a slight delay in him. He has problems in school and doesn't focus all the time. I'm wondering if its his personality or if it has to do with being a few weeks early.

 

[MrPogi]

My daughter was 1 mo premature and went back in the hospital 1 week later for RSV. We thought we would lose her. She's pretty much a normal kid now and at the top of her class at 8 years old. My boy is 3 now, normal birth, full term, etc, but was late talking and doesn't want to potty train - otherwise a normal little kid, too. My cousin had a girl that was VERY premature, but in spite of some problems is now a college student.

I think most kids that aren't severely preemie do okay.

 

[SJ Coryell]

Yeah we were worried that Id lose him since I was so early when I first went into the hospital and we even thought I might not make it. So he is such a miracle baby for us that we take every day for the gift that it is.

 

[FWAmie]

My second oldest was born at 35 weeks so he wasn't too early. He was still very tiny when he came home only 4 pounds 6 oz. As he grew he gained a lot of weight because of the formula that he was put on. Unfortunately he suffered from severe reflux as a baby and would have projectile vomiting. He is nine now and he is still small compared to children his age. Not only is he short and skinny I notice a slight delay in him. He has problems in school and doesn't focus all the time. I'm wondering if its his personality or if it has to do with being a few weeks early.

Ya, nether of my kids were preemie. But my daughter, who is 5 years old, is really small. While my son is 2 and is half her size and with him standing next to her, basically looks like the "hulk" meaning Stocky compared to his really little older sister. The other day I happen to notice that my son has a much bigger head than my daughter... LOL Also my daughter is 5 and has just now hit 40lbs. My son is 2 and is 30lbs. I have taken my daughter to the doctor just to see if she was ok, because she just seems so small and shouldn't be that small. But I found out from my parents I was that little until I was about 7. Which I seen some pictures and I literally look like a 4 year old at the age of 7. But I was really preemie. But all the doctors tell me "Since you are so small, don't be surprised, she is just taking after you" I am barely 5'0 with shoes on. if shoes off I am between 4'8 and 4'9. But all the women in my moms side of the family are actually no taller than 5'2, unless you count my 14 year old sister. She is actually 5'5. But then again her dad is 6'4.