Seeking Moms' of Preemies

My 2nd child was a preemie at 34.5 weeks. She was 4lb 3.5 oz at birth. My water had broken at 30 weeks so I had a long hospital stay receiving shots often to stop labor. She was born with no complications and stayed in the NICU 2 weeks, only to gain some weight before release.

She failed to thrive for the first 6 months of her life for unknown reasons and stayed very small. Her development was delayed by this as well but she was all caught up by the time she was 4 years old. She is now a healthy, happy, vibrant and slightly petite 8 year old. Her immune system is stronger than most of the familys!

Daegan's a 30 weeker. We had a 9 week NICU stay and so far everything is going well (he's 5 months old). I'm sooo not ready to think about another one yet (PIH and HELLP).

D.

I also have an 18 month old who was a preemie. He was born 5 weeks early, not as early as your son, but he was in the NICU for 8 days. If you would like to contact me you can do so at ____@____.com.

J.

My son was a "preemie" by definition. He was only about 2 1/2 weeks early, though. He weighed 5lbs. Everything seemed to be 'just right' with him. He is now almost 16 months old and still as happy as he can be! I'd love to talk and offer any advice I can!! Good luck with everything!
E.

Hey D.. My twins were premmies..born 4weeks and 6 days early. I went into labor @ 32 weeks the first time. They were both home within a week...only with slight respitory promblems. I honestly do not have any advice on switching OBs. If you feel you should switch, I think you should. I do know I was told once you have a history of premature birth your chances increase the next pregnancy. There are many new procedures out there that they can do now to help with premature birth. Good Luck!

I have twins who were nearly four months early. They are now 3 1/2 years. I would love to chat with you.

Hi D., My name is A.. I live in the Katy are. I am a mom to a preemie (26 weeker). He will be 13 months on Friday. I would love to chat about our boys. My son's name is Gabriel "Gabe". He is doing extremely well considering all the issues he had in the NICU. Which NICU was your son in? We too just decided to have another child. I would like to wait at least one more year, to give Gabe time to catch up. Please feel fee to email me at any time.

Blessings,
A.

My little boy was born three months early, also. He is now five years old, in kindergarten, and doing really well. He was behind in a lot of things he did like sitting up, crawling, and walking, but once he started walking and talking he was no different than other kids his age. If you have any questions or anything, feel free to contact me...

Hi D., my son was a preemie. He was two months early and weighed 3lbs. and 8ozs. He spent 6 weeks in the NICU at Children's Hospital and had surgery the night he was born. He is 14 months old now and doing great. I think he might be a little developmentally delayed because he is not walking yet, but some babies that have no problems are late walkers so I don't know. Other than that he is wonderful. My OB was the greatest and I will definitely use him again. Even if I move out of the area I will come back to him. I don't believe my son would be here if it wasn't for him. He found problems early and kept a very close watch on me and my son. If you have any questions or would just like to talk you can email me at ____@____.com.

Hey D.,

My daughter who is now 3 was born at 29 weeks she came into the world at 2 lbs 9 oz. She is doing great. It took her a little bit. She is petite but she has no problems. She spent about a month and half in the NICU. My son is 2 and he was born at 32 weeks. He weighed 5 lbs. 4 oz and got to come home with us. They are now about 1/2 lb diffrent is size. I had diffrent OB for both of them due to insurance changes within the company that I worked for.

I think that premeies set their own growth and development schedules. They all differ and they all have diffrent complications. You also have to take into consideration of why they are premeies. Were you sick during pregnancy or were they just ready to be here? All pregnancies are diffrent. I was sick with my first one and my son we just ready to be here. My water broke with him at 30 weeks and I was on bed rest for two weeks after that.

As far as OB's go... just make sure if you change that the old one has your history.

I am a mom of a 32 weeker, he spent 5 weeks in the NICU and was on a Brady Monitor for 2 months after discharge. Elijah is 10 months old now and doing well. I think he will be walking in no time. I was induced at that time because of severe PIH and Hellp Syndrome. My advice when thinking about having another is to find someone who specializes in high risk pregnancy. I don't know if my doctor was someone who specializes in high risk but she was wonderful through the whole thing. Dr. Pamela Promecene-Cook, she works at UT Physicians on San Felipe. I would also deliver at Children's Memorial Hermann in the Med. Center they have the best ob residents and nursing staff, and, God forbid, anything should happen they have the most awesome NICU staff around. I would say go for it as long as your life is not in danger for any reason. If you don't know why you delivered early find out all the details and get your records. Good luck to you.

I don't really have any advice to offer, though, for me personally I will see a perinatologist while pregnant with the second. My daughter was unusually large for gestational age--34w0d, (no diabetes, was checked several times) even though the ultrasound estimates came up at 4lbs and 16in...I had severe pre-e and hellp syndrome as well (along with an OB who dismissed my symptoms as my being a PITA first-time mom)...I will be certain that I have an OB who listens carefully to me and will be willing to follow my plan for birth with me when it happens again.

My daughter spent only 5 days in the NICU and weighed 5lbs 10oz and was 18in long. She didn't smile for a very long time and had a very immature digestive system that we had to contend with (in fact, she's still on prevacid at 5 years old), but otherwise is a happy, well-adjusted, and intelligent child.

M.

Hi D.! My daughter was also born premature, but only 5 weeks. She is fine without any complications. I wanted to let you know about a new "procedure" now being done...I am 22 weeks pregnant with twins, and my doctor and health insurance company both informed me about weekly progesterone shots to help prevent pre-term labor. My doctor said there was a 70% improvement rate of moms who'd had pre-term labor and deliveries. I started the shots at 20 weeks, and my insurance covers them completely, I'm sure since the cost of a shot for 14 weeks is much better than the cost of a pre-term baby! Just wanted to make sure you were aware of this option should you become pregnant. Good luck!
:)C.

I had twins (boy & girl) who were born 7 weeks premature (3 lbs & 3 lbs 13 oz). They were born a year ago (Jan 18, 2006), so they just had their 1st bday. They are doing excellent, besides getting the normal colds & illnesses that all babies get. They are both around 22.5 lbs now. They're on the verge of walking.

My son was technically a preemie, but only by 3 1/2 weeks. He was in the hospital his first 2 weeks due to respiratory problems. He is now 8 months and doing very well. My husband and I opted for no birth control and we are certainly trying for the next one. My husband does want me to switch to a different OB, but I'm so comfortable with the one I have. I guess that will be a decision I'll make when I cross that bridge. But the experience overall is not in any way deterring us from having another.

R.

My son was born at 30 weeks. We had our ups and downs. He is 9 years old now. The first two years he was sick, had every virus that came around.
Did you have a good experiance with your OB? How do you feel about him/her? I would be able to offer more if I knew why you delivered early. A high risk OB would be the best but an OB should be able to take care of you and if anything comes up he can have see a specalist. If you are wondering about other doctors you can ask any ob nurses that you know they can offer the best advice,but they maybe reluctant to tell you if they do not know you. I am an OB nurse if you have any more questions feel free to email me. ____@____.com

Hello D.,
I have four children, ages 18 yrs, 15 yrs, 7 yrs and 5 yrs old. My oldest daughter was born at 32 weeks and with my 7 yr old I went into labor at 20 weeks and then was on bedrest for four months with 6 hospitalizations. My youngest child, 5 yr old, was born at 32 weeks and had a brain hemorrage at birth...so I definitely know what you are going through. If I can help or you just want to talk, let me know.

Both of my children were preemies, born a month only. They are now 2 (in two weeks) and 8 months. Both of them had underdeveloped digestive systems, but outgrew them by one year and the 2nd by 4 months. Other then that, they are right on track developmentally. In fact, my 8 month old is pulling up on things and taking steps while holding on to our hands. I would never dream of switching OB's. If you or your husband are worried that it her his/her fault, be rest assured that there was probably nothing they could have done to prevent that preterm labor. We plan to try for another child within the next 6-9 months even though the risk for having another preterm baby is probable. I trust my OB with my life and know that she would do everything in her power to deliver a healthy baby.

Both my children were preemies, two months early. My son weighed 2lbs 6oz and is now three. My daughter weighed 1lb 9oz and is now 8motns. Both were early for very different reasons. They are both doing well, except a few developmental delays. I don't think you would need to change your ob unless you feel uncomfortable, or that they had something to do with your baby being preemie. My first OB absolutely did, my second OB, I don't really think it was his fault, but I do think there were some things he could've done better. I would love to chat with you anytime.