Warning - this post will contain pictures of premature babies that you may not want to see. If you don't want to see them, don't read any further.
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I was feeling baby move around this morning, and I had a thought:
I've held babies the same age as Smudge.
Viability is largely considered to be 24 weeks, which I will be on wednesday, but I've taken care of babies as young as 23w2d. Not that the outcomes are always good (i think my first TRULY positive outcome was with a baby 24w5d), but it's kind of surreal to remember those babies that were the same age as mine is now.
Baby M - born at 23w2d, after mom was leaking fluid and on hospital bedrest for 3 weeks. Pictured at just under 4 pounds almost at almost 34 weeks.
They can cry.
Baby A - born at 23w3d - the surviving triplet. I was the first one to touch her when she was born, and the last one to touch one of her brothers when he passed 3 days later. Pictured closer to 8 months old.They have hair.
Baby T - born at 25w5d - pictured closer to 29 weeksTheir little arms and legs are so small, a wedding band can fit like a bracelet.
They're such little tiny fighters.
Baby D - born at 26w0d. Fighter from day 1. Now a thriving 3 year old.I hope my little tiny fighter stays put for a good while longer.
It really puts things into perspective, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteIf those little fighters can fight for life, I can hold on a little longer before giving up and fight longer to have one.
Thank you for this today. I needed some perspective.
<3
I'm glad that you put this up...even at that early stage, they are little people in there. Small and all.
ReplyDeleteWow. Thank you! it makes everything worth fighting for huh??? The pic of the wedding band as a bracelet really made me stop and think!
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