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| Name: Tom and Sherry | MY URL: Visit Me |
| My Email: Email Me | Location: WV |
Comments:
We went for a routine transvag u/s and heart echo at 22 weeks, there had been a huge amount of stress in the pregnancy and resulted in trendelenberg for one month. We delivered Isabella on 08-31-07 weighing 1 lb. 14 oz. a 26 weeker, she had a grade 1 bleed on one side which disappeared on the third scan and we have undergone heart surgery as well with all the other NICU ups and downs ending up in isolation for noro....we finally brought our beautiful baby home on all that lovely NICU equipment this past Friday night late. Both of us being in healthcare we remained calm through most but now we are home and literally stuck in one room as it is so hard to be portable through the home. We have had a few scares but when I found this site I thought it would be great for us. Isabella does have a website for any of you that want to view her story and get hope, and encouragement of what a true fighter she is and how love, reading them stories and them knowing your love will conquer many battles. www.caringbridge.org type in isabellapeyton also, many of you may want to start a page on caringbridge it is wonderful.

| Name: Julie Young | MY URL: Visit Me |
| My Email: Email Me | Location: |
Comments:
Hi, My name is Julie Young and I was pregnant for the first time due on December 20, 2007 a little boy, first child in my family (and my husband's) in 26 years. Our son, Jaxon arrived on October 23, 2007 at 31 5/7 wks. On October 18, I woke up to what I thought was urine in my panties! I thought my husband, (always one to pick on me) would make fun of me for "peeing on myself." So, I snuck out of the bed and into the bathroom, and I thought "that wasn't urine" But, I work in an OB/GYN clinic, so I called one of our doctors, she said in a very calm voice, "just come on in let me take a look." I grabbed my purse and walked out the door. I had no idea that I would be there until I delivered my baby. When they measured my fluid, I only had 2% of what I was supposed to have. They put me on magnesium because I was having contractions that were changing my cervix. I had no idea. We were really getting scared when the doctors said that we wouldn't be going home until I delivered and that could be up to 3 weeks, but in reality, they didn't think I would make it a week. And I didn't. They had given me betamethasone injections to mature Jaxon's lungs. Jaxon decided that he was ready to come on Monday night the 22nd. I went into labor and 19 hrs later he was born. 3lbs 1 oz and 16 inches long. Being in the NICU was really difficult, but the staff made it really easy on us as far as trying to make us feel at home. But, I decided to go back to work at one week postpartum, to save my vacation days for when Jaxon would come home. If you have to do this, try not to let anyone make you feel bad. Each person has to deal with their individual NICU experiences differently, personally if I hadn't gone back to work, I would have gone insane. I couldn't stay at the hospital 24/7 and I had to get something normal again. Nothing was normal about traveling back and forth everyday. Plus, my employer really worked with us as far as letting me go to the NICU as often as I needed to feed him and hold him. Finally after 3 1/2 weeks, my little miracle came home--November 15, 2007. Our prayers had been answered. He is perfect! About 4 lbs and 12 oz and 17 3/4 in long. It's unbelievable how much you can love someone so much that you just met! My husband and I feel like we are the luckiest 2 people in the world. If you are having to go through this experience, the best advice that I have is to ask a ton of questions to whoever is taking care of you and your baby. Do as much as you can for your baby while you are in the hospital, changing diapers, feeding, etc. Make your life as normal as you can and get lots of rest. Gather your support people and let them help you with day to day stuff so that you aren't so tired that you can't take care of yourself and your baby. You and your new family are the most important thing! Enjoy everyday no matter how trying it becomes. "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!"

| Name: Letrice Slaughter | MY URL: Visit Me |
| My Email: Email Me | Location: Laurelton, NY |
Comments:
My daughter Madisyn Danyelle was born November 5th, 2007 at 32 weeks. She was 2lbs and 10 ozs. She was a little small for her age because I had pre-clamsia. She is amazing. She never had to go on a ventilator or oxyen. Right now she is off all IV's. She weights now 2lbs 14ozs. I can't wait to take her home. I advised all mothers to pump their breast for milk. Thats the best thing for a premuture baby. May God bless all mothers out there who have premature babies.

| Name: Marcus Kimbell | MY URL: Visit Me |
| My Email: Email Me | Location: Childrens hospital of boston |
Comments:
i have ten kids premature from 20 weeks to 30 weeks genestation.

| Name: Kelly | MY URL: Visit Me |
| My Email: Email Me | Location: Pullman Wa. |
Comments:
Hi My name is Kelly. My daughter is one of the amazing sucess stories. She was born at 24 weeks weighing 1 ib and being 12 inches long. I never felt as though she would not survive. The doctors told me about all the bad things that could/would happen and thank god she sailed through with very few. She was in the NICU for three months and came home on her scheduled due date, right before Thanksgiving. Talk about having something to be thankful for! Other than getting RSV 1 month after she came home she is an incredibly happy healthy 17lb one year old today. She has no developmental delays. My message...Believe in the strength of your child and do not let the "could happens" over shadow the positive thinking.
