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My little granddaughter was born in April of this year. She was 11 weeks early and weighed 2 pounds, 2 and 3/4 ounces and was 13 and 1/2 inches long. My daughter had HELLP syndrome, which is like a really bad case of toxemia. Holly was born vaginally a few minutes after the doctors had decided to do a C-section. I guess she was determinied to come out on her own terms! Her birth was attended by myself and my parents, Holly being the first birth my dad has ever witnessed. Of course, there were 13 doctors and nurses in the room, all being taught how to deal with gross prematurity. They even had a set of special preemie forceps to get her out with. (and they really DID look like salad tongs!) Holly's little placenta was only they size of a saucer and the doctors examined it closely to try and discover how this little baby stayed attached as long as she did! They also drew out her cord blood, which will hopefully help someone. Holly's apgar scores were 7 and 8, and she looked like a little featherless baby bird. SHe stayed in the NICU for 10 weeks because she had trouble digesting her food. Of course, I was a basket case. There had never been a premature birth in my entire family, and we were naturally on unfamiliar grounds. I was watching Holly's older brother, working part time, raising 2 other grandchildren and nursing my husband back to health after his back surgery. So I had plenty of stress even without this miracle coming so unexpectedly. My daughter's husband was out of town on the road as a lighting technitian for the rock band U-2 and was not able to come home until the middle of May, so my daughter had to do a lot of the NICU visiting and "kangarooing" by herself. She did the 70 mile round trip almost daily, but was sure to try and take off at least one day a week to give herself a rest. She tried pumping her breast milk, but after 5 weeks gave up becuase the baby wasn't even able to digest it and was getting all her nutrition from her central line. This little miracle overcame infections and blood transfusions, respirators and needle sticks at all hours of the day and night. It took her awhile to adapt to life as a real baby. we all marveled daily as we looked in her isolette and could literally see her developing as if she were still in the womb. She was SO TINY! She assumed positions that she may have been in if she were still growing in mom's tummy. It was really scary to see all those wires and tubes. At times I almost dispaired because it seemed she wouldn't make it home. But there were other babies who were much smaller and had more problems. I guess the most serious of the problems was not being able to digest food long after the time that the doctors and nurses all felt she SHOULD have been able to. Once again, our Holly seemes to be on her OWN schedule. When the time came, Holly started eating like a little piggie. She developed a bowel infection which all but sent me into a panic attack, but a few doses of antibiotic and she was just FINE! She has grown slowly but steadily. Whereas most full sized babies sort of slow their growth after 6 months, she continues to grow at a steady, slow rate. She is 8 months old now and weighs over 12 pounds. She eats cereal, fruit and vegetables twice a day and has learned to hold her bottle. She usually drinks about 3 and a half full bottles a day. She can roll all over the living room floor and retrieves small onjects off the carpet. She jabbers, squeals, and blows rasberries all the time. She loves to grab hair and neclaces and sort of "coughs" to get your attention. She was a really whiny crybaby at first, but now she is the happiest little girl there is. She just rolls over, puts her thumb in her mouth and goes to sleep at the drop of a hat. But don't make her wait for her dinner! Big brother is adapting well to his new role. There were so many times that I had such fear and worry! I look at her now and just can't believe it is the same baby. From the little bird has sprung a little live doll baby. SHe had NO brain bleeds. She was on oxygen for less than 24 hours. So far the doctors have detected no visual or hearing problems. She is just little! She is also a little on the short size, but everyone assures us that she will catch up. I read everything I could get my hands on during the NICU weeks. I asked questions, chatted with other preemie moms and learned EVERYTHING I could. I couldn't get used to the attitude the nurses and doctor's method of keeping us sort of "uniformed." that is, no one could tell us that we had a good chance of Holly making it or not. It was all "one day at a time." Holly is a beautiful, brown eyed, fuzzy blonde baby and each time I see her I have to thank GOd for her life and for the skills that the medical professionals used to keep her alive. If there's anyone out there who has just become the parents of a preemie, write me! I needed hope back then and so many people wrote back with such good survival stories that encouraged me. In one of the classes my daughter took, she was told that her marrage might not survie this ordeal. Unfortunately, Holly's father decided to end the marriage and is moving out of state. That is the only dark thing to have come out of this. But of course, my daughter got to keep the one best thing about her ex-Holly!

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In Loving Memeroy of: Payton Ryleigh Burgess 09-30-00 Kolby Greyson Burgess 11-30-01 12-17-01 How softly you came into our lives.But what a mark your tiny footprints have made On our hearts.

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Our God is an AWSOME God!! I have been reading all of the WONDERFUL stories in this guestbook and it brings me to tears! Look what the Lord has done!! He is working miracles in our children. My son was born at 30 weeks at 2 pounds 1 oz. and 14 & 3/4 inches long, due to preeclampsia and placental abruption. He was in the NICU for 6 weeks and came home at 3 pounds 14 oz. I cannot BEGIN to tell you how hard the whole NICU thing was and even the first months at home. I can't even believe i'm speaking of it as past tense. For all of you parents that are reading this and going through the first stages of the "preemie dance" i just want to tell you to pray, pray, pray, and learn to have faith! Because God will get you through it! It may seem like your little one will never come home but he will... and even though it will be such a great thing, it is also very scary. But these preemie babes are STRONG AND STRONG WILLED. My son is 9 months old (7months corrected) and 20 lbs now! It seems like no one knows what it's like unless they have whent through it themselves. And i am interested in getting to know other preemie moms and sharing stories. Please feel free to e-mail me. I'll be happy to answer any questions and hear stories. Stay strong, and remember THE ONLY STUPID QUESTION IS THE ONE YOU DON'T ASK. Take advantage of having all those nurses and docs around you. You'll miss their expertise when you go home! Bless you all and have a Great Christmas!!

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My son, Aaron was born 6 weeks early and weighed in at 3lbs. 14oz. Aaron is now 4 years old! My daughter, Savannah was born 7 weeks early and weighed in at 2lbs. 3oz. Savannah is now 6 months old! They are both doing great and are truly blessings from God.

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I recently gave birth to preemie triplets. Our daughter, Lindsay was born on November 2, 2001, at 23 weekks and 2 days. She weighed 1 lb 3 oz, and was 11" long. She has a grade III brain hemmorage, and just underwent surgery to help drain the fluid from her berain, causing hydrocephalus. She also is on the vent and has chronic lung disease. But, she is so strong. She is truly our little fighter. After 2 weeks more on bed rest and a variety of labor stopping drugs, I deelivered Kyle and Sarah at 25 weeks and 2 days. Kyle weighed 1 lb. 14 oz, and Sarah weighed 1 lb. 11 oz. They both have had scares with NEC, and Kyle was just put on the vent last week when he developeed a bad infection. Sarah is on a CPAP machine, and requires only 23% oxygen. I don't know why I went into labor so early, other than the fact that I was carrying 3 babies. We know that they will make it, though. They are truly a blessing.

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I'm thrilled to see all of this wonderful info for parents of premature babies. I wished I'd had my computer 4/20/00 when Ronnie was born. He was 12 weeks early. 2 ounds and 14 oz, 15" Now he is tearing the house apart.