Comments:
My 4lb.6oz 27-week preemie born nine years ago recently scored 99%tile in math and 92%tile in reading on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills given to all third graders. After his birth I suffered a year of severe depression due in part to my worries about the long-term effects of prematurity. One thing I did religiously after his birth which I believe made an enormous difference is I gave him "kangaroo care" about 18 hours a day for the first two months of his life. I insisted on it in the neonatal unit and had to argue with nurses and doctors to do it. When he got home he laid for most hours of the day skin to skin on my chest. Don't assume the worst and do what you think is important to help your baby.

Comments:
I have a friend whose premature baby just had its 34 surgery this past monday today is July 25th 2002. The baby was born along around the time of september 11 and has beaten all types of odds! The hospital is 2 1/2 hours away a $70.00 trip each time and the lady is a single young mother with 3 other children you see the power of God for the 34 surgerys if you can help please call 252-447-8888 with any suggestions on how I can help this individual with fundraisers newscoverage etc.... Please call Christine or pass story on to someone who believes in miracles and 34 surgerys at 7 months and still surviving call if you can help!!Babies name is Chade Shearon a little girl she's up to 10lbs call me if you can help 252-447-8888 Christine Coaster 103 Cherry Branch Dr. Havelock N 28532

Comments:
On Nov.1,1999 (All Saints Day) my daughter Kylie Rose was born at 33 weeks old. It was my first child and from the very start of my pregnancy there were complications. The doctors had me on Magnesium Sulfate- for 2 weeks before she was born to try and stop my labor. Kylie Rose had other plans and she entered the world at 2:11 pm. Her Bright Red hair matched her spit fire personality. No one was going to tell her that she was too small or too fragile. She had the habit of ripping out her tubes and my little angel the day after she came off the ventilator spit her pacifer out to the other side of the isolette. She was and still is a fighter. She is turning 3 this November and every morning when I wake up and she her beautiful smile I thank God for all the wonderful doctors and nurses who helped save my precious baby's life. I truly believe that One day at a time we were able to get thru her stay at the NICU because of these wonderful and dedicated people. I used to pray every night while Kylie was in the hospital. I had anger, guilt and frustration that my baby was in the NICU fighting for her life. I wondered every day how and why this happened. The strength of our loving friends and family helped us get thru that challenging time. I am happy to say Kylie is healthy and the happiest little girl I've ever encountered. She is the joy and love of our lives. After 12 years since I started college, I have returned to finish up my degree. I will graduate next year and my studies have now changed from Physical therapy to Nursing and I am specializing in neonatal care. God does have a reason for everything happening. It is now my turn to give back all the love and dedication the staff had for my child in her time of need. I would love to hear from you and your stories. It is wonderful both on a professional and personal note to here such courageous stories. God Bless all of you. You are all special people

Comments:
My son was born on 7/29/2001 at 23 weeks gestation. He was 1lb. 2 oz. and 10 1/2 inches long. He was in NICU for 5 months and then moved to a rehab. He was not feeding on the bottle so a GT tube was put in a 7 months. He has stage II ROP. A heart murmur was closed up by ligation at 3 weeks old. He will be a year old next week. He is now 16 lbs. and 23 inches long and doing very well. Just be there for your preemies, don't be afraid to hold them and love them even though they're so tiny.

Comments:
Hello! I have had 5 premature labors and 5 premature babies -- lots of medication, bedrest, you name it! Our eldest was the 7 weeks early and 4 1/2 lbs. He was born back in 1980 and it doing really well now. He was given a tiny handmade hat that brought me so much hope that I vowed to make more for other moms who needed them and that is what I have done with my new website: Bev's Country Cottage. You can find tons of free patterns for preemies and others. Please help yourself and make what you need, or what other moms might need for their little ones. :-) Bev http://www.bevscountrycottage.com