Parents of older preemies - how did it turn out? - Page 3

[OneWithTwo]

My daughter is 3.5 almost. She was a 32 weeker weighing 3lbs 13.5oz and 17.5in
She spent 3 weeks in NICU for keeping her temp up, suck-swallow-breathe, and breathing on her own. She never had cpap, just reg. flow O2.
I am proud to say at 3.5 you would never be able to tell she was preemie. We never had MAJOR setbacks, she had some speech problems, but with the help of early intervention for a year she talks non stop.
I don't forsee any problems with the future...she is completely normal and healthy.

[alliteration]

My now just 5 year old boy was born at 30 weeks 3 days. His apgar was 1 (heart beating) and he spent some 50 odd days in NICU. I had severe pre-eclampsia.

He has had some cavities and some problems with hip/legs since coming home, but nothing major. He's 90 percentile for height and about 25% for weight. He nursed until he was about 4 and a half.

[tropicaldutchtulip]

My girls are now almost 3 1/2 and are doing great despite having a very rough start in life! We have really not had any struggles despite their on going health issues and food allergies. They were born at 30 weeks, 2.10 and 2.7

[Madders]

Mine was a 35 weeker or 36 (0 day) weeker. At 30 months, she still has breathing issues. She is on the small side, but is an average 2 year old.

[Krisis]

My 33 weeker is VERY tall, like so tall people think he's 3 or 4, and he's a good weight for his height. He's never been sick. He was in the NICU for 3 weeks and hasn't been to the doctor apart from WBV in his life.

One thing I've noticed is he seems a little "slower" developing, but that could be DH's side (my mom tells me how early I did things - I was born at 34 weeks though and didn't get out of the NICU for a few months, was only 10 lbs at 6 months etc) He was a little slower to sit on his own, talk, crawl, and walk. But he's doing great and I don't mind the slowerness because it's not on the scary side, if that makes sense.

I'm just proud that he's never been sick. Once. Did I mention I've been sick with scary contagious crap like 10 times since he was born? My kid's immune system ROCKS

[Freedom~Mama]

I feel very blessed that my preemies have done so well and love to share my story. I had severe pre-e and HELLP Syndrome with both my girls. My oldest DD was born at 28 weeks and was under 3 lbs. She was in the NICU for 3 months and did have some reflux issues during her first year but nothing that required surgery. She is almost 5 now and is smart healthy and above the 100% percentile for her height and in the 90% for her weight. My younget was born at 27 weeks and was in the NICU for 3.5 months. She did have surgery on to close her PDA valve when she was 5 days old but other than that has been healthy as a horse ever since. She is 3 and also way above average for height. Both my girls are smart, beautiful and no one ever knows they were preemies and when I tell people they are amazed. Not only that but I was also a preemie and born at 28 weeks (my Mom had severe pre-e with me). I feel like all 3 of us are miracles and I love to tell people about it! I also love hearing happy preemie stories. I know how many issues preemies can potentially face and I just feel so lucky to have two healthy kiddos.

[munkeesmama]

I haven't been around in quite some time, but my preemie, Emma, was born at 27 weeks, 2 days. So 13 weeks early. She is now 4 years old and a few months. Developmentally she seems right on track. She spent 9 weeks in the nicu, required quite a bit of OT/PT, etc. She did have a feeding tube inserted at 8 months due to severe reflux. While developmentally/cognitively she appaears to be on track, Medically she is still fragiel. She still has a feeding tube as she is failure to thrive otherwise, she is also on a host of meds, gets sick easily, tires easily, etc. She does have some genetic issues and a mitochondrial disorder though which we are now thinking CAUSED her prematurity, so it's hard to draw a line in the sand and figure out what is caused by prematurity, and what is caused by her genetic conditions. Overall though, she is doing remarkably well.

[BethLS]

Hey momma!

Howdy,

(Time to come out of lurk-dom)

My first daughter was a 27 weeker born at 2.2. She was on the vent for a couple hours, then onto cpap. She quit that to be free of all breathing devices after a few weeks. She had a staph infection that lead her to isolation (due to an iv being left in her too long &$&#)%@). But 61 days after her birth, she went home and never looked back.

She's now a very awesome, fun, healthy, potty trained, talking in full sentences 4 year old little girl. Besides from being super skinny (and boy can that girl put down the food!) shes perfect. Healthy as they come! Shes not vax'ed, and I think she's had two colds in her life, which werent bad at all.

So yes, more likely than not your little one will be great!

People just want to get their childs story out there (the negative ones) and let you know what they went through...perhaps maybe it makes them feel better knowing that their child isnt the only one?

[Cinder]

my preemie wasn't that early or small by a long shot but she was born at 34 weeks, 4 1/2lbs after diuretics and now at almost 8 years old except for being extremely skinny (25th% for height and below the 3rd% for weight) she is fine...

But we do have close friends to our family that had a preemie 14 years ago. She didn't know she was pregnant till she went to the ER for pre-e (and was sent home twice that night) even though she had went to the doctor about 5 times for what would be common pregnancy symptoms...anyway...due to the size issues pre-e cause, they really don't know what gestation she was, but she was 1lb 2ounces and spent 95 days in the NICU... She has ADD (as did her much older and full term brother) takes medication for it, and has no issues what so ever, and hasn't since about 2 years old. Before 2 she was quite behind on milestones and sick a lot, but she caught up by 2 and is great now. She's also really really small for her family, her mom is 6'1" her dad is 6'6" and both her older brothers (they are 30 and 35 now) are 6'8"...she's only 5'4" and at 14 probably is done growing...but, yea, other than those issues, 100% fine.

[momshelper]

Hi My peemie is about to turn 18 years old and we have absolutely no problems with her since she got out of NICU. She was born at 29 weeks and weighed 1lb 8oz, she was ventilated for two weeks and had a lung collapse. As a toddler I had difficulty getting her to eat - anything! As she was always on the go and never unwell doc said not to bother too much. By the time she started school she was about half a stone underweight but still as bubbly. Now she is about to head off to uni and I couldn't be more proud.

Preemies are fighters, they have to be and I would say the vast majority lead trouble free lives. I know some don't but then again some full term children don't either and my heart and thoughts go out to the parents of those children.

Dont let anyone put fear into your heart or make you feel in anyway bad because our child is healthy. Enjoy this gift of life that you have been asked to guide and protect.

[aamh0343]

Although my preemie is still in the hospital, I just wanted to say that I sympathize with your situation and totally understand what you mean. My baby girl was born at 25 weeks, 1 day and is now 33 weeks. I have found all the NICU nurses to be wonderful, but unfortunately not so much the doctors. It seems as if they dont want to give ANY hope for a completely or mostly healthy future for your baby. I know that they can't predict, and I dont expect them to, but I knew that there had to be some stories out there. My daughter, against all odds and being born at only 1 pd 15 ounces, was only on a ventialtor for a day, C-PAP for a week, and now is completely off all breathing support. If you ask me that's pretty amazing for such a little one and is against what people would normally think would happen with a baby born that early. That is because there ARE exceptions, there are wonderfully inspirational stories.

So pretty much I just want you to not give up or think that there is no hope out there. Much crazier things have happened in this world than a baby born prematurely ending up completely normal, or with minimal health issues. And if you ask me, I would MUCH rather live with hope and just be happy with the present than always worrying about whats around the corner. Life should be taken by moments, with an healthy outlook on the future. When life plans change, its beyond our control but I sure as heck do not think that I need to expect them to change before they do!

I hope you and your baby end up healthy and happy, and I hope that what I wrote can actually be made sense of. haha

[aamh0343]

Also, I would like to add that my cousin was a preemie baby born at 26 weeks and was under 3 pounds and grew up to be a very healthy, smart young man. The only problems he had were bronchitis every fall until he was about 10 and he had to wear glasses as a youth. Nothing to big if you ask me!

[VroomieMama]

On April 29th, my twin daughters turned 1 years old and they're doing really great! They were 33 weeks when they came and I was terrified. 1 months of NICU visits and it was so difficult. I was so happy and relieved when they were ready to go home. The girls are so much fun to watch because things they do to each other are so funny and cute! I love having twins!

On the other hand, my nephew who is now 26 years old and his girlfriend had a baby past December and the baby was 5 months too early. The baby weighted 2 lbs and 4 oz and now the baby is 11 lbs but is still in hospital. I asked nephew recently for updates and he said that his son is not doing good and he does not know if the baby will ever go home. I am really worried for them and hoping for success story.

[guerrabug45]

My beautiful boy was born 34.2 weeks (premature rupture of membranes). He spent 21 days in the NICU while he grew, learned to breathe on his own, developed sucking, and regulated body temp. He was intubated and on a feeding tube. I was a wreck, my love for him kept me going and the pictures in the NICU of before and after photos of preemies gave me hope. He is now 6.5 years old and the most perfect child. He is in the 75-90th percentiles for weight and height. He "skipped" kindergarten and moved onto first grade early. He will enter 2nd grade this fall. He is a great athlete, has an amazing sense of humor, is the sweetest thing ever, and is as cute as a button. He is healthier than most of his peers (due to extended breastfeeding until he was two, handwashing, and a healthy diet). Just because our babies were born early doesn't mean they will have health or developmental issues.

[BetsyNY]

From the title of this thread I thought you might just be looking for information.
I see now that you only want a specific kind of story.

My boys are healthy, but not without their issues that I won't elaborate on here.

[srigney]

30 Week 1 Day Twins - 12 Years Later

Seems like a life-time ago & I have no idea why I looked this up today...but I found your post and I had the same worries as you.

I went into pre-term labor at 27 weeks. I was able to get 3 rounds of steriod shots and LOTS of mag. sulfate (yuck).

My daughter was 3.5 lbs. She had a level 3 brain bleed and we were very worried about her in the first couple of weeks (lots of prayers). Her bleed "resolved" itself so were very happy to say the least. I did worry about long-term effects.

Today, she is "gifted" in all of her studies, esp. math. Not a single sign of her permaturity or the brain bleed.

My son came through just fine too. He was on a vent for a couple of days and he did have allergy related asthma early on, but has since outgrown it.

Hope all works out for you and your family. These forums are a great resource!

[nova22]

My baby was born at 33 weeks and is fine except for constipation because she refuses to eat. She is 16mo.

A friend had two preemies, each born before 30 weeks. One had some vision issues so she needed a minor outpatient surgery when she was 5 or 6. Otherwise she is in absolutely perfect health. Her other child is perfectly healthy. They are 7 and 5 now.

[jkpmomtoboys]

Just came back on MDC after 2 1/2 years and saw this and had to respond.

My 29 weeker just turned 10 years old (!!!). Born early after a crash c/s due to abruption from a complete placenta previa.

In the NICU for 50 days - touch and go for awhile.

Now you would never know. His height and weight are normal. He has been identified as academically gifted by his school. Athletically talented and just an all-around curious, sensitive and independent kid.

We're planning our first visit back to the ICN (UCSF) soon so he can see where he was born.

Sometimes all's well that ends well...

[Student EN]

i need help

hello
my name is corrina and im a student enrolled nurse and i need a hand with my presention on premature babies.
if anyone could possibly help me it would be much appreciated.
what im looking for is an mum who can tell me about their experience with their little one in NICU and how they felt about the experience.
If you are interested please contact me by my email, [e-mail]

Thanks

[mrs.rich]

What's due to prematurity and what was going to happen anyway?

My preemies were born at 27 weeks at 2lbs 5 and 2lbs 10 ounces. We went through a LOT of challenges in the NICU, which you don't need to hear, but the outcome is that they are both healthy and happy 19 month olds. Mentally, I give them a lot of latitude on 'hitting their developmental milestones' because I am just so grateful that they are here with us. They are hitting them, though, and we're enjoying every minute of it. I'd try to stay off the negative boards and just be confident in the health you see in your children. Besides, who is to say what might be due to prematurity and what could have developed naturally? Yes, a lot can be attributed to prematurity, but you're definitely past most of that. My well known preemie pediatrician calls my boys, 'former preemies' and I like that. If anything else should arise, we'll take that as it comes. For now, we're happy with our health.