I have puppies who weigh more than 8.6 ounces at birth.
For all the general wonderment and talk of miracles, the brutal truth is that most extremely premature babies face a lifetime of disability and dependancy.
I have puppies who weigh more than 8.6 ounces at birth.
For all the general wonderment and talk of miracles, the brutal truth is that most extremely premature babies face a lifetime of disability and dependancy.
Yes, and another brutal truth is that a significant number of premature infants were conceived via IVF.
Define ‘extremely premature’. In this case, I agree. But I have a niece who was 3 months premature. You wouldn’t know it now, nor 16 years ago when she was 2.
And, in my book, skipping your third trimester is pretty darn premature.
IVF babies, even if they are full-term, seem to have a greater risk of health problems.
Agreed, Kate – the prognosis might not be very rosy. It is still amazing to me to see just how far medical/science advancements have come, and what can be done. Not saying it should be, but the medical limits keep stretching further and further.
That being said.. I am sure the parents of this child do consider it a miracle to have their child alive.
Sadly, even with all the amazing advancements in medicine, extremely premature babies do face a lifetime of problems. I myself used to wonder if all these medical advances were really for the good and what good did helping these poor babies really do. Obviously Mother Nature didn’t intend for them to survive so what business did we have to intervene? Then, eight years ago, that train of thought (and my whole world) changed with the premature birth of my twin daughters (no IVF whatsoever). At ten weeks premature and a comparatively large 2lb 14oz and 3lb 2oz, we faced countless possible problems but, with the exception of a PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus) with one that required correction at the age of one, they are healthy, beautiful and intelligent young ladies with no health issues thus far. We got lucky but modern medicine helped� big time.
Now I just pray that I survive the puberty years!