Hello and welcome to our first every Micro Preemie Monday! I’m so excited to have you here, and to share some amazing stories with you. I’m even more excited to share some beautiful, super strong babies with you.
Many people have probably heard the term “Preemie” before, but “Micro Preemie” may be unfamiliar. According to About.com, “a micro preemie is a baby born weighing less than 1 pound, 12 ounces (800 grams) or before 26 weeks gestation.”
To give you some perspective, a full-term baby is born between 38 and 40 weeks. My oldest was born at 38 weeks, and he weighed 6 lbs 13 oz.
My twins, however, were born at just 25 weeks, 5 days, so they fit in this category of Micro Preemie. My little guy was only 1 lb 7 oz, but his brother was a whopping 2 lbs 2 oz. Still, by the definition, they were Micro Preemies. While all babies that are born premature face many obstacles, these guys face special challenges being born so early and so small. They often spend a long time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU,) and are very sick. They usually need a lot of assistance breathing, regulating their temperature, and are very sensitive to touch. They often have to fight infections, brain bleeds, and a whole host of complications from being born so early and so small.
I’ve shared a lot about my babies and their challenges on the blog. I share them to inspire and give hope to others who may be in the same situation, and also to educate people. Raising awareness is a powerful way to fight premature birth, and one of the reasons I’m such a strong supporter of the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes tries to raise awareness about Premature Birth, and to give every baby a healthier start in life.
Each Monday, I will share about a Micro Preemie(s) and their journey. Some are at the beginning, some are recently out of the hospital, and some have already grown into remarkable kids.
While each story is unique, premature birth is not. 1 in 9 babies are born premature, according to the March of Dimes research. The chance that you or someone you know has a premature baby is a very real possibility. These families need support, and to know they are not alone.
Today, I’d like to share about another family who is just beginning their life with Micro Preemies.
I met Renee in a support group on Facebook. Like me, she also has twin boys, and they were born at a very similar gestation. Unlike my twins, Renee’s each had their own placenta and sac, but there’s still a chance they could be identical. They will wait to have them tested until they are older. Here is Renee’s story.
1. Tell us about your babies.
Liam & Kaiden, born May 18th 2015 @ 25 weeks +4 days. Weight: Liam 1 lb 12 ounces & Kaiden 1 lb 11.5 ounces.
2. How long was your Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) stay? What was the hardest part?
Just started our nicu journey. So far it will be two weeks this Monday. The hardest part is not being able to hold and nurse my babies. I’m a very hands on, attachment parenting mommy. It’s killing me inside to not be able to nurture them.
3. Do you know what caused your babies’ premature birth?
One of my placentas abrupted, and then my water broke. It was guessed that there was some infection due to many yeast infections.
4. How are you and your babies doing today?
I am doing the best I can. My husband and I are closer than ever, and our other 3 babes (Emma 8, Austin 8, and Carter almost 2) are learning a new way of life. We travel 2 hours north of where we live to see our babies, and it’s been a big adjustment for us. We are still in the very new stages of our life’s transition into being a nicu family. Liam and Kaiden are fighting warriors. We’ve had set backs. Kaiden had a grade 2 & 4 Brain bleed and Liam had surgery 2 days ago on his bowels. They amaze me, from a clinical stand point, even with their scary problems, they are very stable and are doing really well given their circumstances.
5. What advice would you give to a new Micro Preemie Mom?
My advice thus far, since I’m just beginning this journey is, solely to trust in God and lean on him. Have hope even if it seems very grim at times, Cherish every single moment, reach out for help and let people help you in any way you need.
I would like to thank Renee for sharing her story, and ask that you all send your good thoughts, prayers, etc. to her and her family as they go through this journey. Please feel free to post any comments and/or questions for Renee, and I will make sure she reads and answers them, if she can.
I hope you’ll join us next Monday for another inspiring story.
And feel free to join me every day here on the blog for stories about my micro preemies!
I also had twin sons but they are now 18 years old. I delivered at full term 39 weeks. They were both good size babies at 7lbs.5oz and 6lbs.7oz. I’m glad your sharing Renee’s story it will be helpful for others.
Thank you Michelle! I appreciate you reading their story.
You are fighters. Stay strong
Thank you!
Hello! So beautiful this post! But i don’t have a baby, i’m only 23 years old but i can’t see the time to share this type of emotions!
Thank you!
Babies are very strong and powerful individuals . They can go through so much and still be just fine. I will be thinking of their family in their time of need.
Thank you!
Renee thank you for sharing your strong little miracles with us! We did this 18 months ago and I honestly would never want to relive it. It’s all about adjusting to new normals, and one new normal is that there will be very bad, very hard days and then there will be blissful, seemingly perfect days too. I struggled with talking to them when they were so tiny because we were on the main path from the door into the Nicu and nurses station so there was always people around. I regret that so much now. I wish I would have told them stories about their sisters and read books and played music or sung to them. But I was too embarrassed, which is utterly ridiculous when I think about it. Good luck and prayers to your whole family, especially your baby boys.
Thank you so much Sophia! I will make sure Renee reads your comment.
Oh my gosh, I cannot begin to imagine what this journey must be like. My three daughters were all born full term, actually all were late. How wonderful that you can share this story to give information to others that maybe going through this situation. Best of luck to you 🙂
Thank you so much Sue!
I think it’s great the way you shared information about your own experience having micro-preemies to lead into the story about Renee’s beautiful babies. Such a beautiful story about this and I loved the pictures, such sweet, tiny babies!
Thank you so much Laure!
My sister and I are twins born at 35 weeks! Praying for your family.
Awesome! Thanks for reading and for praying.
Oh, thank you for sharing this story of these two beautiful babies. I’ll be thinking of this family. Babies are very resilient and strong!
Thank you Tricia!
As a mom of twins who were born prematurely, I really enjoyed reading this post and could truly relate to so much of it, even though my kiddos weren’t early enough or small enough to be micro preemies. To Renee I would say … Hang in there! Babies are tough little fighters, and one day down the road, you will look at your (big) kids in amazement, realizing how very, very far they’ve come!
Thank you Shelley!
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing your story. I cant imagine what your family has gone through but it’s so amazing how tough your little ones are being born so little. My thoughts and prayers will be with your family and you continue this journey. And thank you Shann, for sharing your story and for starting this series. Not many people know the struggles of a micro preemie family. It’s so important to bring awareness and also to help others in a similar experience.
Thank you Tarynn! I will share your comments with Renee too.
These micro preemie moms and dads are so strong! What a tough road at the beginning. And thank goodness for modern medicine that help these babies grow up strong and healthy!
Yes! Thank you Brooke!
Wow, what an incredible story! It sounds like community is very important for parents of micro preemies, so I think it’s wonderful that you’re helping people find each other here.
Thank you Katie!
My baby was only in the NICU for a week and it was a nightmare. Prayers and best wishes for these little boys and their parents.
Any time in the NICU is just awful. Thank you for the prayers and best wishes!
my water broke at 25 weeks and I was hospitalized until 34 weeks and then delivered my son Gabriel. He was in NICU for a month and wow just seeing those pictures of yours brought me back to those long nights sitting with him. I know it is hard now but just looking at my boy now(he will be 6 this month) I can’t believe how far he has come. I will be praying for you and your little ones.
Thank you so much Jenn!
Prayers for both of you on this journey. So glad you have each other’s support!
Thank you Wendy!
My heart aches for the little babies that have to suffer so early on. Thank you for sharing Renee’s touching story with us.
Young Love Mommy
Thank you so much Ellen!
They are adorable! Sending love and prayers that they grow, stay healthy, and are home soon.
Thank you!
I’m sorry that this wasn’t the ideal situation but good for you for sharing your story! It’s a hard one to tell (I had a daughter in the NICU) and will never forget the feeling of being there. Lots of love and hugs your way!!
Thank you Katie!
Micro premies!! I am so glad you shared Renee’s story! This is very inspiring! Great post!
Thank you Tricia!