Welcome to Micro Preemie Monday!
For those of you that have been here before, thank you for all your support. If you’re new to the blog or new to reading on Mondays, let me give you the scoop.
Mondays are the days we celebrate Miracles! I have two of my own….my twins. They were born at 25 weeks, 5 days at 1 lb 7 oz and 2 lbs 2 oz. I share my story on the blog to give others hope, and I wanted to give other families that same chance, so this series was born.
There are many definitions for a micro preemie, but here on my blog, I feature babies that were either born before 28 weeks and/or under 2 lbs. To give you some perspective, a full-term baby is born between 38 and 40 weeks.
Now, let’s meet a very special guy. Today, we learn about Zander, as told by his mom, Katrina.
1.Tell us about your baby.
My baby’s first name is Zander, he was born at 27 weeks gestation. His birth weight was 425 grams (15oz) I was told he was the size of a 20 weeker and they wouldn’t save him unless he proved himself. I’m glad he did. A year later, he’s 11 lb 6 oz
2. How long were you in the NICU? What was the hardest part?
We were in the nicu for 180 days, which is 6 months. The hardest part was leaving him. When I got discharged, seeing him suffering and going through surgery after surgery! I hated it so much, and I hated myself feeling guilty that I caused all this.
3.Do you know what caused your premature birth?
I developed preeclampsia at my 23 week ultrasound. I never got to go home. Instead, I got admitted and wasn’t able to leave until two weeks after he was born 🙁 I almost had a stroke!
4.How are you and your son doing today?
My son and I are doing great. We still have set backs, but it’s worth it! I’d do anything for him. 🙂 He’s 14 months old, which is 11 months adjusted. He in Physical Therapy Developmental clinics. He came home on Oxygen and with an NG Feeding Tube, but now he is tube free. It’s only been one month!
He is now on super thick formula and breast milk.
5.What advice would you give to other preemie parents?
Try to take it day by day, and never give up hope! Use your support system. You are not alone. I’m always here for you no matter what 🙂 It’s a long, hard road, but it’s worth it in the end. 🙂
This is a really inspirational post! I’m glad everything worked out so well, thanks for sharing!
Aww, great story! It’s nice that it has a happy ending and that Zander is doing well and has come so far! Prayers that he’ll keep getting bigger and stronger! My son’s name is Xander too, spelled differently, but still lol 🙂
I enjoyed reading this! I too am the mother of a preemie. However he is going to be 20 in December! So hard to believe. He was born at 28 weeks..weighing in at a whopping 3 pounds! My second son was almost 10 pounds, so we understand now why he was a big preemie. I was lucky and he only had to stay in the hospital for about a month. He was strong and a fighter. But I remember the days of having him attached to a heart monitor, tube feedings, visiting nurses, etc. It’s so hard as a mother to leave the hospital without your baby. But it’s a journey that is definitely worth it!
3 lbs at 28 weeks is amazing! 🙂 I’m so glad to hear he’s doing well now.
This breaks my heart! I’m so glad Zander is doing well, though. What a champ. And great name! 🙂
xo, Caitlin
And Possibly Dinosaurs
What a beautiful story!
Christine Maxwell Hand to Heart
Zander is so cute. His picture in the ICU made me tear up. Such a tiny little miracle.
It amazes me how far health care has come – and how wonderful that is! I cannot imagine being in the hospital that long, but he sure seems worth it 🙂
Wow what a cutie!! I love his name too! I am always so amazed at the strength these families have! Truly amazing!
What an amazing story! I am so glad he was a fighter too since he looks like such a fun & sweet little boy now! 🙂
What a cutie and such a fantastic heart felt story! Mom and little guy are both incredibly strong!
Wow, what a strong mama! And what a sweet, adorable little guy!
Wow! This is absolutely amazing! He’s adorable.
1. Babies in glasses is SO FREAKING ADORABLE.
2. I can’t even wrap my head around how tiny this baby is. I cannot even.
Sara’s Organized Chaos
Wow all the best for you and your miracle baby. Children are such a blessing to the heart
Aww, what a cutie! I love the name too – I have a friend who named her son that and I’ve always liked it.
What a precious baby! So happy to hear he no longer needs a feeding tube. Hugs to Zander.
These micro preemie stories always break my heart and make me so happy that they fought through the struggles at the same time. So precious.
This post is so beautiful and Zander is an inspiration, lovely story.
What a cutie!
What a wonderful story about Zander! I am so glad he and his mom are doing well 🙂 He’s a cutie!!
WOW! You truly are blessed with strong little miracle babies surviving at 25 and 27 weeks! I’m sending this to my sister in law. Her baby was born around 34 weeks I believe… he was a tiny little guy, but he’s now 3 months and doing great. So happy to read such inspiring posts.
Thank you so much!
These babies do amazing things…..I am also the mother of a Micro Preemie….very similar to Zander…..Zaniah was born at 27wk at 440g and she is such a fighter, she amazes me everyday. Thanks for sharing
So wonderful to hear that Lacey! If you’d ever like to share her story on the blog, please let me know.
what a sweet boy Zander is! So glad he “proved himself” to the doctors. What does that even mean though? Seems like an insensitive way for the doctors to phrase it at such a stressful time. But he’s a fighter, and that’s the most important thing. Such an inspirational story. Thanks for sharing!
Great and inspiring post – thank you so much for sharing 🙂
What a little fighter! Another amazing story about an amazing family!
What a sweet and strong boy Zander is! He is so cute and I am so happy that he was able to “prove himself”! I cannot imagine being in the beautiful mother’s position. Keeping their strength and the hospital staff got him through this journey. Thank you so much for sharing!!
It’s amazing how far he has come since his birth! He sounds like an amazing little boy.
Hey Shann, another great and inspiring story. God bless the baby and hats off to Katrina for being so brave in her hard times.
What a miracle baby. So grateful he proved himself.
What a fighter and he is just too cute. Thank you for sharing Katrina and Zander’s story. I wish them all the best!
Cori
Such an amazing story! Just look at those smiles!
What a beautiful baby! I am so happy to hear that he is happy and doing well. These stories always make me cry. Thanks Shann for hosting such an inspirational foreground for those who preemies.
Thank you for coming by to read them, Jess. 🙂
Oh wow, such a strong baby boy and Mama! I had a 7 weeks premature baby and I thought that road was rough.
Hey Shann/Katrina,
I truly love hearing about the strength in both mum and baby. The tough times must be extraordinarily hard to cope. Having to leave bubs in hospital and operations must be such a stressful ordeal. And yet the words of hope that come through when I read these post is uplifting. Such a great way to present Mondays.
Rachel.