Have you hugged a preemie today?
The most reassuring thing that has happened to us during the past few weeks is that a surprising number of people (including friends we know and formerly complete strangers) have told us that either:
-They were born prematurely (and turned out just fine), or
-Their child was born prematurely (and turned out just fine), or
-Their sibling, friend, in-law, etc. was born prematurely (once again, they turned out just fine).
This doesn't seem to be something that people just mention in everyday conversations (ala "Hello, my name is Bob. I'm was born way early..."). But people are happy to volunteer the information when it is relevant. It is very nice to hear from folks who have been in the same situation and have had a good outcome. That's not to diminish the potential risks Mathias is facing but we prefer to focus on the positives!
For the stats nerd in you...
Turns out, about 7-8% of babies born in have low birth weight (somewhat synonymous with pre-term delivery). Of those, about one in 10 have what they call Extremely Low Birth Weight (< 1000g). They also go by the perhaps overly cutesy term 'micropreemie'. In all, there are just under 30,000 of them born per year. So, if you do your math... look around you and one in 140 or so (depending on who's definition is used) people you see is/was a micropreemie. You probably saw one today!
-They were born prematurely (and turned out just fine), or
-Their child was born prematurely (and turned out just fine), or
-Their sibling, friend, in-law, etc. was born prematurely (once again, they turned out just fine).
This doesn't seem to be something that people just mention in everyday conversations (ala "Hello, my name is Bob. I'm was born way early..."). But people are happy to volunteer the information when it is relevant. It is very nice to hear from folks who have been in the same situation and have had a good outcome. That's not to diminish the potential risks Mathias is facing but we prefer to focus on the positives!
For the stats nerd in you...
Turns out, about 7-8% of babies born in have low birth weight (somewhat synonymous with pre-term delivery). Of those, about one in 10 have what they call Extremely Low Birth Weight (< 1000g). They also go by the perhaps overly cutesy term 'micropreemie'. In all, there are just under 30,000 of them born per year. So, if you do your math... look around you and one in 140 or so (depending on who's definition is used) people you see is/was a micropreemie. You probably saw one today!
posted by Patrik at 3/30/2006 01:33:00 PM
2 Comments:
That would be me. A premie. Looks like Mathias will have a couple of buddies. My sister is in labor at 30 weeks with the twins. They are bigger then him but not much. Can't wait to see you all again. Lots of Love. Brandy
Hello! I think he is so cute! I can`t wait to see him!
From The J Man
I`ll tell you who I am later!!!!!!
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