My sister was 27 weeks pregnant...yesterday. Today she is the shocked, tired, recovering, worried mother of baby boy Sprik (I won't share his name so the new parents can be the first to announce it to the web world...)
Last Saturday (the 6th) she went to the hospital after spotting and later began contracting and dilating. After several ups and downs in the hospital, Saturday the 13th she was finally released to go home on pretty strict bed rest. Thankful to have my mom with her (she flew to Chicago last Thursday) and to be back in her own home, things were looking up. However, last night my dad told me that Aimee was having a c-section within the half hour. yikes. I can't even tell you the flood of emotion I was experiencing, my family was experiencing, not to mention Aimee and Brian. Not long after, 9:43pm to be exact, Sprik Sprout was born - 2lbs 6oz.
He started breathing on his own, even let out a cry! Yay! His heartbeat is strong! Double yay! He's kicking and moving! Hip Hip Hooray! All wonderful, positive, and miraculous things.
But there is still a long road ahead of him, how long we don't know. Tuesday Doctors will assess the situation and give them a better idea. I can't even imagine how my sister must be feeling. To have waited so long to get pregnant, finally having success, and then to get your baby a lot sooner than expected, and not being able to hold him and take him home. I was able to talk with her briefly last night, despite her weak and drugged state, and she said they are feeling very lucky so far. I pray that luck continues.
I know there are many cases out there that you or someone you know has experienced that are similar to this. What can be expected in the weeks and months ahead? Tell me any information you can and also all of the positive and successful stories you know and I'd love to pass that along to my sister. If you have no experience with premature babies but want to share some words of encouragement, I'm sure that can go a long way, even if you're strangers to her. And as always, prayers never hurt.
I imagine Aimee will eventually be posting updates on her blog if you care to stay posted, or email me. Or just check out her blog from time to time, she often has great little tips and ideas.