We have a family member who had a baby at 25 weeks. He's now a thriving 5 year old and seems to have no issues at all.

A friend of mine had triplets in the late 80s, at 28 weeks. They gave one too much oxygen and he is mentally disabled, but the other two are perfectly "normal" young adults.

How early is early?

15 years ago, my ex-stepmom gave birth to my half-brother at 26 weeks. He and his twin weighed less than 1.5 lbs each. The twin died - he survived and came home after a couple months in the NICU.

He's had a very normal life. He did get sick more often when younger, but he's of normal health now. He's smart and does all sorts of activities, including football.

(Mom of 29w preemie 2lb 3oz)
I also thought the New Yorker piece was interesting, although a bit unfocused. The next week a former special ed teacher wrote in and said that in her experience the vast majority of preemies were damaged and should never have been born-nice. I think the PP who said that we tend to focus on the successes and not talk about continuing challenges and disability is correct. However, I see a fair amount of commentary that is just blanket negative-like the New Yorker letter. I recently read a blog post by a natural birth blogger who said that if she went into labor before 30w, she would consider just staying home and "letting nature take its course." To me, as the mom of a healthy 29weeker, that is just insane.

Right now saving those 22w babies seems a little crazy, but a couple decades ago saving my baby would have seemed crazy. Now as a 29w preemie with no underlying problems she was just considered a "feeder grower" in the NICU.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely, they can live normal, healthy lives.

I have two cousins who were born extremely prematurely, both before many doctors even want to try to save them: one at 22 weeks, one just before 23 weeks, both just about 1 pound. I have pictures of my aunt's wedding ring placed over my cousin's arm, like an armband, and she is petite, 90 pounds soaking wet.

And this was many years ago, because one cousin is a sophomore at Notre Dame, the other in high school. Both brilliant, strong and healthy, with big dreams. Technology is even better now.

Life is precious. Maybe someday, we will develop artificial wombs for babies in between embryos and 20-22 weeks. For now, we should do our best.

WOW. I honestly did not know that was possible.

I suspect the pp is well intentionally getting the gestational age wrong of their cousins. The earliest a baby has ever been born and survived was 21 weeks 6 days for a baby born in 2007 in Florida, so it is technically possible. Several babies have survived that were born at 22 weeks, but to have two in the same family two different pregnancies, back long enough ago that the kids are in college is surprising if not very very unlikely. They don't even calculate the survival rate of babies born at 22 weeks, but babies born at 23 weeks have an 17% chance of survival.

There was a very intersesting article in The New Yorker a few weeks ago about this exact topic.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/10/24/111024fa_fact_groopman?currentPage=all?mobify=0&intcid=full-site-mobile

My friend's grandma's sister was born at 23 weeks in 1929. We grew up together so I'm very attached to her family and the same way she's very attached to my family.

Auntie's mom fell from the stairs while pregnant and had the baby on the way to the hospital. The doctors caught the baby slipping out of her in the stretcher, put it in a shoe box and told her she was breathing but they didn't know for how long.

The mom put the baby between her breasts and started breastfeeding her immediately.

Auntie is 82 years old and she just hand embroided the most beautiful blanket for my baby boy due in January.

Her only disability is regarding walking. She's been wheelchair bound since forever. She attended school, finished college but never really got married. She could not find a guy who would keep up with her feisty, upbeat personality 60 years ago. Oh and she is such a feminist!



We all love her very much and could not imagine our lives without her!

OP, did you read that article on the NY magazine about the person saying preemies should not be cared for to let nature follow its course?

Yes, they can live normal healthy lives, however the majority of cases have life-long issues. My sister's baby was daughter was born at 24 weeks and is now 4. This summer at a family reunion a relative pregnant with twins said she's not worried about premature birth because just look at sister's baby, everything is just fine. A lot of casual observers will say my niece is "just fine" but she definitely has issues still and probably will for the rest of her life. My sister is not a complainer and is a private person and doesn't feel right "listing" her daughter's issues but a lot of people assume that things are OK. They've spent a fortune on therapy and intervention. The good news is, my niece is alive and will probably lead a somewhat normal life, thanks to the therapies and constant support.

I think people have become very blase about premature birth because it's become more common. We also focus on the good stories and assume they are represenative--but they're not.

Relative was born in the '80s at just under 2lbs, is an athlete and has no lasting issues. His childhood was not plagued with issues either, healthier than even I was.

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely, they can live normal, healthy lives.

I have two cousins who were born extremely prematurely, both before many doctors even want to try to save them: one at 22 weeks, one just before 23 weeks, both just about 1 pound. I have pictures of my aunt's wedding ring placed over my cousin's arm, like an armband, and she is petite, 90 pounds soaking wet.

And this was many years ago, because one cousin is a sophomore at Notre Dame, the other in high school. Both brilliant, strong and healthy, with big dreams. Technology is even better now.

Life is precious. Maybe someday, we will develop artificial wombs for babies in between embryos and 20-22 weeks. For now, we should do our best.

WOW. I honestly did not know that was possible.

Absolutely, they can live normal, healthy lives.

I have two cousins who were born extremely prematurely, both before many doctors even want to try to save them: one at 22 weeks, one just before 23 weeks, both just about 1 pound. I have pictures of my aunt's wedding ring placed over my cousin's arm, like an armband, and she is petite, 90 pounds soaking wet.

And this was many years ago, because one cousin is a sophomore at Notre Dame, the other in high school. Both brilliant, strong and healthy, with big dreams. Technology is even better now.

Life is precious. Maybe someday, we will develop artificial wombs for babies in between embryos and 20-22 weeks. For now, we should do our best.

My daughter was born at 2 lb, 2 oz - small enough to be considered a micro preemie. Her first apgar was a 1, and she had a small hole in her heart and developed a small brain bleed. The doctors were not sure that she would live, and said that she would likely have severe disabilities if she did survive. The first uncertain weeks of her life were easily the darkest days of my life.

She's 10 now. She was just elected to student council, gets great grades in school, does martial arts and plays on a soccer team. She's still physically small and has a few small residual issues, but her mighty personality and zest for life more than make up for any challenges. I could not ask for a more wonderful child, and I am so very grateful to the doctors who went to battle for her.

I never met this person, but a co-worker's brother was very premature (like 27 weeks or so). He is now 6'4'' and a semi-professional athlete.

I have a friend who had triplets at 25 weeks and 2 days. One only lived a month. The other two are now 2 years old and doing just fine, typically developing, healthy happy kids. The only health issue they have is that one has to use a nebulizer when he gets colds, but that's it.

I hear about doctors trying at all costs to save even the earliest-term premies and that this is a huge burden for the health care industry. I only know one personally. He is 4 now and suffers constantly from respiratory and GI issues and often requires hospitalization. I feel so badly for this family and when i am with them, I withhold the joy I experience with my typically developing child.

I am wondering: Is there hope? Do these children ever get stronger and live normal healthy lives? Does anyone have experience with older children who were born extremely premature? Thank you sincerely - I would love to know.