It's been 10 yrs since I gave birth to my preemie. And I'm nearing my 40th birthday. Somehow that all seems significant right now, and even brings me a sense of peace - that, yes, I got through it. I am no longer a new mother of a preemie. I still think of it every day, don't get me wrong. I see my big 10 yr old and I remember the tiny baby, in the isolette, with a CPAP machine and what seemed like way too many tubes and monitors - perhaps every day I still see that! But - we made it. Hashem blessed us with health. With no serious preemie complications. With 2 healthy children who came after who made it to "term" (ok, 37 and 38 weeks, that's not premature at least!). And altogether, my husband and I find joy and wonder in all 4 of our amazing children, every day.
SO, I don't want to feel shell shocked anymore. Sometimes I can still feel the panicky feeling I used to get, and I'm really ready to say goodbye to it. Don't know if I will, but I'm going to spend some time trying.
For this year's World Prematurity Day (November 17th), I decided to publish a round-up of Jewish and Israeli Preemie Stories.
For this roundup I have started with My mother's Preemie Story . Then you can go on to read My Preemie Story. I mostly tried to find other stories of babies born 28-32 weeks, but I also got a friend to write her story of her baby born at 26 weeks - pretty amazing - so go ahead and read Nathalie's Preemie Story. If you can handle the Hebrew, here's Shelly's story (Ella, born at 28 weeks), Estrikg76's Blog (story of 28 weeker), and HaPagim Sheli (story of twins born at 28 weeks). Then I found this article, it's not a blog entry, but a heartbreaking story worth reading, and this blog entry only peripherally addresses prematurity, but it struck a cord: My Daughter Lost her Lovey and I'm freaking out.
I also decided to include two "later" preemie stories - 34 Weeks and Suddenly Giving Birth, and How I Became a Father 6 Weeks Earlier than Planned to round off this list.
I'm happy to add more entries if anyone still wants his/her story to be included. Please contact me at ester@kosherfrugal.com or leave a comment below!
Thanks for supporting preemies and honoring World Prematurity Day!
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