Family & Friends,
Like many men, I was ignorant of the entire pregnancy process and its vital role in a person's life. After all, a person starts off being a baby. I learned a lot during my wife's first pregnancy which resulted in a miscarriage. I learned a lot during my wife's pregnancy that gave us our firstborn. However, I didn't learn much about the struggle of those who have a premature baby (i.e. a baby born before s/he reaches full term pregnancy). As you probably can tell, my quote above from the article below tells how important a full term pregnancy actually is.
After watching the episode from "This Is Us" where Kate and Toby give birth to a premature baby, I was prompted to ask myself what would I do in such a situation. I asked myself how I would cope and yet stay strong for my family especially the baby. I asked myself how much I actually knew about caring for a premature baby and his/her parents. I knew nothing.
This article by Very Well Family was very helpful and educational. And, its quick chart on a premature's baby survival definitely brings a reality check.
https://www.verywellfamily.com/premature-birth-and-viability-2371529
Are you shocked by these statistics like I am? Did you know that a baby born after 25 weeks (about 6 months) has a 50/50 chance of surviving - compared to a baby born 26 weeks (about 6 1/2 months) having an 80% chance of surviving? A baby that barely reaches the last trimester only has a 50/50 chance of survival?
Just like every baby is different, every pregnancy is different. This uniqueness also applies to all babies born prematurely. Each intervention for a premature baby by our modern day healthcare requires a one-of-a-kind care. Parents of the premature baby also play a vital role in the survival of the premature baby.
Today, premature babies have such an incredible survival probability. Well, in fortunate countries like the United States that have a healthcare system supporting mothers and babies. But what did people do before we had all of this modern health technology and techniques? I can't imagine. People like me are fortunate to live in a place and time where if I did have a premature baby, I can at least still hold onto hope for my little one. Hope of surviving thanks to today's health interventions.
But before any person even thinks about such an health intervention, a person who is involved in a pregnancy should his/her very best to learn more about the pregnancy, encourage and support the pregnant woman, and pray the baby (and mother) endure the full pregnancy term. The baby's life depends on it.
Phileo Love.
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