# Emergency C-section and a 23 week old infant. Ugh. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2005, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358 "2005-02-16T15:16:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2005, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/61 "2005-02-17T16:47:44Z")
> [@Triskadecamus](#): > > She might well be the nation’s third woman president, someday. > Tris [hijack] Who are one and two going to be? [/hijack] More importantly, hang in there. It sounds as if she is going to be just fine. Don’t forget to post a link here to any pictures you take—I can promise you at least one Doper is going to be saying “awwwwwwwwwwwwww”! ---
**Author:** ![jkirkman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@jkirkman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jkirkman)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2005, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/62 "2005-02-17T20:26:09Z")
Hang in there! My two were 1 lb 11 oz and 3 lb when born about 12 weeks early via emergency c-section. They are now 8 years old, and though still small for their age, are otherwise perfectly normal, active, do-good-in-school kids. The Neonatal ICU and Stepdown Doctors, Nurses, and Staff were the finest group of people I have ever met in my life. Their Mother and I adopted a stance of informed, but completely irrational, optimism. It helped us get through the days and nights. We also adopted a policy of, when in private, blurting out our deepest fears and darkest thoughts to each other–things that we would be horrified to admit to anyone else we were thinking–not dwelling on negatives, mind you, just expressing our fears and emotions. This ended up creating a greater bond between us than our marrige ever did, and though the marrige eventually ended a couple of years later, that bond is just as strong as ever today and we remain united in parenting (even though in different households) and committed together to our children. Good luck. –jack ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2005, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/63 "2005-02-17T23:11:00Z")
I’m sorry to hear you’re going through such stress and fear but I certainly hope that everything goes well. Best wishes to you and your little one. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/64 "2005-02-18T00:30:59Z")
Sending best and warmest wishes to you, WhyBaby and WhyDad! My sweetie-pie, **Upside\_Down\_Amber** , has a sister who was born early, weighing just one pound. If you look at her today, you can’t tell the difference between her and her full-term brother - they’re both creative, well-adjusted, and can give Mom a run for her money. She had a scary time of it at first, though. I hope your family gets a similarly happy ending, and **Amber** does too. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/65 "2005-02-18T02:25:36Z")
OK, I’ve posted some pictures [here](http://photos.yahoo.com/rhiannon_dreamsnake). WARNING: there are pictures of a tiny, tiny baby with lots and lots of medical equipment, so if you find that sort of thing disturbing, please don’t click. The good news today: the blood they drew yesterday has not yet grown any bacteria in culture, so the infection may be over. The bad news today: the nurse noticed some blue streaks on her belly, as well as a little swelling and visible (bumpy) bowel. So they stopped her tube feedings again and did an x-ray. There’s no sign at this point of air in the abdomen, perforation of the bowel or necrotic tissue. They’ll check again tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/66 "2005-02-18T02:39:53Z")
**WhyNot** , you have my prayers and hopes. God bless you and your family. And hang in there. Keep yourself healthy, too - that’s important, and can get forgotten in your concern for your little one… ---
**Author:** ![NotWithoutRage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NotWithoutRage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotWithoutRage)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/67 "2005-02-18T04:33:43Z")
**WhyNot,** you have a beautiful daughter… Continued good wishes for her health and growth! ---
**Author:** ![Hokkaido\_Brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d26b3c/32.png) [@Hokkaido\_Brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hokkaido_Brit)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/68 "2005-02-18T12:15:41Z")
The little sweetheart… My prayers and concern to you all too. The photos are so touching - she is beautiful. I totally agree with you about her hands, they are perfect. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/69 "2005-02-18T13:12:49Z")
**Whynot** , she’s lovely. I’ve seen a lot of very, very tiny babies, and she looks good. Just hang on in there, because even if bad-sounding things happen, it doesn’'t mean there will be a bad outcome. I saw a former 24 weeker in a clinic the other week. In the first few weeks of her life she had hypothyroidism, 3 intracranial bleeds, her adrenal glands didn’t work, and she had NEC. She’s now almost 3 and you wouldn’t know. She walked into the room, said “hello, I like your shoes”, and sat there flicking through picture books and pointing out her favourite pictures to her mum. There’s always hope, and when the statistics don’t help, think of all the good possibilities, because statistics are about other people’s babies, not Caileigh. You’re all in my prayers. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/70 "2005-02-18T13:32:29Z")
I tried to post last night but my connection went out. What a nightmare for you and your family! I am sending all my kharmic vibes, good wishes and prayers to your precious little daughter! She has such a beautiful name and her mama is a Doper. That, to me, is a good omen. Dopers are a stubborn, persistant lot. The picture of her with the hat on is priceless! ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/71 "2005-02-18T14:26:37Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > OK, I’ve posted some pictures [here](http://photos.yahoo.com/rhiannon_dreamsnake). WARNING: there are pictures of a tiny, tiny baby with lots and lots of medical equipment, so if you find that sort of thing disturbing, please don’t click. Look at that sweet little girl. I get (good) chills just looking at her. Put those beautiful hands to good use - I think you have a concert pianist on your hands. So this means we get to call you **WhyMom** now, doesn’t it?🙂 Caileigh’s got a great mom and dad - and heck, she has hundreds of Doper godparents pulling for her right now. She’s getting a good start already:). E. ---
**Author:** ![furthur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@furthur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furthur)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/72 "2005-02-18T15:02:30Z")
What an adorable little sweety pea. She looks like the most beautiful little bird, I think. And you’re right, those hands are lovely. With her bili shades and big hat, she’s got kind of a Preemie Rapper vibe going on, doesn’t she? 😉 Many good thoughts to you. I had two preemies, one 32 weeks. She’s now 9, sassy, and quite healthy. A little residual asthma and eye problems, but nothing major, and she’s growing out of both. So much stuff is preventable and fixable now that WhyBaby’s got a whole lot of medical expertise going for her, besides lots of good wishes from Dopers and a loving family! It’s tough not being able to hold your baby. I couldn’t hold mine, either, for a while. Hang in there. My heart goes out to you and your family. That day when she finally gets sturdy enough to hold – it’ll be the best day of your life! 😃 Thoughts and prayers, Mrs. Furthur ---
**Author:** ![Abbie\_Carmichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Abbie\_Carmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abbie_Carmichael)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/73 "2005-02-18T16:15:47Z")
> [@furthur](#): > > With her bili shades and big hat, she’s got kind of a Preemie Rapper vibe going on, doesn’t she? 😉 My name is Caileigh And I’m here to say I cost a lot of money But I’m gonna be OK Got my glasses and my shades Up here in my crib Gonna kick Bili’s _insert rubber ducky noise_ And put on my bib I got the boys in line They like my little bitty wrist Now give me my bottle Else I’m gonna get _insert baby cry_ All da preemies in da house Freak our parents out But the day we’re released Everybody’s gonna shout HEYYYYYYYYYYYYY, HOOOOOOOOOOOO, HEEEEYYYYYYYYY, HOOOOOOOOOOOO ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/74 "2005-02-18T23:44:03Z")
Best wishes and thoughts. My youngest twin had a rough birth, so I understand a little of what you are going through. Posting on this board helped keep me sane. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/75 "2005-02-19T00:55:19Z")
she has quite the sleepy outfit. i imagine her wearing her hat and shades thinking, “what does a girl have to do to get her beauty sleep?!!!” she looks like a fighter to me. ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/76 "2005-02-19T01:13:17Z")
My goodness, she’s a cutie (and at this stage, only going to get more so!) I can see why you’d fixate on her hands: they’re _perfect_! I’ll keep those good thoughts in my head for your family. ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/77 "2005-02-19T01:27:40Z")
Thinking of you and sending all my best. After seeing Bethie’s baby thrive after such a scary start, I have such faith in the strength of preemies. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/78 "2005-02-19T01:43:44Z")
More good thoughts coming your way! May whatever god there is, be with you and yours. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/79 "2005-02-19T14:29:25Z")
She needs a name. LIke **Because I said so.** or **Too Sexy for this hat** One must prioritize. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/80 "2005-02-19T16:07:12Z")
**WhyNot** , I’ve said a healing prayer for little **Caileigh** , and another one for you guys. Hope it helps! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358.md?page=5)