Premature Birth

    The first thing I must tell you is that this page is about a wonderful little girl Katrina, who was born in 1978.  Medical science has gone so far since then, that the experiences we had with her on the medical side would probably rarely occur now.  But the emotions and concerns we had are the same for parents today as they were for us then.  I have since split with her father, and in respect for him I do not speak for him.  The thoughts and feelings are mine alone.

    Having a child born early is very traumatic.  There are so many expectations when you find out you are pregnant.  Especially when you are young and feel indestructible.  I was 20, living miles away from my family.  My husband was in the Air Force and we were stationed in South Carolina.  I was so very ignorant about pregnancy and babies.  I grew up in a very "English" home and these things were not spoken about.
    My pregnancy was fine for the first three months.  I was sent to a civilian doctor as the base clinic was understaffed.  At my 4 month check-up I was bloated.  So much so that when the doctor pressed on my leg the dent she made stayed there for two days!  The recommendation was to stay off of my feet for the weekend and come back in a month.  If I only knew then, what I know now  (That is my primary motivation in putting up this web site.  We learn from experience, hopefully someone will learn from mine).  I followed the doctors orders and progressed into full-blown toxemia.  My water ruptured, and she was delivered at 28 weeks, weighing 2 lb 7 oz.
    A wonderful woman from our church came to visit the first day.  She belonged to the La Leche League, and was able to provide me with a breast pump.  I took it home and pumped breast milk for the next four months.  This help was a rare thing in 1978, later it was a big part of my job with WIC (Women, Infant and Children) in Wyoming.  I honestly think that the consumption of breast milk was a big reason Katrina was always as healthy as she was (she may have had handicaps, but she was rarely sick).  She came home at three months old, without a proper sucking reflex.  I fed her breast milk with an eyedropper  every two hours around the clock for a month.  By this time I was so exhausted, the stress so much, that my milk simply dried up.  This is when I really started to feel the guilt.
    Today there are so many support systems.  In my case Katrina ended up with a number of handicaps, but in many cases the baby can grow up to have a full and productive life.  We often will ask ourselves "why", and not find the answer.  Just know that each experience is taking us on an adventure.  Katrina filled 16 years of my life, and was a big part of making me who I am today.
    During my time with WIC I worked with many women who asked themselves these questions.  I could help them through it because I went through it myself.

1.  Why wasn't my body good enough to maintain the pregnancy?

2.  Why didn't I know there was something wrong?

3.  Why couldn't I have a healthy, normal baby?

4.  Why won't my body keep producing milk for my baby?

5.  Why, why, why???

   For each case the answers are different, but for me it boils down to one thing.  I HAD LOUSY PRENATAL CARE.  I cannot stress it enough to know what is going on, and ask questions.  Most importantly, if you don't understand or like the answer you hear, keep asking.  This is one of the biggest improvements of today compared to 1978, there are people to ask (Check out some).  Or feel free to email me.  I can't help medically, but I can be a support.
   

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