World Prematurity Day 2015

Today marks the 5th World Prematurity Day. Today is a day I hold very close to my own heart. It is a day I remember my eldest son being born. I was just 28 weeks pregnant when the boy decided to make an appearance. He was born at St. Munchins Maternity Hospital in Limerick and it is a day I shall never forget.
My eldest son was born at just 28 weeks gestation and was given just a slim chance at survival. He weighed in at just over 3lb's and dropped to 2lb 14 after the first day.
St. Munchins Maternity Hospital in Limerick provided him and us with the utmost of care and thanks to all of the staff there our little boy defeated all the odds.

We were told that if he survived the first 72 hours that the odds were in his favour. He did just that and made it from one week to the next. After just 4 weeks the boy weighing just 4 lbs was moved out of the incubator and into a cot. We were beside ourselves with excitment. And just 4 more weeks after this, we were allowed to take our little 5lb baby home.
The doctors told us that this little boy was a born fighter. He told us that he really was a special little man. Very few premature babies get discharged from hospital before their due date and here was our wee man going home a whole month before he was due to be born.
His consultant did tell us to be prepared that our boy would always be small for his age and have a low IQ. We didn't mind this as we just wanted our boy alive and well.
But now 24 years later, he really did defy all odds. He proudly stands at 6 foot tall and with a higher that average IQ, he went on to prove everyone wrong.
World Prematurity Day will always hold a special place in my heart. Please take a moment today and remember all our babies that are born too soon. Not everyone is as lucky as we have been.

GMcC