30 years ago my mom spontaneously went into labor at work. As if the shock and embarrassment of having her water break all over her office chair wasn't enough, she must have been terrified.
It was late April. I was scheduled to make my appearance in early July.
 |
| My very brave, strong mama and me...just getting to know each other. |
My story always made me feel special, unique; like I was designed for overcoming adversity from the very beginning. I always loved hearing it and appreciated that I should be grateful for the life I've been given (even more than most, maybe) as it was really rocky there at the start.
 |
| It took a WHOLE LOT of machines and a whole lot of fight to keep my little body going. Things have changed a bit in a NICU in 30 years, huh? |
Around the 30-week mark of my own pregnancy when reflecting on my own length of stay in the womb, my prematurity story took on a whole new meaning to me. I thought a lot at that time of how much development was left to happen.
Now, as I have gone through a full term pregnancy, childbirth and the early days with a newborn I have a truer perspective of how blessed I really am. It really would be heartbreaking to see such a tiny, little person fight for life outside of the divinely designed environment intended for their growth.
I had my share of troubles that could very well be attributed to lack of time spent in the womb. I got sick more often that most kids and was prone to respiratory and other infection. I had difficulty in school and as an adult was diagnosed with ADD. But, for the most part, my 8 weeks in a NICU incubator accomplished most of the development that occurs in the last 10 weeks of pregnancy. Pretty amazing, I'd say!
I like to think I've optimistically carried my preemie spirit with me as I've grown. Through the years I've been unpredictable in my interests. I've come through some really challenging situations and have always fought to see the light at the end of the tunnel and regain my sense of self if I got lost along the way. My dramatic entrance has carried through in my preferences for singing, dance, performance and (I'll admit) generally enjoying attention.
My surprise early arrival has taught me some spiritual and emotional life lessons. Cliche though the following phrases are, they ring true for my story, my parents' story and anyone else who has gone through the frightening time of bringing a baby born too soon into the world.
1. Good things come in (sometimes very) small packages. I try to remember this as it applies to the blessings in my life. I count the big and the small as much as possible.
2. God has His reasons. There must have been a reason I insisted on arriving in April rather than July (my parents say I wanted to see the 4th fireworks). But, really. I may not always get it but I'm sure there's a reason for everything.
3. Timing is everything. Parents of preemies gain a new perspective of the value of a week or even a day. This goes along with the "reason for everything" lesson. Sometimes I just don't understand what the timing of things is all about but I try to rest assured it's all for the best.
4. Things don't always go as planned. This is an obvious one relative to prematurity. My own preemie experience reminds me of the higher power in control. Things don't go according to plans but it will be okay.
5. Don't judge a book... These days I'm healthy and "typical." You'd never know I got off to a rough start. My mom's pregnancy appeared normal. Everyone has a story to tell...and you just never know...
I am so incredibly blessed to have come through those first fragile months as healthy as I did.
I am also blessed to have had a healthy, full-term pregnancy.
This November and today, on World Prematurity Awareness Day my thoughts are with everyone that has had experience with a born-too-early baby and especially those who have suffered losses.
I am so grateful I know how to fight like a preemie!
No comments:
Post a Comment