Friday, December 11, 2009

In the news today

As a fan of the Duggar family and their show "18 kids and counting", I couldn't help but gasp and feel my heart sink as I read that their newest daughter (who makes 19!!) was born early due to pre ecclampsia. Little Josie Brooklyn Duggar weighed in at 1 lb 6 ounces and arrived last night via emergency c section. My heart goes out their family.

On the other hand, I do not ever want to wish prematurity upon ANYONE, but I am anticipating how the prospect of their tv show will show the struggles of prematurity that not only Josie faces, but how it affects the family as well. There are already news articles saying that the baby will be 'fine'. Really? Have they ever seen the inside of a NICU? Have they seen the babies around your child die? At two days of age, they cannot predict that she will be fine. Of course, that is everyone's wish and hope, but it is a bit premature to be saying that. (No pun intended)


(This was Bree at 4 days old when I saw her for the first time. Josie Duggar probably looks similar.)


Many many people do not understand that a premature baby is not just a small baby. It is a small baby that is not developed and not ready to be in this world. Since it has been forced into this world too early, surrounded by lights, needles, tape, and people among other things, the normal process of development that should be taking place in the womb is delayed, and some parts of development are halted or altered.

I pray and I hope that little Josie has an uneventful stay in the NICU and maybe in 3 or 4 months will get to join her family at home. However, her medical journey will not likely end there. It will, however, be publicized on TV for the whole world to see and to understand prematurity just a little bit more than they did before.

1 comment:

Marlene Ogden said...

Very well written. Nobody knows this better than someone that has been there. You guys would be an excellant family for them to follow. You have done such an outstanding job.