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Let Micro Preemies die Peacefully

Let Micro Preemies die Peacefully

According to a recently released British report, Preemies born before 22 weeks gestation should not be giving life saving measures and be allowed to die. Though the report does not advocate euthanasia. The odds of an infant born that early ever having a meaning full life are so slim, and more than likely the infant will die or be severely retarded. This according to MS-NBC's recent article Report: Extreme Preemies should not be saved

I think preemies that young are also known as micro preemies. To give you and idea of the size and look of a 22 week old preemie, their skin is thin and see through, finger nails and toe nails are budding and becoming visible. Ears may be still folded over and eyes may be still fused shut. This is also normally about the time the mother would feel the "quickening" or when she first feels the baby move. at 22 weeks is also when the brain goes into rapid growth. The micro preemie would be approximately 8 to 10 inches long and weigh between half a pound and a pound. The air sacs have not developed in the lungs yet. Babies Online week 22 pregnancy Calender

Not much information is available on the net about infants born at or before 22 weeks other than as miscarriages or elective abortion. I did find one story of a child born at 22 weeks and what he has gone through just to survive to 3 years old. William's page.

I don't know that I personally would want to put my child through so much for just a slim chance of survival and almost no chance of a meaningful life, plus the pain of multiple surgeries. The pain of the loss would be incredible, but I think almost preferable.

(Posted both on myspace and joeuser)
28,717 views 63 replies
Reply #51 Top
"As a parent, you create the life, you are responsible for the decisions for that child, as long as you are mentally capable of making "life or death" decisions"

Hey Pam, where in this statement do you see an advocation for child abuse?

"Even some parents don't deserve that right."

I agree, deserving or not, once you make children it is your right and responsibility to care for them as best you are able. There are legal punishments for murder which is what the case you describe would have amounted to. If they were found out, they would have faced the law under the justice system. Whats the problem with my statement? Some exception to the general guidelines? There are exceptions to every rule. Duh folks.
Reply #52 Top
Hey Pam, where in this statement do you see an advocation for child abuse?


Dan

Nowhere!!! Your post just made me think of that particular incident so I thought I would share it with you.

Pam
Reply #53 Top
Ok good, the case I made, against the title of the article, is in no way an endorsement for bad parenting. Rather, that all parents should have the rights and responsibilities in their hands, until they prove to be unable to make those decisions.

There's a story going around about a lady who microwaved her kid. That is the kinda child abuse that, would in mind, that would prevent a person from ever being allowed to care for children. However, parents who just want their kids to survive an ordeal, even one in which there isn't much hope, do and should continue to have that right, even though that may cause a child a lot of pain, or that a child not have a birth-defect free existence.

That's pretty much where I've stood on it, consistently.

As for child abuse, depending on the severity of the situation, once social services becomes involved then it should be up to the parents to demonstrate their ability at regular intervals, their capability and competency, in child rearing. As you have suggested, some parents do not have the ability to raise children and I agree, but just because you want to give your kids a shot at life, as a micro preemie, where the chances are slim, doesn't make you an abusive parent.
Reply #54 Top
Dan

Take this link and read the blog please feel free to respond to it I thought. I would die laughing as I realized who Barb was referring to in her latest entry A Series of Unfortunate Events…. http://everythingandnothing.blogtoolkit.com/

Pam
Reply #55 Top
What?
Reply #56 Top
This is about an 14% survival rate with an 50% chance after that of being brain damaged.


So when you are in a car wreck and dying, at what odds should we quit trying to help you?
Reply #57 Top
I have to think of my ECA instructor's words to us in a related area. He said if we ever have to answer an emergency call where a child is involved, even if we are positive the child is dead, to not give up on it. Continue performing CPR, because you want the parents to know you tried as hard as you could.

In the case of these micropreemies, many of the doctors are doing just that, trying as hard as they can.

I think parents should make these decisions when faced with them, rather than you, me or anyone else. In a world where we devalue life so much, I find hope in the fact that there are some trying to PRESERVE life in these tiny, fragile children.

One other illustration: a couple of months ago, my children found a very young puppy of our neighbours' literally on the brink of death. We knew the puppy didn't have much of a shot, but we tried everything we could. Sadly, the puppy didn't make it through the night. He was just too far gone. But at least he died warm and happy rather than cold and alone. And a child's life, to me, is worth infinitely more than a puppy's.
Reply #58 Top
I said I would leave this thread alone and I still intend to but I think you should see that babies do survive without major trauma early on.

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061225/NEWS01/612250319Link to Shreveport Times
Reply #59 Top
How are things going with you John and your little one?
Reply #60 Top
I see several of the babies in question everyday as I walk the halls of the NICU. Some hooked up to the most amazing and crazy machines I have ever seen. I see doctors, respiratory therapist and nurses provide care and comfort to these children. For two weeks I have watched a little one that I was sure wouldn't make it, go on and on. I know that it is more than machines that are keeping him here. He is so tiny and amazing. This child must be destined for great things.

How are things going with you John and your little one?


They were born at 31 weeks 5 days on New Years day. All three are amazing little miracles. Each of them needed help breathing for just a few hours. Since then the only issues we have encountered were their ability to tolerate formula and what I can only call eye gunk. They have been switched to donor Brest milk and seem to be eating fine now. The eye gunk is not an infection. It is some sort of fluid that is similar to what we all wake up with crusted to our eyes in the morning.

We have been told countless times that we are lucky. I don't think its luck at all. We are no doubt blessed and I can wait to take my little blessings home in a few weeks.
Reply #61 Top
I'm going to sidestep all the debate here and ask JustJohn a question...

Is the "eye gunk" the result of a clogged tear duct? I think this is pretty common in babies. Isabella had one when she was only a few days old. It looked terrible, but using a warm washrag to massage the duct cleared it up in just a couple of days. I don't know if this is something that would happen to preemies, although I imagine it does.

And now I have to go since Izzy just filled her diaper and possibly everything within a 1 ft radius of her diaper.   
Reply #62 Top
Is the "eye gunk" the result of a clogged tear duct?


No. The cultures came back after they tested them again and they showed ecoli bacteria, possibly from some cross contamination. They spend so much time in the little beds that it isn't a big surprise that some cross contamination is going to happpen. We hold each of the babies when we visit so if one has it the other will probably get it.

For two weeks I have watched a little one that I was sure wouldn't make it, go on and on. I know that it is more than machines that are keeping him here. He is so tiny and amazing. This child must be destined for great things.


I am very sad to say that this little one lost the battle this afternoon.
Reply #63 Top
Congratulations, I'm proud of you and happy for you too. Good luck and get that college fund started.

"I am very sad to say that this little one lost the battle this afternoon."

Don't lose hope, at the very least the little one got a chance to see the world for a bit, and I can imagine that you realize just how precious life is when it doesn't get the chance for more.

I wish I could think of something more to say, but I'm out of words. Just good luck to you.