Let Micro Preemies die Peacefully

Published on November 15, 2006 By msladydeath In Current Events

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)

Comments (Page 5)

Texas Wahine

on Jan 14, 2007

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.

just john

on Jan 14, 2007

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.

Dan Greene

on Jan 15, 2007

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.

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