Hi, its amazing how reading others premmie experiences still evokes so much emotiion in me... I was 31 weeks 3 day when my membranes started leaking. I was taken straight to hospital, and after an examination given steriods, precautionary antibiotics and admitted. I was on complete bed rest, only allowed to go to the toilet when i was desperate, and monitored every two hours for signs of infection. After 48 hours the Dr arranged a scan, and as baby had very little water around him, it was decided he was at greater risk out than in. I was transferred to the general hospital with NICU facilities, and after 5 fairly uneventful hours of inducement (I got to 3cm dialated) we agreed a caesar was less risk to bubba. At 9pm that night my darling little boy, Slade Connor arrived, with a first apgar of 9, weighing 1.995kg (4lb6oz). He did not require any assistance breathing, however it took a few days to regulate his temperature. He spent a week in SCBU with a naso-gastric tube feeding him expressed milk and formula, and we are so fortunate that he thrived really from the start. My room was two floors away, and I don't think anyone who has not been through this experience can fathom the emotion experienced leaving them in the care of nurses while you return to your room for sleep. He was a guts from the start, and started developing the ability to suck at the breast from about day 4. As all that was required now was for him to transfer all feeds to the breast, we were transferred back to the private hospital where my journey started. This was wonderful as I was able to day board, and could have him in a room with me most of thime, and wold then go home to my husband and own bed at night. After another two weeks he was ready to come home, and we haven't looked back

He is now 18 months, 14kg, and a definate alpha male!! I sometimes wonder how such a big bruiser grew from such a tiny start.... and then i look bakc at the first photos, and it is as though it was yesterday.