I was going to say something similar to Beema and Divvy.
It all depends on how the baby/child is and if their "problem" is impacted by prematurity.
Brendan is 3 (born 30+1) and is still being referred to as a prem, he is also still being corrected. He is average height but everything else is well below average for his age. Brendan is still on a Follow-Up Programme which starts off through the hospital of birth, he is now through the State Child Development Centre, but the same team.
Tristan is 9 months (born 34+3) and is referred to as prem. He was 3.09kg born but at 9 months is only 7.04kg. He has a small problem with his leg which gets him some physio appointments every assessment she's done he's been corrected for, even though he is well above the average (50th %ile) for his actual age (for gross motor skills).
They will always be prem, nothing will change that and should a problem arise later on they will most likely still be noted as being born prem.
My DS was born at 31+3. He's just turned 2, but is still refered to as a premmie. Mainly by his speach therapist. he still isn't talking and she says it's because he's behind. To which I say, it was 9 weeks, not 12 months! LOL. I don't think they ever lose the lable. DS is well grown. He's caght up and over took most full termers his age. He's in size 9 shoes, and is going into size 3 cloths, so he's not held back physicaly... but .... he's still a "Premmie"!
Totally off topic but Magicseahorse my DD was born 31+3 on the 3rd April 2007 lol
I have never "labelled" my DD as a premmie. Medically yes she is "labelled" but for me personally I don't like it. I never have! I never corrected her age because I didn't feel the need to. In our situation there was no warrent for the "label". In my eyes there were no complications with our DD other than her being early.
But then you take my sister who drives me daft with this very topic. She still refers to my nephew as an ex 30 weeker when he is now 8 years old. I have a major issue with this as my sister and her DH continually "hold"(for want of a better word) it against him. To me he is a normal 8 year old with a healthy appetite for life and a gorgeous sweet nature ( gee biased Aunty much lol) but to see his face when they start on about him not doing this or that or his attitude and that they think he has undiagnosed ADHD it breaks my heart UMMMM hello he is a normal 8 year old!
My niece on the other hand is an ex 26 weeker. She is a real crack up. She is a psycho 2 year old. She has her issues until recently she has had NGT but now a PEG for feeding. Weight issues and the like so yes I understand that she is still "labelled" as a premmie medically and you can see that she was premmie. Ok I've gone off on a tangent........................................... .................................................. ..
So I guess the whole point of my post is that medically probably for the rest of their life but personally it is your own decision. I don't go around telling people I just meet that this is my daughter she is an ex 31 weekers......hey isn't she doing great! It's more This is my Daughter...... she is 3. Ain't she just gorgeous!
Tiffanny! Must be connected somewhere!
I never mention Hunter is a Premmie unless someone (like Daycare) mention his lack of speech. Or that he's so unusually tall and trim.( I'm very proud of that... he's such a stringbean!), or us unusual strenghth generally things he's exelling at. I like proving that being a "premmie" is no drawback.
We stopped correcting DS at 12months. He was nearly 7weeks early but has not been hindered, in any way shape or form, due to his prematurity. Even the MCHN's don't even mention his was prem. I am guessing it's because he is where he should be for his actual age in every form
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Tiffanny! Must be connected somewhere!
generally things he's exelling at. I like proving that being a "premmie" is no drawback.
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