Pro-life video of the day: Baby born 39 days after water broke
by Hans Johnson
The first son of Rachel and Jeff Whitchurch was born at 35 weeks when her water broke prematurely. She has also had three miscarriages.
When she was pregnant again last year her water broke early once more. But this time it was at 28 weeks. The condition is called pPROM (Preterm Premature Rupture of Membrane) .
She was admitted to the hospital and given steroids to stimulate the development of the baby’s lungs, as well as well as medication to forestall contractions. The longer Rachel could stay in bed, the less time her baby would need in the NICU.
“I was being given the opportunity to sit in a hospital bed so he didn’t have to. All the pain, loneliness, stress, fear, needles, medicine, etc., was worth it because I could take my child’s place.”
The best doctors hoped for was a week. But Gideon was born after more than five!
“With faith and prayers and amazing medical staff, our sweet little boy was born at 33 weeks instead of 28 weeks. He was only 3 pounds when he was born, but he was healthy, breathing, and fighting from the beginning. My doctors called me and our little Gideon both miracles.”
This is from GMA:
[youtube]http://youtu.be/MKcVnHpVHw8[/youtube]
The family appeared on Fox & Friends.
Emaily dailyvid@jillstanek.com with your video suggestions.
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
Amazing!!!
I was once less than 4 pounds myself, so the fate of premature infants is near and very dear to my heart. I treasure the stories Mom would tell me of slipping her wedding ring on my hand like a bracelet and having to cut up diapers to fit me. <3
Glory to God! :D
My little one, the first after two losses, is going to be here in less than a week. I can’t wait to hold my little rainbow baby.
My little 33-weeker was 4 lbs, 2 oz – “big” by preemie standards. They only had her on oxygen for about a week. Other than that, and an issue with slight reflux (which resolved itself within a week), she was perfectly healthy. I had one miscarriage before her (our first baby), and seven AFTER, so she’s OUR little miracle baby, too. :)
I was told I was well over a month premature. I’m not sure if that was even possible in 1955. ;) But my first photo at 5 days sure showed a scrawny little thing.
If that photo of Baby Gideon doesn’t bring a smile to your face, what will!!!?
What a cutie!
Adorable! :)
It is such a blessing that we have advanced greatly in our ability to provide NIC. I am constantly amazed at the ways we can assist preemies in not only joining us but go through a relatively uneventful welcoming period.
That smile on Baby Gideon!!!
I love that picture of baby Gideon :) I smile every time I see it!