Does This Send the Wrong Message?

Specialties NICU

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On one of the other MB I'm a member at, I have a pregnancy ticker for different weeks of my pregnancy. It was OK until I saw yesterday's ticker. I'm not sure if it will show up here:

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I'm not exactly sure that this sends the right message. If it doesn't come up, it says as the headliner: "I'm viable outside the womb". It doesn't say anything about prematurity, needing to be in the NICU, and nevermind about the longterm outcome for babies born this early.

I'm concerned about parents seeing this and saying, "Hey, my baby doesn't need to be in anymore. I could have it now and everything will be OK!" It doesn't say anything about risks, IVH's, and if baby is behind a little bit, at

Am I being extra sensitive or do others see anything wrong here?

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I wouldn't like it either, especially at 23 weeks.

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It's a little political.

However, when I was pregnant, I felt somewhat relieved to know that if for SOME reason I was to go into labor that day, there would be a possibility of survival. No one wants to have a baby that early, but it is a turning point, to go from "no chance of survival" to "small chance." Anyone who does want to have the baby out that early should maybe not be a parent in the first place!

I don't see a problem with it actually. And I'm not going to start an abortion debate here (I'm pro-choice), but the fact is, some places will still terminate at this point even wihtout medical reason. Something to think about.

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It's a very anti choice ticker IMO. :uhoh21:

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Specializes in NICU.
It's a very anti choice ticker IMO. :uhoh21:

I totally agree with you. And it does seem really political. And you know that there will be some parent out there that sees this and completely thinks its ok that their baby be born at this age. Just like the baby born in Miami that is supposedly 21 wks. You don't know how many women have come in and have cried their eyes out when at 22-23 wks, we have told them that their baby isn't viable. And they look at us and just say "why can't you save my baby " . By them seeing this, they will think that we can save all 23 wkers.

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I really didn't mean to start a pro-life/pro-choice discussion. That wasn't my intent. GeorgiagalRN picked up my point very well. There's going to be someone out there who will see this, and is tired of being pregnant, will try to induce labor (if this is possible) thinking that the baby can get all it needs in the NICU and will come out just fine with no problem whatsoever.

GeorgiagalRN also picked up on something else. Someone has a baby at 23 weeks, has that ticker, and thinks that everything is going to be just fine. When the baby dies, she's going to scream "lawsuit" or something because she "knows of" someone whose 22 weeker came out just fine and has no residuals from being born 18 weeks too soon.

In some people's minds, viable might mean baby will be just fine with some help. This ticker just doesn't mention something like "If baby is born today, she has a chance of living with help from the NICU."

BTW, the ticker is changing by the day and does not reflect what it was yesterday.

I'm actually thinking of writing the website that has that ticker and mentioning that it might be a tad irresponsible. Then again, maybe I'm being just extra sensitive. :)

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My feeling is you are being too sensitive. Seriously, if someone looks at a ticker on a website and decides to use that information to try to induce their own pregnancy, I have no sympathy for them, and I don't think any judge or jury would either.

the 23 week point marks a turning point. I think it's a reassuring thing. If people want to read too much into it (either by thinking they can have a healthy baby or by thinking it's irresponsible) I think that's unfortunate...but whatever. Write the company if it makes you feel better.

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Many anti choice groups like to use the "23 weeks is viable" card. That is why I question the motivation of whoever made the ticker(the designer, not you).

Of course these groups like to gloss over the majority of 23 weekers that die miserably or suffer for months and end up trached, blind and in wheelchairs with CP.

If someone is only 23 weeks and tired enough of being pregant to try and induce, then their decision to get pregnant is a bad one.

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Mommyrn07> I believe that you are right that I am being oversensitive. I've had a day of just being down with a few tears here and there and I believe it would be best to wait until this has passed before I voice my concerns.

Dawngloves> This is interesting. You are pro-choice and I'm pro-life. This ticker offends me for the same reasons you mentioned. You are absolutely right in that the pro-life camps do gloss over the facts that you mentioned. Yes, some babies may be viable, but what about the quality of life? Having all these disabilities and I'm sure chronic pain from aggressive measures, that's no quality of life and it's not fair to the child just because he can be saved at 23 weeks.

I'm sure that the people who come up with these brilliant philosophies probably enjoy really good health without severe chronic pain.

FTR: I love my baby so much, but if she was born today, I would say no to aggressive measures. My husband has watched the movie Little Man with me and he agrees that it's unfair to put a baby through that.

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Pregnant women are allowed to be a little oversensitive.

And you're (obviously) allowed to state your opinion, whether you are being sensitive or not. You asked a question, and I gave my opinion.

And again, not to beat the abortion thing, but I am prochoice, however, at 23 weeks, I am adamently against terminating pregnancy for nonmedical reasons. I've known people who have "changed their mind" at just under 24 weeks, and terminated, and I did think, you know, that baby could've had a fighting chance.

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