Is this upsetting to anyone else?

[Gompers]

Good Morning America had a feature about a "miracle" baby that just went home from the hospital. She was 15 ounces and is now TWO YEARS OLD and finally going home. She is trached, vented, and appears to be severely developmentally delayed. The thing that bothers me is that they're very excited to show this baby at home and the mom is talking about how WRONG the doctors were that told her the baby would never live, etc. They're calling her a miracle and going on and on about how wonderful it is.

I just don't think this is the kind of thing I'd call a miracle. I mean, it does give a more realistic view about what saving a micropreemie means sometimes compared to those true miracle babies that were 300 grams and are now doing absolutely fine. But something about this news story just really really bothers me.

Anyone else???

http://video.aol.com/video/tiny-baby-comes-home/1901089

(If the video doesn't come up, type "miracle baby" in the search box and it'll be the first video - don't know why the link doesn't always work...)

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

As you just said I am entitled to express my opinion!

So what is the problem?

That you are telling us we aren't.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

I don't see how the mother's history plays in to the long term outcome of this child.

I wonder if she meant, consider the history of the mother: ie, how long has she tried to have a baby, fertility issues, etc.

I mean, if I was blessed with a pregnancy, and my baby delivered at 23, 24 weeks, what would I do? Just withdraw support? Not want to love and fight for my child? I don't know...

What if this is her only chance at a child? I understand this is less than ideal, but what can she do at this point?

This reminds me of a family that I knew. Mother had tried for years and years to get pregnant. Went through the process of adoption, and then found out she was pregnant, so she didn't adopt. Her baby was born with CP. She is in her late 20's and has the dev. age of a 6 month old. Still in diapers, still cries all the time. Mom is older (in 60's) and was still changing diapers and bound to her bedside. I bet she prayed all the time just to be a mother to a baby, and here she is, a mother to an infant for eternity.

Very sad.

[deensy]

That you are telling us we aren't.

Where exactly did I say that???

Don't be so sensitive..

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

Hi..

Don't be so critical,who are we to stand in judgement of this situation.

Do we know anything about this mothers history.. NO. !!

.....

[deensy]

.....

Oh this is what rattled you!.

I see now. oops

[RainDreamer, BSN, RN]

I don't doubt the mother's love for this child, but sometimes loving a child means letting go. Torturing a child for 2 years and doing everything to keep them alive? Yeah she loves the child, but she's being selfish also. That is no quality of life for that little girl.

[danissa, LPN, LVN]

This reminds me of a family that I knew. Mother had tried for years and years to get pregnant. Went through the process of adoption, and then found out she was pregnant, so she didn't adopt. Her baby was born with CP. She is in her late 20's and has the dev. age of a 6 month old. Still in diapers, still cries all the time. Mom is older (in 60's) and was still changing diapers and bound to her bedside. I bet she prayed all the time just to be a mother to a baby, and here she is, a mother to an infant for eternity.

Very sad.

I Agree, soo sad, was this a term babe though or a preemie??

This thread is very interesting..please guys..don't get heated with each other about it.just makes it uncomfy..imo!

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

I Agree, soo sad, was this a term babe though or a preemie??

..

In my story? It was a term baby. The baby is now in her 20's.

[danissa, LPN, LVN]

..

In my story? It was a term baby. The baby is now in her 20's.

A term baby, with all the expectations....makes this one of the saddest things!

[TexasPediRN]

this story is so sad..and by no means is it a miracle. that child is severely developmentally delayed, as far as i can see. no head control at age 2 sounds off some alarms.

as others have said, i was ready to shoot the newslady when she said "besides the respirator and the feeding tube, she looks so healthy!!"

i work with some micropreemies on my side job. of all the ones that i have taken care of, i will consider one a "miracle", and im using the word loosely.

i understand the position of these mothers, and with the above child i mentioned, the mom made the right choice (26weeker). yes, shes got medical problems, but she looked nowhere as bad as the child on the video. this child decannulated at age 2 1/2 , but the child in the video appears as if she will never decannulate or even come off the vent.

so sad...

i wish the news would do a full story on her- the nursing care required to take care of the child, and how hard it is to travel with a vented child.

i wish the mother the best of luck..

[muffie, RN]

imagine if all nicu's were full up with this patient

how will she do in the longterm?

quality of life?

sure she is cute and precious but...

[Sabby_NC]

Yes I agree with Hopefull that Mother is in total denial. I too would like to see this woman interviewed down the track but you know the Lord has a reason for all of this. We just need to wait and see what his plan is!!

I pray that this woman gets serious help as this child grows, if even it survives serious chest infections and normal childhood illnesses.