23 week babies: the price of life

[tinytoes]

I just hope to god I'm never in a position where I have to make that kind of decision . I know my brain would tell me one this but my hear would be broken I have such respect and pity for any parent who has ever had to decide something like that ..

 

[leibiloo87]

I was sobbing last night too wanted to turn it over but just couldnt so watched it all and iv been thinking about it non stop all day, I cant say that I would definately let nature take its course because Iv never been in that possition but Id hope that I would because those babies suffered and even the one that survived will have problems I just personally dont think its fair to put them through so much while they r so so small with such a small chance of leading a normal life, I also believe that its very cruel to leave that descision up to the parents as they have to live with what they do then for the rest of their lives. Those poor little babies, beutifull little angels xxxx

 

[hopefulmummy]

What made me a little angry was that I did not think that doctor did a very good job at all explaining the choices to that couple whose baby eventually died. Granted, they were incredibly poorly educated and were not very bright at all, but even I was totally confused after listening to the doc.

I never even knew that they tried to save babies at 23 weeks. At the risk of being controversial...I agree with Holland's practise of giving loving care and placing the baby in the parents arms to have love and a cuddle before they pass away. I can totally understand parents who desperately want the baby to live. But I think that calls for total selflessness and to think ahead of what this child's life would be like. That poor lovely21 year old girl who was born at 26 weeks and was so scared and depressed. I really felt for her, and it odes make you think.

The thing I thought was interesting was that nothing for 23 weekers has gotten any better over the last few years and the docs believe it's because we are at the very limit of biologically what they can do.

 

[spice]

ive only just watched it! it was very sad and i do feel for all the parents that have lost their babies, no matter at what week they were born.

i was born at 27 weeks, nearly 23 years ago, so a bit befor the 21 year old on the program, and i was very very very lucky, i was able to breath on my own and the only problem i had was that i was unable to feed, so was tube fed! i have also not had any futher problems. i am very greatful to those that looked after me, and was planning to start a midwifery couse this year, until i found out i was expecting!

there is a high level of prem births in both my OH's and my family, though my mw believes this is due to a hormone level being low (apparently the said hormone has been linked from generation to generation already) so i will be extremely happy if i make it to term, and im really hoping i will, but if i dont i just hope its not too early, i wouldnt wish anyone being in the situation of having a 23weeker.

 

[nmf1987]

this is just my opinion but i have always thought that if i found there was a problem with baby and it wouldnt live a full life then i would abort.

i just wouldn't want them completely reliant on other people forever. having seen a few things about people that have had lives like that i don't think any of them i saw were happy and i would hate to think i had kept them to go through all that pain.

sorry if i offended anyone just how i feel about it myself. xxx