Feeling A Little Ripped Off Preemie Mama?

Your pregnancy didn’t go as planned. It was interrupted, it was quick and it was traumatic but you handled it, like only a mother of a preemie does. 

Not going to full term can affect so many expected moments and celebrations of your pregnancy. Gender reveals, baby showers, decorating the baby’s room, prepping and washing baby clothes and linen, organsing your hospital bag, selecting your labour music list, celebrating the last days at work, the count down to the due date. The list goes on. 

These are the moments you have watched friends or family members enjoy during the lead up and anticipation of baby’s arrival. Without getting to experience some or all of them you grieve them. There is a sense of loss which comes with giving birth so early, not only for the moments you are meant to have with your baby bonding after birth but also the moments leading up to the big day. 

To someone who has never experienced this it can be quite difficult to explain how much sorrow you can feel for these seemingly unimportant moments. Imagine having dreamt of and planning all of the events and celebrations leading up to your wedding however right before all of them you are rushed to the alter in whatever you are wearing that day and married right then and there.

You would grieve the moments you wanted but never got, you would feel an unintentional sadness for your friends and family who do get their planned wedding lead up celebrations and ceremony. And it truly never goes away.

As a preemie mama, I've learned to replace those seemingly missed moments with the gratefulness I have for the achievements and milestones of my little one. There is a reason why preemies are known as warriors. Against all odds, they come out fighting and for so many not only survive but thrive. 

I'm a part of the proud prem mama crew. Are you?