Pregnancy Week 28

Another big milestone, Week 28! Eric and I had a wonderful weekend celebrating Valentine's Day together at home. We watched old movies and the Olympics, Eric made me breakfast, bought a special dinner and even brought me beautiful flowers. I couldn't ask for anything more! Valentine's Day was also special this year because it was exactly a month since I was admitted to the hospital. I have made it 4 1/2 weeks since then and have to say that makes me so thankful and even a little proud! This hasn't been easy. Like the weeks before, Week 28 is a wonderful milestone because Addi continues to grow, getting bigger and stronger every day.

From my belly: Our baby measures about 10 inches from crown to rump, or a total length of about 15.75 inches from head to toe, and weighs about 2.4 pounds. That's about the size of a cabbage! She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world. Brain waves show rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which means Addi may be dreaming. Eyelids are opening. Branches of lungs are developing and continue to mature!

I didn't realize how important this week was until I read this article by the March of Dimes, the leading organization for pregnancy and premature babies:

What about babies born at 28 to 31 weeks gestation?
These babies look quite similar to babies born earlier, although they are larger (usually between 2 and 4 pounds) and even more likely to survive, about 96 percent. Many require treatment with oxygen, surfactant and assistance to help them breathe. Some of these babies can be fed breast milk or formula through a tube placed through their nose or mouth into the stomach, although others need to be fed intravenously. Some of these babies can cry. They can move, although their movements may be jerky. A baby born at this time can grasp a person’s finger. These babies can open their eyes, and they begin to stay awake and alert for short period. Babies born at 28 to 31 weeks are at risk for the same complications as babies born before 28 weeks. When complications occur, however, they may not be as severe as in babies born earlier. Babies born with very low birth weight (less than 3 pounds, 4 ounces) remain at risk for serious disabilities.

This may seem scary and sad to some people but it doesn't get any scarier than what we've already been through! Before this week, Addi was at a 1 in 4 chance of being born with a serious disability. Now, it is still a possibility but the odds are much less. She has a very good chance of survival and we are so thankful! The little things such as the fact that she has eye lashes, could see us and be awake, might be able to be fed with breast milk, could hold onto our fingers and can cry are encouraging to us. We look forward to the future, hopeful that she will be born full-term! However, we are aware of the challenges if she is born early and feel as prepared as scared to death, first time parents can be. No one loves her like her Mommy and Daddy!