After six months in the NICU, Josie Duggar, the 19th child of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, finally went home with her family.
According to People, she was actually released June 3, but had to stay away from her home because 12 of her siblings had chicken pox.
Josie was born at just 25 weeks after Michelle developed preeclampsia. She now weighs in at 9 pounds, 1 ounce.
"She has a double chin now," Michelle said. "It is so precious."
Regardless of whether you agree with the Duggars' perpetual procreation, it's good to see them all back together as a family. While I'm sure they're thrilled, I know they have a long road ahead of them.
My son was born at 27 weeks and weighed just 1 pound, 15 ounces. I spent nearly three months in the NICU with him, and I know how difficult it was while he was there, but also how difficult it was to take him home.
After having doctors and nurses watch over my fragile baby around the clock, I was terrified to take him home, into my own care. While I longed to start his "real" life, it was overwhelming to leave the safety and comfort I'd found in the NICU.
There were a lot of scary moments and hurdles to overcome along the way, but my son grew and thrived. He was more fortunate than a lot of babies born so early. Today's he's an amazing 6 1/2-year-old, and no one would ever know he was a preemie.
I, of course, will never be able to forget.
I wish the Duggars all the best.
Have you had a premature baby? How did you feel when he or she went home?
Image via tlc.discovery.com
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Comments 7
Me too, Julie. No matter what I think about whoever, I'm always going to have a soft spot for a mom bringing a preemie home. When I sprung Penelope from the hospital, she spent a solid two months pasted to me or my husband -- I hadn't planned on being an attachment parent, but we were all just so damn happy to be together. I wish them the best.
my son was born at 34 weeks and was in the NICU for about 2 weeks before coming home. he was in the NICU to gain wieght andn too feed. my due date was jan 21 2008 but i had developed preeclampisa at 31 weeks and was admitted into the hosptial the day after thankgiving. i was in the hostpial for abotu 2 weeks before having my son on dec 3 2007. my son weight 5lbs 3.7oz. i hated leaving him in the NICU when I went home but I visit him everyday until he came home and when he finally came home I was so happy.
My daughter was born at 29 wks, 5 days. She was in the NICU for nearly 5 wks and came home on Good Friday. Leaving the comfort of the NICU was exciting and scary at the same time. When I asked a nurse if she'd come with us, I was only 1/2 kidding. My daughter was just a 'feeder and a grower' and never had other concerns during her NICU stay fortunately. My daughter came home when she was just 34 1/2 wks, 4 lbs 9 oz. After that I had visiting nurses and many trips to the pedi to check on weight gain, etc. We were home--but we didn't have visitors for another 5 weeks until she hit her 'due date.' Its definitely a victory to be discharged from the NICU and hopefully they have an uneventful stay at home.
12 kids with chicken pox??? I break down when 2 out of the 4 of us get sick at the same time.
No thank God....I was so happy to take my baby home I would have gone crazy if I had to leave him behind.
My baby was born at 23 weeks and 3 days. She spent 125 days in the NICU. I was terrified to bring her home. She has oxygen and an oxygen monitor and that thing drives me crazy. It doesnt read half the time so it alarms all of the time. She has 4 different medications she has to take 4 times a day. She has to eat atleast every 4 hours. It is stressful and at first I was terrified but now I am getting use to it!