This image from October 24, 2006, shows the world's most premature living baby, Amillia Sonja Taylor's, feet held in contrast with adult hands, just after her birth at a Florida hospital. Taylor, only slightly longer than a ballpoint pen at birth, spent months in neonatal intensive care.The Reuters News Picture of the Year was one of the top emailed photos on Yahoo! but I can't find any updates.
Winston Churchill was born at 7 months gestation. But it isn't the story about preemies or new technology that I am thinking about. It is that this story had visuals with such impact and then we don't know how this baby is doing now. It was a story just for the moment.
Update: Thanks, B, for sending me an email for the link to the one-year birthday update on Amillia.
Hi from an old friend. I still read your blog, though not as often as I like. Great find.
Posted by: Merry Mama | February 09, 2008 at 04:31 PM
AMAZING!!!
Posted by: Rhonda | February 09, 2008 at 10:17 PM
This makes me sad...because I know that they have always said preemies have only rudimentary nervous systems and can't feel. They do things to them without anesthesia, and I think they can feel on some primal level. Also, remember how they always say that a circumcision doesn't hurt the newborn boys, and they never remember it? I am calling BS on that also. My child cried all day after his. There are nerves in skin and you can't tell me they can't feel it. I endorse circumcision but geez...give them something. With preemies, they can't give them anything because it depresses their already weak respiratory systems. But, I hurt for those precious little babies. Those tiny little red feet...amazing.
Posted by: carron hardin | February 10, 2008 at 11:22 AM