Numbers

I might, sometimes, be a little bit obsessed with numbers:)  Kam was my third boy, and Kate was my third girl-the only preemies in the family-weird.  I still am amazed that Kam and Kate were almost identical in due dates and also the date they were released from the hospital.  Kam's due date was Dec. 2nd and Kate's was Dec. 4th. They were both released from the hospital at 36 weeks gestational age.  Kam was released on Nov. 9th and Kate on Nov. 8th.  That's the part that I am in awe of because Kate should have never came home that early for a 25 weeker.  Typical 25 week preemies stay in the hospital usually until at least their due dates, if not 2 to 5 weeks longer.  I don't think it was just a coincidence that Kate came home so close to when Kam did- I think it was one of God's tender mercies to tell me he was listening to me (and I'm sure also to relieve me of my crazy/stressful lifestyle).  Back on October 29th in the post "Feeding Time" I decided to throw out Kam's release date (Nov. 9th) to the universe. I never, never would have thought Kate would come home that early!  And she did- but one day earlier- I tried to get them to keep Kate until the 9th(I was scared to take her home), but they said that they kept her as long as possible and couldn't justify with my insurance to keep her one more day. I had to laugh and think that Kate was just trying to one up Kam- the competition begins.  So, Kate was released from the NICU 3 weeks and 5 days before her due date and Kam was released 3 weeks and 2 days before his.  Kam was in the hospital 61 days, Kate was in for 77 days.  I spent a total of 138 days or 19 weeks and 5 days at the NICU at Utah Valley Regional Hospital.  

As for why Kam and Kate were both preemies- we have no idea!  They think with Kam I had too much amniotic fluid and my uterus was measuring full term.  My body just couldn't handle it.  With Kate my doctor said he thinks I probably had an infection that put me into labor.  Chances are pretty high though when you have one preemie that you will most likely have another. My dad and OB discouraged me from having kids after having Kam.  All I can say is- I'm grateful that Kate came as my last child.  If Kinnli or Kennadi had been a preemie we would have been done having babies and I would have missed out on two of my greatest joys!  Another one of God's miracles!! 

Other random facts- 1 out of 8 babies are preemies.  One of the nurses told me that a study recently showed the statistics that in one year at the Utah Valley NICU they only had 9 out of the 900 babies they cared for that passed away at the hospital.  She said that most preemies leave the hospital with minimal problems.