Friday Update

First off.. no change. We are now on our 8th day here. Dr Motan said today we have lasted longer than he has seen anyone last. Abby just has to be better at this too! :-) I've been doing a lot of research on facts surrounding preemies and success rates. There are a variety of different opinions on these rates, but a general consensus seems to be:

• 21 weeks or less: 0% survival rate
• 22 weeks: 0-10% survival rate
• 23 weeks: 10-35% survival rate
• 24 weeks: 40-70% survival rate
• 25 weeks: 50-80% survival rate
• 26 weeks: 80-90% survival rate
• 27 weeks: greater than 90% survival rate

You can see the huge gains we get moving into week 25. The other factor that increase the chances is fetal weight. Normal weights for 24 weeks is about 1 lb, and both our babies were higher than that when weighed at 24 weeks (1 lb 14oz and 1lb 8oz). This would index the survival rates higher.

We also had another BM today (by we I mean Abby, but I'm about as excited as she is). Seriously, someone will have to make fun of this at some future dinner party when we are through with all this, because we are ridiculously attached to the movement of Abby's bowels.

Abby is still quite uncomfortable, but spirits were higher today. Lots of support from the nurses and doctors here who continue to drop by and congratulate her for still being here. Abby's friend Linda, who now lives in Edmonton, and got the notification of the blog came by today for a visit, which was great. We had Abby's mom, Kim and Linda all in one day, and Jody coming in tommorrow, so there is lots going on, and Abby is getting lots of support.

Thanks to everyone out there who has left comments on this blog. Abby reads them and it puts a big smile on her face, so keep 'em coming.