Imagines...

Imagine . . . finding out your pregnant and being told your ten weeks along, then giving birth ten weeks early.

Imagine . . . going to the doctors for your 6-month routine appt. then that night go into pre-term labor.

Imagine . . . being on the phone ordering pizza for dinner, while telling yourself, "These can't be contractions, you're just hungry!"

Imagine . . . going to the hospital at 29 1/2 weeks only to be told by the "High-Risk" doctor that you'll be staying until the baby is born; which isn't for another 2 1/2 months.

Imagine . . . having contractions at regular intervals for three days and being told they're just "bladder contractions."

Imagine . . . giving birth to a 3 pound baby and having the doctor hand her over to the nurses who hand her to the neonatologist -- before you even have a chance to see her.

Imagine . . . the first time you get to hold your daughter is three days later.

Imagine . . . spending 6 weeks in the NICU before you get to take your daughter home.

Imagine . . . you only get to spend two weeks of your maternity leave with your daughter before you have to go back to work.

Imagine . . . where I'd be without the support and help from this preemie-l group.

Jana (Mom to Janelle, born @ 30-weeks on 12/12/97, now 16 1/2 months and WALKING!)