Prematurity is a unique and often unexpected experience that disrupts the lives of families. In this article, we share the story of Gaspard, born prematurely, through the words of his mother. She reflects on the difficult moments, the beautiful victories, and the lessons learned from this journey. A sincere testimony to provide support and hope to all parents affected.
Can you tell us about Gaspard's birth and how you learned he would be premature?
My first pregnancy went very well until six and a half months. I was in great shape, working, exercising... But from that moment on, I started having high blood pressure, and the ultrasound revealed significant growth restriction in the baby. As the days passed, signs of early preeclampsia quickly appeared, and I was hospitalized under close surveillance. That’s when I knew Gaspard would arrive early. The doctors had prepared me. I finally gave birth at 34 weeks by cesarean section, as my pregnancy could not safely continue to term without significant risks for my baby and me.
The First Moments of Life
How did you experience those first moments with him? Were you able to bond despite the special conditions?
My wife Charlotte was able to do skin-to-skin with him and take photos for me. But the absence of my baby during those first hours was very difficult to endure. I felt so empty, no longer having him in my belly or against me... I couldn’t sleep all night. All I wanted the next morning was to go see my son in the neonatal unit. What an incredible moment of joy, despite the circumstances, when I was finally able to hold him in my arms.
The Hospital Experience
How long did you stay in the hospital after birth, and what were the biggest challenges (such as establishing breastfeeding) during this period? Did the skin-to-skin moments with him help?
We spent almost a month and a half in the hospital after Gaspard’s birth. During our stay, we were transferred from one hospital to another so that I could be in a neonatal room with my son. The hospital where I gave birth didn’t have mother/baby rooms, so I had to sleep in the maternity ward while Gaspard was in the neonatal unit. We were a bit far from home due to a lack of space at the hospital near us.
Breastfeeding was really important to me from the start. It was challenging... Gaspard had difficulty latching and kept falling asleep while nursing, so I did exclusive pumping for three months. We spent a lot of time doing skin-to-skin with him. It is extremely beneficial for babies, especially for premature ones. It warms them up, regulates their temperature and heart rate. It is also very soothing for them, especially in a medical environment with sometimes stressful noises and lights.
Emotions and Fears
How did you manage the emotions and fears related to Gaspard's prematurity?
It was a rollercoaster! I wasn’t expecting it at all... and at the same time, it happened so fast. We hadn’t even prepared the nursery or all the details for our baby’s arrival. The separation after birth was hard to handle, but at the same time, Gaspard quickly gained strength, and the signs were encouraging. His weight gain was something that stressed me a lot (he was born at 1.62 kg).
Today, he is five years old. I have very emotional memories of those first months and everything we went through together. We also met incredible people during those moments that marked our lives.