X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

My Premature Baby

5 min read
My Premature Baby

Corwynn makes goofy faces as his sister giggles and snaps his picture with the hand phone. Their mother, Mrs Phyllis Yeong feels a lump rise in her throat as she watches her two children play...

My premature baby

My premature baby

Corwynn, 5, makes goofy faces as his sister, Eldrida, 10, giggles and snaps his picture with the hand phone while their mother, Mrs Phyllis Yeong, watches in the background. As Mrs Yeong gazes at her youngest, she remembers the day Corwynn was born, 21st June 2003, a full two months before his expected due date.

Mrs Yeong’s first delivery with Eldrida was smooth and hence, she expected no complications with her second either. Mrs Yeong remembers making no amends to her daily routine of her life despite being pregnant. She did the housework, went on with her part time job, played with Eldrida, took her to the library, etc.

Stormy Days Ahead

However, on June 17th Mrs Yeong started having contractions. A visit to her gynaecologist on the same day found Mrs Yeong being admitted at Thomson Medical Centre for observation. “My gynae warned me of a possible premature birth which I was a little tensed about but not too worried. When I was admitted, I started to mentally prepare for it,” remembers Mrs Yeong.

Nobody expects to have a premature baby. However it is not something that happens out of the norm. In a recent study conducted in the United States, the results showed that premature births are up by 30%. Though it is not uncommon, parents still find it difficult to accept. However Mrs Yeong differs from that set of parents. She took it in stride. Mrs. Yeong muses “I think I was more prepared because my sister had a premature baby around the late 90s. My nephew was so tiny when he was born. But growing up, he had no problems and by the time I was admitted to deliver Corwynn, the image of my nephew was in my mind but so was his progressive development. That thought alone kept me from worrying and the image of him as a baby also prepared me to see my baby with tubes attached.”

As the contractions carried on during the week, Mrs Yeong was medicated, monitored, injected and advised to eat more. Finally around the 20th, Mrs Yeong’s doctor advised her to deliver the following day as the baby was not getting any bigger. However a new twist emerged along with the rushed delivery. Mrs Yeong’s baby’s position had turned because of a fibroid that had grown alongside the baby in her womb. “I was aware of the fibroid when I was expecting Eldrida but I was never forced to have it operated as the doctors never felt it was a threat in any way. It subsided after she was born but started growing again slightly before Corwynn was conceived. The doctor again assured me it was not something to worry about. After a while, both baby and fibroid were growing simultaneously and perhaps my fibroid was digesting more food than my baby!” laughs Mrs Yeong.

He Was So Tiny
Corwynn was born the next day via c-section. At birth he was 1.79kg, almost half of the expected weight of a newborn which is 3.4kg. However, Corwynn’s weight was actually something to rejoice about as the expected weight the doctors had for him was 1.5kg. Mrs Yeong held him for a few minutes on the first day. When she saw him again after 3 days, it was better than what she had expected. Mrs Yeong was discharged after a week but Corwynn stayed on for three more weeks. “I wasn’t too concerned about his extended stay because I knew he was in good hands and it also gave me a bit of time to prepare the room and just about everything else before his arrival home,” Mrs Yeong explains.

Preemie babies usually face complications such as chronic lung disease and gastrointestinal problems. However Corwynn sailed through his first month with just a large amount of phlegm in his lungs. Usually there are many factors contributing to a baby being born prematurely such as anxiety, maternal diabetes, and even stress. However Mrs Yeong does not attribute Corwynn’s early arrival to any of these. “’I believe it had more to do with the large amount of walking I did during the couple of months before his birth. Slightly before delivering him, my sisters and I spent some time together. As it was during the SARS period, hotels were giving discounts and we decided to book a room and stay for the fun of it. We checked into Swissotel The Stamford and did a lot of shopping and walking. Also my part time accounting job involved a considerable amount of walking as well. It must be the walking,” reflects Mrs Yeong.

My Husband, The Raft

Mrs Yeong’s husband, a reverend at Logos Christian Church, helped Mrs Yeong many nights by staying up with the baby as Mrs Yeong clocked in sleep hours. Eldrida also played mother’s little helper and helped with the little tasks. Mrs Yeong not only received support from her husband and family members but also from the church members. Today, Corwynn is a healthy and active little boy who attends art lessons and enjoys watching cartoons and taking the MRT to explore the island. His physical mobility and learning ability are developing at a right pace.

Mrs Yeong’s advice to parents of premature babies is, “Treat them as you would any normal newborn. Do not worry and do read too much into the complications because every baby is different from the next, even premature babies.”

Partner Stories
Nakakabahalang stretch mark habang nagbubuntis: Ano ang mabisang pantanggal ng stretch mark?
Nakakabahalang stretch mark habang nagbubuntis: Ano ang mabisang pantanggal ng stretch mark?
Drinking Milk During Pregnancy: Is It Really Necessary?
Drinking Milk During Pregnancy: Is It Really Necessary?
Meals and Snacks Perfect for the Third Trimester
Meals and Snacks Perfect for the Third Trimester
Mommy Meals: A Comprehensive Meal Plan for a Healthy Pregnancy
Mommy Meals: A Comprehensive Meal Plan for a Healthy Pregnancy

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

ddc-calendar
Get ready for the baby’s arrival by adding your due date.
OR
Calculate your due date
img
Written by

tirlOrdit

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Pregnancy
  • /
  • My Premature Baby
Share:
  • Paninigas ng tiyan ng buntis 19 weeks: Sintomas ng 19 weeks pregnant

    Paninigas ng tiyan ng buntis 19 weeks: Sintomas ng 19 weeks pregnant

  • What is a rainbow baby? Here's what you need to know

    What is a rainbow baby? Here's what you need to know

  • Folic Acid: Why it's important for pregnant moms to take it in the First Trimester

    Folic Acid: Why it's important for pregnant moms to take it in the First Trimester

  • Paninigas ng tiyan ng buntis 19 weeks: Sintomas ng 19 weeks pregnant

    Paninigas ng tiyan ng buntis 19 weeks: Sintomas ng 19 weeks pregnant

  • What is a rainbow baby? Here's what you need to know

    What is a rainbow baby? Here's what you need to know

  • Folic Acid: Why it's important for pregnant moms to take it in the First Trimester

    Folic Acid: Why it's important for pregnant moms to take it in the First Trimester

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at update sa pagbubuntis.