I have not been on this site for a while, I found it whilst TTC my 2nd child hoping for a dd (already have a ds - now 3.5yrs) At 16 weeks it was confirmed ds2 was on his way - I was very saddened by this as my dh is def said no more and I always wanted girls.

Well, after a hard pregnancy with lots of bleeding and pain, At exactly 26 weeks I went into hospital with some pains and was examined and scanned, I was told the baby was small, lying across and I was in labour and was 4cm, within the next 8-10 minutes, he turned around, my waters broke, I was 10cm and he was out. It was the scariest moment of my life. This red raw baby whose head was pure purple just 'flopped' out of me and placed straight into a plastic bag, I assumed the worst, but was told he was alive as they ran with him to the NNU. After 3 hours we got to see him - We were told he was small at only 690grams (1lb 8oz) so was more 24/25 weeks.

Our journey had just started, Joshua was very very ill, he had a lumber puncher, x-rays, injected to draw off urine, loads of bloods taken and anti-biotics were having no effect on him and we were told there was nothing else they could do, somehow he pulled through - this happened another 7 times !!! Just as he was growing at 9 weeks old, I was feeding him and he stopped breathing - it took a team of nurses and doctors to resusitate him - his heart stopped for 5 minutes. At this point we discovered he had a hernia that needed surgery - that day was awful - he was only just 3lbs and had a bad reaction to the anesthetic and it took him 3 days before he woke up. After 12 weeks and 7 blood transfusions he came home weighing 3lb 6oz.

Today Joshua is 6 and half months, 10lb 2oz, fully breastfeeding and as yet has no lasting effects from his early / ill start to life. His medical notes say 'born in very very poor condition, with a heartrate less than 60 and no respiritory effort at all'

He really is my little miracle. I do still feel the need for a daughter but it has made me see that health is far far more important.

Please watch Joshuas video diary:

http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=50ba66299bbcf4a1dfb84a&skin_id=601&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

I hope this helps a few of you out there.

Thanks for reading,

Amy.

Amy Joshua truly is a miracle- wow! I am so happy he is doing so well now after SO much! I know that must have been the scariest thing in your life to go through. I've had 4 miscarriages and one of my greatest fears is going into preterm labor... almost happened with my son Jake (at 25 weeks, had some minor contractions but they found out I was severely anemic and had a horrible bladder infection). Thankfully he stayed put. I didn't get a chance to look at Joshua's video diary b/c I have to leave for work now, but I will later. Thanks for posting! And God bless your little boy! :)

 I was very touched from reading about Joshua.  You and your family have been through so much.  He truly is a special boy, and even though you didn't get the daughter you wanted, your will always cherish your son for as long as you live.

What a hard way to start.... I am so happy everything went well in the end and that your son is doing fine now. I wish you all the best and health for you little boy.

Thanks for sharing with us.

All I can say is...WOW!!!  He really is a miracle isn't he!!  Really puts things into perspective...makes me a littel scared, but gives hope at the same time.  I watched the entire video with tears in my eyes.  My friend always says that God only gives us what we can handle...I am not so sure I could handle that, but only God knows...and only He knows the reasons behind His actions.  Joshua was a very determined little boy...determined to be here and stay here to be loved by you.  I also look at it that you are just as lucky as he is...lucky to be he mother...we all seem to take a new baby for granted, that they will be here without a hitch, that nothing will go wrong, and not that I would ever want to experience what you have gone thru, but it really makes you realize how precious life and babies really are...and  how thankful we should be to have them..boy or girl!!  I still hope and pray for a girl, as I am sure you still have a longing for a girl, but most of all I hope for a healthy full term pregnancy resulting in a very healthy baby!

 Congrats on your healthy son!

I am a NICU nurse and I have to say that going to work is one thing that really helps my GD. Seeing sick babies puts it all into perspective.  

Joshua's story is breathtaking.  Such an inspiration.  Thank you for sharing.

Your story gave me chills - I am so happy that baby Joshua is doing fine and is the light of your life.  I needed to hear this story because too many women are losing their precious miracles these days.  Enjoy him - it goes so fast!

He is precious and amazing and my heart melted when he started to smile!! We are all blessed with our kids, thanks for the reminder.

What a truly beautiful miracle you get to have in your life on a daily basis! Joshua is an inspiration! Watching that video didn't bring tears to my eyes, but it filled my heart with much love and respect for that little boy who didn't stop fighting! It also made me realize just how lucky we are to live in a country and at a time where such miracles are even possible! Looking at how small he was when he was born, who would have thought?

You can't beat having a son like Joshua. A true fighter with big eyes that just melt your heart. He may not be that girl you had wished for, but he is equally desired and loved I am sure.

Congratulations, and thanks for sharing Joshua's story with us.

Surely I would get a resounding "amen" if I were to ask if this needs to be in "Rising Above" section?!

This is the most amazing story I have seen/read in a looooooooooooooooooooong time!  The video was so inspiring, and I loved seeing baby Joshua smiling in the end!  What a miracle you have indeed!  Your family is so blessed!

Your post brought a tear to my eye. What a journey for Joshua and your family. What an amazing wee boy. Thank you so much for sharing Joshua's story.

Wow- thanks for sharing and God bless you and your son.

I rarely post and am myself waiting for another 2-3 weeks until amnio to find out what we're having for #2. We hope for a boy...anyways, what a story!! what a fighter he is, having born so so small!!

 Any baby is and deserved to be loved, it doesn't really matter if they're boy or girl. I'm preparing myself for whatever dissappointment if it turns out to be a girl but I know they'll be equally wanted. I've seen how my husband touches our baby and I know there's deep love in him.

Hope Joshua continues to make great progress, what a bless he is!!

Thank you so much for sharing the amazing story of your miracle Joshua!!!  I loved the video you put together....it's almost hard to believe your little boy was born premature....he looks great!  I think it's wonderful that you are fully breastfeeding too!!!!  I'm sure that is helping him too...even though you weren't able to carry him in your womb for 40 weeks, you are still able to nourish him from your body and give him exactly what he needs and you can do that for as long as you both are comfortable with. 

I have to be honest though, I cried a lot watching your video...Joshua is such a miracle and it made me wish my little boy I am micarrying right now could have been a survivor like him.  I think everything happens for a reason though.  Joshua was definitely meant to be!!  Please keep us posted on Joshua as he grows older!!!