Went to the pediatrician today. The pediatrician checked everything. It was a really long exam, and he's the spouse of my sister's best friend, so he gave up his lunch to see us. He says Max is mostly normal for a child his adjusted age (read for 7 weeks old). Max IS behind (between 3-5 weeks, even adjusted). But, it's measurable, and in one area only. He doesn't SAY much, but he's doing well in other areas. He is vocally behind, but gross-motor skills are ahead.
He holds his head oddly because it's shaped really ROUND. It's a birth "defect" that will look really good when he goes bald like all the other men in my family. It's not a "defect" exactly, but it doesn't allow him to sleep comfortable flat on his back, so he arches. This causes him to slump a bit when being held, which also freaked us out. That it's just a round issue is SO RELIEVING. I'm supposed to get Max a gel-filled donut to sleep on so he can actually sleep with his head on his back or else the sides of his head will get flatish (probably more flat on one side than on the other.) Max is doing well with muscle tone!! This is huge, and is a great factor meaning probably NOT cerebral palsy.
Max gave me a REAL smile today---whole face lit up, and he has a dimple we didn't know about!! He also has a funny half-grin that really freaked me out when I thought he had cerebral palsy (Thought it was evidence of a stroke at birth) but the pediatrician says it's "just cute" and that if he can move his whole face (and he can) he didn't have a stroke. They checked his reflexes--legs a bit weak, but they have slower growth and come later in development--not supposed to worry too much yet. He gave the doctor a HUGE smile. It was great. Max found himself in the mirror (didn't know it was himself, but he saw the baby and was very interested). Max could not have performed better for him, and the news was very, very good.
Anyway, it doesn't mean he won't have some damage (he's still 3-ish weeks behind vocally), but it does mean he's moving closer to normal, and he can SEE!!! And he doesn't seem to have motor damage. I am so, so grateful. We'll have to wait and see on the neurological damage, but OMG, I am relieved. I have been feeling guilty because I wanted this baby so bad, and then I had every problem under the sun, spent hideous amounts of time in hospital, and on meds, etc. I was feeling like my selfishness was going to be his burden. At least I know he will be mostly normal. I also do know I can't do anything about being so selfish and that guilt doesn't help---but I do feel it!!.Chances are still good that he's got a few problems---but we can mark off cerebral palsy, and there are no signs of stroke (which was another concern. Preemies often have brain bleeds or strokes, and we saw a couple of potential signals for that. The pediatrician said the signs we saw could just be misfirings from immature nerves. Thank God for that, too.)
To top off Max's amazing day, he ROLLED OVER front to back. He performed such feat with 3 witnesses, Dad, Mama, and Xandri. He also thought it was great fun to flip himself over. I guess it's his time to shine. Thank Heavens! Thanks for all the prayers!
Max gave me a REAL smile today---whole face lit up, and he has a dimple we didn't know about!! He also has a funny half-grin that really freaked me out when I thought he had cerebral palsy (Thought it was evidence of a stroke at birth) but the pediatrician says it's "just cute" and that if he can move his whole face (and he can) he didn't have a stroke. They checked his reflexes--legs a bit weak, but they have slower growth and come later in development--not supposed to worry too much yet. He gave the doctor a HUGE smile. It was great. Max found himself in the mirror (didn't know it was himself, but he saw the baby and was very interested). Max could not have performed better for him, and the news was very, very good.
Anyway, it doesn't mean he won't have some damage (he's still 3-ish weeks behind vocally), but it does mean he's moving closer to normal, and he can SEE!!! And he doesn't seem to have motor damage. I am so, so grateful. We'll have to wait and see on the neurological damage, but OMG, I am relieved. I have been feeling guilty because I wanted this baby so bad, and then I had every problem under the sun, spent hideous amounts of time in hospital, and on meds, etc. I was feeling like my selfishness was going to be his burden. At least I know he will be mostly normal. I also do know I can't do anything about being so selfish and that guilt doesn't help---but I do feel it!!.Chances are still good that he's got a few problems---but we can mark off cerebral palsy, and there are no signs of stroke (which was another concern. Preemies often have brain bleeds or strokes, and we saw a couple of potential signals for that. The pediatrician said the signs we saw could just be misfirings from immature nerves. Thank God for that, too.)
To top off Max's amazing day, he ROLLED OVER front to back. He performed such feat with 3 witnesses, Dad, Mama, and Xandri. He also thought it was great fun to flip himself over. I guess it's his time to shine. Thank Heavens! Thanks for all the prayers!
