Like all parents, you are filled with hope for the future. But your hopes are tempered by ongoing anxiety about the long-term impact of prematurity and its complications on your child’s health, development and growth. You also learn the meaning of patience, as you wait for your baby to be ready to come home from the hospital. You discover that bonding is not just one super-glue event that happens minutes after birth, but a process that occurs over days and months. You acquire knowledge about neonatology that surpasses that of most medical interns. You consider germs to be an archenemy, rather than just an annoyance. You may find yourself vigilantly watching for signs of trouble, hoping that you are mistaken, and wondering if the saga of prematurity will ever end.

For months and years afterwards, you may find that events unexpectedly trigger a bittersweet mixture of sadness, worry, anticipation, and hope. Seeing other children who appear more competent than your child on the playground stirs concerns about possible developmental delays; watching your child master a new skill after months of struggle brings a rush of unexpected joy. Even when your child has no obvious signs of prematurity remaining, you do not forget-- you do not take anything for granted anymore. This is a mixed blessing-- it means a loss of innocence and ease for you, yet brings an intense appreciation for your child's journey at the same time.

Watching your premature baby grow does bring some unexpected gifts. You may feel stronger and more assertive because of what you’ve been through. Your trials have broadened your knowledge about the world. Your acceptance of differences makes you a more compassionate person. And then there’s your child… The joy of a smile. The appreciation of even small developmental steps. Your respect for your child's own individual pace make parenting a preemie a special experience. No matter what, you view your child's growth and development through different eyes and with a mixture of intense, conflicting feelings. With bated breath, you may feel a combination of hopes and fears, disappointment, relief and joy.