A micro-preemie baby girl on a ventilator. This baby was born at
26 weeks 6 days. (photo by ceejayoz / Wikimedia Commons)
Reality TV star Michelle Duggar gave birth to her 19th child by means of an emergency C-section on December 10, 2009. Born at only 25 weeks of gestation and weighing only 1 pound 6 ounces, little Josie Brooklyn Duggar is considered a micro-preemie baby.
What is a micro-preemie baby?
Normal gestation for a human is 40 weeks. Babies are considered premature if they are delivered before 37 weeks. When babies are born at 29 weeks of before, they are considered micro-preemies.
Micro-preemies have not had enough time in the womb to develop fully. This being the case, there are several noticeable differences between a micro-preemie and a full-term baby:
Thin and fragile skin
Full term babies gain layers of body fat during the last few weeks of gestation. Babies born before 30 weeks have not had time to develop these fat layers, which leaves their skin looking wrinkled and translucent. Veins and arteries are visible through the thin skin, giving the baby a reddish-purple coloring.
In addition, babies born before the 26th week have not had time to develop the top layer of skin. Without this course layer, their skin is very fragile. While parents can gently touch their baby, caressing can cause injury.
Lack of body hair
Micro-preemies have not had time to develop body hair and head hair may only appear as light fuzz. Body hair will increase as the micro-preemie begins to age. Head hair will begin to thicken and become silky as they catch up to what would have been week 36 of gestation.
Eyes
Micro-preemies born before week 26 may have eyes that are fused shut. Their eyes will open on their own once they pass week 26.
Fingers and toes
Due to the lack of body fat, micro-preemies appear to have extremely long fingers and toes. Their digits will take on a normal ‘chubby baby hand’ appearance as the body fat develops.
Fingernails and toenails still need to grow out on micro-preemies. They will reach the tips of the fingers and toes shortly before their original due date.
Ears
Babies born before the 35th week have not had a chance to develop firm cartilage in their ears. It is not uncommon for their ears to fold over and stay that way until gently pushed back by an adult’s finger.
Breast nipples and genitalia
Nipples do not form until the 34th week, so micro-preemies generally appear very smooth-chested.
The genitalia will be formed enough to tell if the baby is male or female, but will still need time to fill out and mature into a normal full-term appearance.
Muscle tone
Micro-preemies do not have enough muscle tone to move very much. Instead of curling their limbs the way full-term babies do, micro-preemies usually lie flat on their backs with their arms and legs splayed out. Muscle tone will increase as the baby ages. Preemies can generally curl themselves into the fetal position by week 35.
The weeks to come
Unless there are severe health complications due to underdeveloped internal organs, micro-preemies generally stay in the neonatal intensive care unit until they reach an age that coincides with 37 weeks of gestation. As Josie Duggar was born at 25 weeks and is currently listed in stable condition, it appears she has approximately 12 weeks of growing and catching up time in the NICU ahead of her.
Michelle Duggar’s 19th child, Josie, taking breast milk. Why is breastfeeding preemies important?
Comments
THANK YOU!!! Thank you for doing more than just reporting the birth! You have a lot of integrity to do research and put work into an article when it would've been so easy to do what everyone else has done and regurgitate the same information. And I actually learned a few things about micro-preemies. ;)
Now THAT'S what I'm talking about! Amanda, this story was #1 in Google when I searched for Duggar Preemie. Congrats you are doing great!
Wow, that is incredible! Such a tiny baby... Very informative article indeed. I hope the baby will be fine. As for the mom... 19 children! Whew! More incredible!
Well, it had to happen eventually..As a woman gets older it gets riskier to have children. After having 18 it's just a shame. I hope this child has a normal life..These days in the intensive care could be rough and damaging.
Hope she is done and ready to enjoy the children she has and the grandchildren she will get.
It's time to quit pushing the limit..At some point enough is enough.
Please know that we are praying for Josie and for all of you. May she grow more and more every day.
God Bless the Duggars and their new daughter. My prayers are with them and so should everyone elses. Regardless of beliefs, that is their baby girl holding onto life and only positive should be sent their way.
I agree with Mary: In terms of biology, enough is enough on the body. In terms of American culture, enough is enough as well. The Duggers and the Octomom have a lot in common: Extreme choices to get TV time and media attention. Has anyone else noticed that?
Beyond that is the philosophical and spiritual angles to consider. Duggers, who in their right mind thinks their own genetic material is worth duplicating to that degree? And how can you possibly give each child the alone time with mom or dad that children inherently crave? The Octomom, also clearly seeking external validation, recently confessed that she thought 'people would love her' for having all those kids. How are her kids going to feel that comment. That they were just a means to Nadya's own narcissistic ends?
What is wrong with us, Americans?
Very, very good.
Well done!
Very interesting information, I'd never heard of mico-premies,
I'm not someone who normally comments on news stories, but this article is the best one I've seen on the Duggar preemie!
I am not crazy about the Duggar's beliefs, but they are a fascinating family. Beat those other crazy TLC families by a long shot.
Having 19 kiddos is alot but at least they are able to care and provide for all their children. There are so many out there having babies- and "us" taxpayers get stuck paying for them. God Bless You, Duggar Family. Prayers go out to you.
Michelle, I hope you are well! We are praying for your family & such a sad story to see on tv that Josie was born so early. We love your show & hope God is pulling his stings to help Josie thru this. You are such an inspiration! I'm sure you will not get this personally. If you are willing to have more after this, GO FOR IT! Your values are what I'm learning & taking to heart. It saddens me to read what people say. To watch you & Jim Bob makes me jelous more couples don't have the kinda love you 2 have for each other. Your kids are beautiful!! Well behaved kids from the shows. Can I have tips?! We are praying for you!!
i watch your show, i feel so sad ....i hope this baby can join your clan...and live a happy and healthy life...
I echo Elle's sentiments! Great work on this one, Amanda, and thank you for being a writer who does take the time to put effort into a story like this. I, too, learned about micro-preemies today.
Still #1 on Google, by the way! Congratulations :)
I never heard the term micro-preemie. Thanks for the info! And I agree with Grace and Mary.
I am so sorry to hear about the baby coming early. My wishes go out to your whole family, I am a mother of 10 plus I have 3 step children and I know they can be alot of fun. I love them all. God Bless you all. :)
@ Ann. The Duggars' house wasn't paid for by "us taxpayers" but they did receive a lot of assistance:
Through budgeting and saving, the Duggar family paid for a majority of the new construction and furnishings but received some sponsorship from the Campbell's Soup Company, Huggies Diapers, Home Depot, Sears and Home Decorations Collection among others.
So even though "we" didn't pay for their home they still couldn't afford to build a home for 18 people. I'm not really sure what the difference is.
This article is entirely sugarcoated. Micropreemies do not just automatically "catch up" to full term babies when they hit gestation. They face huge obsticals, such as Chronic Lung Disease feom being on the vent a long time, Retinopathy of Prematurity, PDAs, and an array of other medical problems and developmental delays.
I appreciate that people are interested in learning more about prematurity, and that the author of this article is attempting to provide more in depth information, but it is not a full picture. My heart goes out to the Duggar family. I am the mother of a preemie who was born at 33 weeks, and I know hoe heartbreaking the NICU journey was for us; I can not even imagine the pain that they must be feeling with the birth of their little 25 week girl. I just hope that people see this as an opportunity to learn about preemies and support their cause rather than bashing the parents' decision to have a 19th child.
As a mother of two micro-preemies, I'd like to say these babies face a lot of obstacles in their early lives. I personally don't understand the need to procreate beyond a reasonable number of offspring. Nineteen children is absurd. I think this family needs to count their blessings and focus on raising their family. I pray for the little one who will need extra care for quite a while.
I do pray for the baby and family as it will be a tough battle for the little one. I also think enough is enough and the Duggars should focus on the blessings they have right now and quit having more.
My mother in law was born this same way. They actually used some kind of purple iodine(?) substance on her skin because it was so fragile.
@_@
Have just subscribed to you for a second time. Hope it works :)
My son was born at 29 weeks. He was COVERED with blonde hair. We called him our little monkey, and the name stuck until he was about 4 months old. I hope her baby is o.k., and develops normally, but usually these micro-premies have developmental problems.
I'm not sure how much "reality" is in these shows to begin with, but people who make careers of being on reality shows, writing books and doing extensive press tours are polished performers. I know tons of people must watch or TLC wouldn't keep making all these shows, but I can't watch any more. The product placement and mini infomercials are too much.
Wow, poor little thing! It is doubtful the little one will get through this unscathed..micro-preemies are very fragile babies. I wish her the best in overcoming the myriad of obstacles that lie ahead.
My son was born at 34 weeks and he has some delays and SPD. Almost anytime a baby is born too early they have developmental delays at the least.
I agree with the poster that said Michelle should count her blessings. She needs to stop playing Russian Roulette with her womb and focus on her offspring instead of trying to beat a world record. I wish the family the best of luck.
Dear Michelle and JimBob,I am praying for you and your new baby Josie!I had a premature infant named Celeste 201/2 Years ago at 24 weeks and she is doing great and is a blessing to our family!!We put our trust in Jesus and He carried us every step of the way!!God be with all of you!!I have 3 other children and a wonderful husband who is a man of God.
I love watching the Duggars. The family fascinates me. The children are so well rounded and just beautiful. I pray for the little one and know one of the Lord's angels are always with her. May God be with you and yours.
I love the Duggars and i take my hat off to them for having such a huge family and providing for them .Its their business how many children they have .Praying for your new little girl ,well done .
19 children? really? How do you spend quality time with each and every one? What about responsibility to the planet? They always say this is a blessing from god - what about the planet god gave us to take care of? Do they consider any of this/
Bless your hearts, Duggars! Your family is blessed and I am so proud of you.
sheryll shut up
What a stupid women she dosent even look after her own children the older girls do they are so old fashioned they make the girls do all the house work and look after the younger ones the kids dont spend any quality time with their parents
Hey Bob - who thinks Michele had too many kids (a unbeliever of God sovern control over all things) - God declairs in His word (bible): "All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose" (See Romans CH 8 - Verse 28. Also God declairs "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you (Jeremiah Ch 1 Verse 5). God puts us exactly where he wants us. At least there bringing up their children in the ways of God and not letting their kids run the streets....
she is so cute so small what are you going to do when you cant have any more kids?how do u put up with them all hope she makes it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was 3 born 4 months early and that was in 1973. I am praying for their little angel and the whole family. What a blessing they are.
i had two preemies and they both had alot of porblems it is not easy at all..i love the duggars but at this time i think god and them need to think about josie and the other children..it have no idea the work that is involved if josie becomes a special needs child i pray for all every day...
God bless all of you including joie who like the rest God will take care of. I am a fan of all of you, and how wonderful your family is. my prayers and thoughts are with you and the newest member of Gods world. Again God bless
I feel really sorry for the baby and the teenage girls who will have to raise so Mama Duggar can resume her active sex life when the baby comes home. I feel really bad for those older Duggar girls they are a slave to their mother's vagina. Mama Duggar spends her time having sex and indulging herself and the end result of her and Jim Bob's endless sex is dumped on the older girls. Mama Duggar is not a hands on mother, she leaves that to the girls.
Shame on all you people who have nothing but prayers for the Duggar family and baby Josie!!!It is up to them to choose their lifestyle and how many children they want.May God be with them at this critical time and always.Im praying for that precious gift from God.
God is with the Duggar family. He has brought all of them a long way and will not abandon them. I pray for Michelle and Josie.
god bless josie she is such a cute little one. i hope she is alright. luv u duggar family and good luck with ur little 1
I'm going to keep you in my prayers... She is so cute..I love your show... I know God will look out for her she is in good hands.. God Bless...
How is having a big family hurting the planet? God said to fill the earth and care for it. All the big families I know, including my own, farm the land and care for it more than anyone. Kids do grow up, and when raised properly, are a blessing to the people around them in many ways. From beginning to end.... it's all good when you allow God to be in control of everything. At the end of my life I won't have certificates on the walls or tons of money. But I will have eternal souls that will be with me forever in Heaven. No college degree, no store, can offer this. Only the hand of God can fashion a human life. It's not about sex, it's about who is in control of LIFE when you have sex. What did you choose for your children?
I think if you can not be positive you should be quite! The Duggar family doesn't ask anything of you so don't judge them. The family is self supportive and appears to raise independent, intelligent and productive members of society. They are not dependent on the government to support them and if they feel God's leading to continue having children it is none of our business. I grew up in a family with 3 children and we stll helped keep house and take care of other peoples children...I believe that makes people responsible later in life. So to those saying the older girls are taken advantage of I say mind your own business. Isaiah 51:10
I have a neice that was born at 26 weeks she is now a mom and grandma. We were told that because she was a girl she was stronger. I know that your little one is strong. she has lots of people praying for her and loving her.
It's just disgusting the amount of people on here who feel qualified to judge Michelle's "right to choose" what to do with her own body. I wonder if the same people who are bitchin' about her having that many kids would be equally as outraged if she had an abortion instead.
TO Sheryl: If you are so worried about the unfounded ill effects of humans on the planet why don't you do mother earth and the rest of us a favor and "take yourself out of the population".
God bless the Duggars for raising their children with out LEACHING from the government. They act as a real family should act by taking care of each other. Even though I would never have that many children and I do think it is very bizaar, I wish them no ill will. Here's to a speedy recovery to baby Josie and best wishes to the entire Duggar family.
Thank you Duggar family for being an inspiration in your walk with the Lord. We are praying for you..
There's a time to know when to stop. My god the woman has 18 healthy kids already isn't that enough ? Now you get to 19th and the baby is at risk and the mother is at a huuuuge risk of dying. Does PREECLAMPSIA mean anything to you people ?! Just because you can go and have a bunch of kids doesn't mean you should !! And don't you psycho religious people bash me, it's true the woman needs to stop. Do you not realize how much of a risk this is ? She could easily die from another birth. Be happy with what you got. And NO jimbob there is NOT always room for more !!
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