Oh bless you zukie !
DS1 stopped growing at 25 weeks, and was born at 30, weighing 650g, or 1lb 7oz, which ever you prefer. Hammersmith were mighty cross that no-one had picked up that I was so poorly earlier, the fit I had was the indicator that things really were not well with baby, and the pre-cursor to everything shutting down for me. I had him 3 days after I was taken to Hammersmith, had steriods to help him for a couple of days first. Had emerg. c-section, and as he was born, he gave a little bleat, like a little lamb.
His name means "brave warrior", ironically. Not intentional either, we had just always loved the name and 'knew' he would be a boy !
I can remember people being very concerned but because the SCBU staff were always so matter of fact, and down to earth, I think it grounded me too. And nothing was 'wrong' to me, he was my first-born, so I was just doing what I was advised and getting on with it, I suppose ! I didn't know any different !
He was born just gone 2pm and they sent photos down, I was taken to see him later that evening, and he was in the 'serious' bit of SCBU, in an open unit, with tubes everywhere, and with big bubble wrap on to keep him warm !
I think I only sort of 'realised' how 'serious' things were when I had DS2 and subesquently DD. DS2 was stillborn, hardest thing I have ever done, and DD was a premmie but came on her own at 38 weeks, so not as bad ! She spent a week in SCBU, and it was then I think that I sort of stopped and thought how different things were, having one and coming home 'normally' and sort of 'normal sized' !
I wouldn't change any of it though. It's all part of who they are, and has shaped the person that I am.