Developmental Observer Vol 19, No 3, 2026: Official Publication of the NIDCAP Federation International

ixteen years ago, I stood beside an incubator and looked at my daughter through its transparent wall.Her name was Ella.She weighed 730 grams and measured only 33 centimeters.She had been born at 25 weeks and three days of pregnancy, almost fifteen weeks before her due date.That very morning, I was still at a work meeting, discussing an important event.My pregnancy had been uncomplicated, and I was only beginning to imagine slowing down and preparing for our baby's arrival.Just a few hours later, at 2:28 in the afternoon, Ella was born.There had been no time to prepare, not even enough time for antenatal corticosteroids to help mature her lungs.