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You are here: Home / Blog / Caring for your Preemie in the NICU: Cora’s Story

Caring for your Preemie in the NICU: Cora’s Story

November 6, 2017 By Shann 10 Comments

Caring for your Preemie

The nurses and doctors in the NICU have a very important job when it comes to the health of a preemie, however, the parents are just as important. Hearing your voice and feeling your touch can be just as critical as any medicine they may receive. Caring and loving your preemie in the NICU is your job as a parent.

While just caring for your baby doesn’t seem like a big deal, it really is. For both parent and preemie.

I was petrified to touch my small, sick babies when they were first born. There were so many wires everywhere, and I was afraid I would hurt them. I didn’t want them to get any sicker or get overly stimulated. I also didn’t want them to know how scared I was of losing them.

The nurses and doctor made me realize just how important I was in my twins’ care. My touch wouldn’t hurt them, only help them.

It was then I first learned about Kangaroo care, or skin-to-skin contact.

The nurse would lay one of the twins on my chest, and tuck their feet into my sport’s bra. They would then cover us with a warm blanket, and we would sit together for at least a half hour. It was amazing.

What was even more amazing, was each baby would be so calm, and the monitors would rarely go off. This was much different from when they were in their isoletes. It meant they wouldn’t forget to breath and their heart rate was steady. It was physical proof of the benefits of my caring for my babies.

Today’s mom realized how the healing touch of Kangaroo care is one of the most important things you can do for your baby in the NICU.

Please meet Cora, as told by her mom, Kateri.

Caring for your preemie in the NICU is the most important job you have as a parent. #Kangaroocare #skintoskin

Cora

1. Tell us about your baby.

My daughters name is Cora Marie. She was born at 24 weeks 3 days on July 16, 2015. Cora weighed 1lb 10oz and was 13” long, born in Syracuse, NY.

Caring

2.. How long was your NICU stay? What was the hardest part?

Her NICU stay was 90 grueling days long.

The hardest part was in the beginning when she had so many things stuck into both of her arms. One arm had so many, she could hardly even move it. It was so weighed down. Also, her having to be given so many medicines daily was so hard.

She had a heart murmur at one point. It slowly went away with time from the medicines she was given.

Luckily, Cora didn’t have a brain bleed.

Her lungs were so underdeveloped. Fortunately, I was given a lung steroid the two days prior to her birth, so that helped tremendously.

Cora had all the typical preemie issues and was on cpap along with many other things. 

caring
Second time doing Kangaroo care

3.Do you know what caused your premature birth?

I have an incompetent cervix is as much as I know. I took progesterone pills during my pregnancy.

caring

4.How are you and your baby doing now?

I’m doing well. I’m currently 24.4 weeks pregnant with a baby boy. (Nervous since it’s the time-frame I had Cora). Currently receiving weekly Makena shots to help him stay in longer than she did.

Cora is doing AMAZING. She’s thriving.

She’s now 27 months old. 32 3/4” long and 21.1lbs. Cora loves to climb, talk, play and many other typical 2-year-old things.

She does do OT twice a week and PT once a week, along with another motor therapy program once a week. She had follow-up appointments with her pulmonary specialist twice a year. 

Caring
1st Birthday

5. What advice would you give to a new preemie family? 

There’s tons of support through the March of Dimes and other programs. I believe I asked all the questions I could think of at the time during her NICU stay.
My advice to new preemie parents would be to DEFINITELY do kangaroo care as much as you can as soon as you are able to. It’s SOOOO important.
Read to your baby, sing, tell stories etc. Make sure you stick with your instincts as well. If you feel something is wrong and not being taken care of, talk to the nurse or ask to see the doctor.
caring
27 months

Such great advice! Thank you so much for sharing precious Cora with us.

Please leave any supportive comments or questions below.

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Filed Under: Blog, Micro Preemie Mondays Tagged With: 24 weeker, 24 weeks, caring for your preemie, CPAP, doctor, incompetent cervix, kangaroo care, makena, micro preemie, NICU, nurse, preemie, premature birth, progesterone, skin-to-skin contact, steriods

Comments

  1. shelah moss says

    November 6, 2017 at 10:06 am

    Oh my goodness, Cora is such a cutie, What an amazing birth story!

    Reply
  2. Christina Schwartz says

    November 6, 2017 at 12:16 pm

    Oh man, I can’t even imagine going through this! Both of my kids came right on time, with the second one being a 10 pounder! I love seeing these types of stories – where the babies fight, and you get to see the pictures of them living a healthy and normal life!!

    Reply
  3. Ashley Bass says

    November 6, 2017 at 12:30 pm

    I just started browsing your blog. Big hugs to you. I had a preemie also after many losses. It takes a special kind of strength to be a nicu mom. I followed your blog since it touches so close to my heart but wanted to say how beautifuly written.

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      November 6, 2017 at 9:50 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  4. Jeanette Humphries Radmall says

    November 6, 2017 at 5:20 pm

    Oh my. I can’t even imagine how difficult it is to have sick little teeny tiny angel baby. I’m so happy to see how grown up and well she is.

    Reply
  5. Tiffany says

    November 6, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    I can’t imagine how hard this would be, not to mention the mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion that would come with it. Kudos to all the mamas out there who have endured this. You rock!

    Reply
  6. Amanda Kanashiro says

    November 6, 2017 at 7:59 pm

    These stories are so uplifting. I love reading your blog and reading the stories of women with preemie babies.

    Reply
  7. SocialiteMomma says

    November 6, 2017 at 10:07 pm

    Oh wow – So happy to see such a positive outcome after a tough start in life. These preemie babies are so tough!

    Reply
  8. hellolittlepeepers says

    November 7, 2017 at 6:28 am

    Thank you for sharing your story. My nephew was in the NICU For 45 days and it was quite the learning experience. Posted for Rachel Catherine @theeverydaymomlife.com

    Reply
  9. Charlotte says

    November 7, 2017 at 7:07 am

    What a great story—thanks so much for sharing these mothers and their precious babies with us <3 the kangaroo pouch sounds wonderful and I can see that as being very beneficial for a developing baby to be so close to mom. And hearing your firsthand account of not wanting to harm baby with all the wires, etc… you mommas are all my heroes 🙂

    Reply

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Meet Shann

Shann Hi! I'm a mom, writer, and dancer. I love sharing my parenting experiences, my healthy living tips, my money saving ideas, and our travel plans. My passion to help other women inspired this blog. I hope you'll stay a while and come back often.

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