Strong, yet Fragile Preemies are amazing. They are so tiny, yet so mighty. So tough, vulnerable.They are so strong, yet so fragile at the same time. Premature babies must fight to do things that full-term babies do automatically. Their systems aren't fully developed yet, including their immune system. So, even though they beat the odds that are stacked against them, they … [Read more...]
Support System While in the NICU: Haven’s Journey
Support System I'm not sure how we would have made it through our NICU journey without a support system. The people that drove us to the NICU, watched our oldest son, brought us meals, listened to us cry, and prayed with us made an unbearable journey a little more bearable. The biggest part of our support system was our parents, and the twins' grandparents. They would visit … [Read more...]
Healing Touch: Aiden’s Story
Healing Touch As any preemie or NICU parent can tell you, touch is such an important part of their journey to healing. That connection is something that even medicine can't take the place of. When my twins were in the NICU, I wasn't allowed to hold them for the first week. They were very fragile, and couldn't handle very much stimulation. The trauma of the delivery alone … [Read more...]
24 weeks: Justin’s Story
24 Weeks 24 weeks is the gestation that most doctors tell you is the age of viability. The age where they will try to save your baby if it is born. It is terrifying. I remember sitting in my hospital bed, a few days past viability and listening to the statistics being thrown at me. The quality of life predicted, the complications that would almost surely arise, and the … [Read more...]
NICU Dads: An Advocate and Support System
NICU Dads While I often talk about the struggle we have as premature and NICU moms, there is another person who is a big part of this journey. NICU dads play such an important role that is sometimes overlooked. Even though it is not their body, watching the mother of your child go through pain, both physical and mental, is excruciating. Not being able to do anything to stop … [Read more...]
