Hospital Discharge Alone When you go to have your baby, you don't expect to have your hospital discharge alone. You expect to bring a newborn baby home with you, and start your family. Prematurity robs you of that experience. There is no celebration, no flowers, and no one trying to sneak a peek of your baby as you're wheeled out. Watching other new families … [Read more...]
An Emergency C-Section and a Premature Birth
Emergency C-Section I had my tonsils removed when I was 19. Before that, the only thing close to surgery was when I got my wisdom teeth removed at age 17. I'd only stayed overnight in a hospital one time before my emergency c-section. Scared and alone, with the exception of those 2 small babies in my belly, I had my first major surgery. While my life wasn't in danger, It … [Read more...]
Moment to Moment in the NICU: Waylon’s Story
Moment to Moment Everything can change in an instant during a NICU stay. One minute your baby can be doing fine, while in the next, alarms are going off everywhere, and things are critical. You learn to cherish the quiet moment, the uneventful hours, and the days where there are glimmers that your baby may eventually go home. But, there are those other moments that make you … [Read more...]
Micro Preemie Adoption: Brody’s Story
Micro Preemie Adoption Adoption is a challenging, emotional, and amazing process. So many lives are changed and impacted. Now, imagine a family adopting a baby that is born extremely premature. Micro preemie adoption requires a very brave and special family. As with any micro preemie journey, you never know where it will take you. Going through that experience with a baby … [Read more...]
Holding Everything Together: Luke’s Story
Holding Everything Together When you're in the NICU, everything is a struggle. Your sweet baby is trying to survive physically, while the parents are trying to do the same thing emotionally. Not to mention everything else in your life doesn't stop. There is work, school, family, and just day-to-day living obligations. Holding everything together during an experience like this … [Read more...]