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...]
Not OK, but Perfect: Luna and Amelia’s Story
Perfect To every parent, their own child is perfect. It doesn't matter what their hair color, their size, or their abilities, when you lock eyes on your baby, all you can see is love. There is also hope. Hope for a bright future, happiness, and everything that they dream of. The NICU can sometimes make you question that future, but it can never take away your sweet … [Read more...]
Placing Blame: A Preemie Mom’s Struggle
Blame When your baby is born premature, it's easy to blame yourself. After all, it is your body where that baby was supposed to keep growing. I couldn't understand why my twins had developed TTTS/SIUGR and why my placenta wasn't enough to feed them both. I tried to do everything right during my pregnancy, yet it turned out that being outside of my body was better for … [Read more...]
A Family Story and Journey through a Premature Birth
Family Story When I first received the email from Nicole about her experience with premature birth, she called the journey their "family story." I really loved that description because it is absolutely true. While the actual pregnancy and delivery directly involve the mother, a premature birth, and the circumstances surrounding it, affect the entire family. Even … [Read more...]
25 Weeks Gestation: Ephraim’s Story
25 Weeks A full-term pregnancy is roughly 40 weeks. When a baby is born at 25 weeks, which is about 15 weeks early, they miss an entire trimester of development in the womb. It is a very scary time for everyone involved, and these babies have the odds stacked against them. My twins were born at 25 weeks, 5 days. I still remember the neonatologist giving us the statistics on … [Read more...]
