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 Nurse, but Mom First: Blakelee’s Story
NICU Nurse Being a NICU nurse must be extremely hard, yet very rewarding. Watching them care for my twins, I gained so much respect and admiration for each and every one. Not only does a NICU nurse care for the most delicate, fragile babies, but they also care for the parents of those babies. They are the people who are responsible for explaining what the doctors mean, that … [Read more...]
NICU Bonds: How Hospital Time Impacts Relationships
NICU Bonds The NICU bonds you in ways you never expected. It tests relationships, strengthening some, while weakening others. The relationship with your baby (or babies) is something that is different for everyone. Not being able to hold your baby right away, watching them fight for their life, and all the bad news thrown at you can affect each person in their own … [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...]
Falling off the Healthy Eating Wagon
Healthy Eating I've been on a wellness journey for about 3 years now. It's not always easy, and food is always the most challenging aspect for me. Recently, I've had a setback when it comes to healthy eating. I wish I could say it stemmed from a certain incident, like my car accident, but in reality, it had been happening gradually for a while. While my accident, and the … [Read more...]