Leaving Your Heart Behind There are so many difficult things about the NICU, but I think one of the hardest things is leaving your sweet baby. No matter if you leave for a few hours, leave for the night, or have to leave for a few days, it feels like your heart is in that hospital. Since the twins were not my only babies, I couldn't be at the NICU every hour of the day. My … [Read more...]
Motherly Instincts: Lilly’s Story
Motherly Instincts When I was first pregnant, I didn't know if I would be a good mom. What I didn't realize was that my motherly instincts would kick in long before I actually gave birth. Even before you see your child, you are willing to do anything for them. Pregnant women change their diets, find the best care, and plan everything around the baby that's … [Read more...]
PTSD: A Very Real Complication of Premature Birth
PTSD The term PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a condition people associate with experiences in the military or surviving a catastrophic life-experience, like a natural disaster or an accident. It is not always associated with pregnancy, birth, and prematurity, but it is a very real condition for women who experience those life-changing events. Worrying every day of … [Read more...]
Christmas Countdown: Grateful during the Madness
Christmas Countdown The Christmas countdown has begun, and it's not been too pretty around here. It's like the boys know they are supposed to behave, so they go completely the opposite way. I think they are actually challenging me to put some coal in their stockings this year! I'm not sure if it's just me, or has the Christmas countdown felt like it's been in warp speed … [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...]