NICU Survivors NICU Survivors are amazing. No matter how long or how short your stay, getting to go home is a momentous occasion. That homecoming day is one you will always remember. But, what comes next? How do you go back to "normal" life with NICU survivors? Is it possible? Perhaps, not right away. When we got home from the NICU, we had a nurse visit our house … [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...]
Unexpected Arrival at 27 weeks: Christopher’s Story
27 weeks Welcome to another Micro Preemie Monday! Today, you'll meet an amazing fighter who was born at just 27 weeks. His birth, and the circumstances leading up to it, were completely unexpected. As a first-time mom, Jessica, didn't know what to do or what would happen. Luckily, she got some great care, and gave birth to one strong boy. I'm so happy to introduce you to … [Read more...]
Gastroschisis Survivor: Aubree Jean’s Story
Gastroschisis While I usually introduce you to a preemie every Monday, today's post is a little different. Not every baby that experiences the NICU is a preemie, but it doesn't make the journey any less difficult. No matter what gestation, a baby in the NICU is very sick or is having a serious problem. Today, you will meet a sweet girl who survived Gastroschisis . According … [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...]