Premature Birth Reality Every mom-to-be has hopes and dreams about what her pregnancy and birth will be like. Some of us even make birth plans, as we decorate our nursery and register for our baby shower. But, when your baby comes unexpectedly, things change. Unfortunately, premature birth reality can be quite different from what you pictured. Often, there isn't time for a … [Read more...]
NICU Survivors: Life at Home
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...]
Precious Preemie Moments, Brix Michael-Dean’s story
Precious Preemie Moments The first time holding your newborn baby is a special moment for any new mom. However, a preemie mom doesn't always get to experience those things right away. It may be days, even weeks, before she gets to hold her baby, so when it finally happens it can be amazing. Those precious preemie moments are forever etched in her heart. Changing diapers, … [Read more...]
Recovering from trauma, but still experiencing triggers
If you've ever experienced a traumatic event, which I sincerely hope you haven't, it really sticks with you. At least, it has really stayed with me. Many of my blog posts come from that event, which was my twin pregnancy and everything that followed. Because it's always right there in the back of my mind, things I see, things I hear, and even things I smell, bring me … [Read more...]