Trusting
Trusting other people to care for your baby is hard. It’s ten times harder when the baby is in the NICU. Not only do you miss your baby, but you have the added worry about their health. While you want to be with your baby every hour of the day, often times it’s just not possible.
Of course, doctors and nurses are highly skilled, and it is their job to care for your baby when they are born premature or sick. However, that doesn’t make it any easier when you have to leave the hospital without your baby.
Today’s mother knows that struggle all too well. She shares her story of a premature birth, along with some great advice for other preemie parents.
Please meet Adelynn, as told by her mom, Sarah.
Adelynn
1.Tell us about your baby
Adelynn was my first pregnancy. She is now 2 and 1/2 years old. She was born at 24+0 weeks gestation, weighing 1 lb 6 oz and 13″ long.
2.How long was your Nicu stay? What was the hardest part?
Our NICU stay was 129 days. Split between 2 hospitals.
The hardest part were all the times the doctors told me she wasn’t going to make it through the night.
She was at the first hospital for 15 days, and they said there was nothing else they could do for her. So, they sent her to another hospital that was an hour away.
The second NICU was a military hospital and a higher level. Level 4. They inserted a pic line through her stomach and were able to get her the medicines she needed. The other hospital couldn’t get the pic line to work.
Being in the Navy, I only had 6 weeks off. Going back to work while visiting the NICU after was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do.
3. Do you know what caused your premature birth?
I do not and neither do the doctors. I went to sleep one night (I had been having a perfectly normal pregnancy up until this point) and when I woke up there was blood all over my sheets. I was home alone, so I grabbed my fetal monitor and listened for a heartbeat. When I still heard it, I calmed down enough to drive myself to the hospital where they checked me and told me I was 6 cm dilated.
4.How are you and your baby doing now?
We are doing great. She turns 3 at the end of the year and will graduated from all of the therapies she has been in for development. (Development, occupational, speech, and food) She is developmentally caught up on her milestones. She has only had 1 surgery to get tubes in her ears.
The only struggle we still face is having trouble with her gaining weight. It has been an emotional roller coaster for me and my family, but it has also taught us to take nothing for granted, as people with healthy babies don’t realize how lucky they are.
I actually got pregnant 4 months after giving birth to her and had to start progesterone shots immediately every week. I was very high risk and made it to 35 weeks that time! I gave birth to another baby girl named Amiyah. She was 6 lbs 8 oz and didn’t spend any time in the NICU at all. It was such a relief. I have been told by doctors I will never carry full term and I will always be high risk so I am done having children and going to enjoy the 2 I have. Although stressful having 2 kids only 13 months apart, it’s also a blessing because they help each other learn and have a great bond.
5. What advice would you give to a new preemie family?
Take lots of pictures because it will help with the healing process as you watch your baby grow. Don’t feel guilty about leaving your baby. They are in good hands and as parents we need to be rested and healthy for them.
For support, lean on your family and Facebook pages such as “preemie moms” for guidance and questions you may have!
Thank you so much to Sarah for her great advice, and also for sharing sweet Adelynn with us. Please leave any supportive comments or questions below.
I love when you share these stories- they are so uplifting and beautiful. They are also a testament to the miracle of life. I can’t imagine how scared this mom must have felt when she woke up and saw blood all over the sheets. Yet there is her beautiful, thriving girl today. Amazing!
It’s amazing how modern medicine has progressed. These babies are truly thriving. I love her smiley face in the last photo.
Aw, what a beautiful story! Adelynn looks strong and healthy now.
I am so proud of Sarah! She is the strongest person I have ever known. Nothing could have been more terrifying than having your baby’s life in someone else’s hands And having to leave the hospital without her so very many times. But look at you girls now!!! You are all amazing. And Addie is pure perfection!! She is truly a gift from above! I love you all always!!!
I love when these stories. It makes me so happy to see that beautiful baby girl thriving. Amazing.
Wow, what an incredible story. So glad she is thriving now! She is a beauty, as is her little sister!
Just an amazing story, what a sweet and incredible little girl!