Child's Birth Year
2024

State/Province/Territory
California

NICU Hospital for my journey
Loma Linda Children's Hospital

My NICU Graduate's Journey
For about a month before Aurora was born, I knew something was off but was dismissed by doctors. So many premature labor symptoms are common and normal. We were scheduled to go to Arizona for Dodgers spring training one weekend. The day before the trip I had a routine ultrasound. I expected to check on baby girl and enjoy my trip. Unfortunately they found labor was beginning. If it weren't for this, my water would have broken out of state. She was born a few days after that. Even "easy" NICU stays are hard. She had countless episodes where she would forget to breathe. She had trouble tolerating feeds. We had several aspiration fears and NEC scares. Not to mention she was so tiny and delicate merely holding her was a miracle on its own. I struggled with feeling my body failed her and grieving things like my maternity photos. Even so, we were one of the lucky stories. She did not need intubation or surfactant, never had any surgery, and came home without medical equipment. However we did deal with the results of her prematurity after discharge. She developed a feeding aversion due to GERD, and as a result remains small even for her adjusted age. She is my tiny but mighty girl.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
Aurora was born at 26 weeks gestation. She came out crying and eyes wide open. Her nurse said they had never seen a micro preemie so aware. That sums up her personality perfectly. She took every challenge head on with an amazing strength and fierceness. Countless times she took off her own breathing support and pulled her feeding tube out. She was always ready to go. Even a year later, she lets nothing stop her. I am very open about her prematurity because I want to educate and bring awareness surrounding premature labor, but I also want to end any stigma surrounding these amazing preemie warrior babies. From praying for survival to hopeful for a thriving future, she has impressed me every day.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
2.0 lbs

Weeks Gestation
26 Weeks

Time spent in the NICU (Specify Number of Days, Months, or Years)
67 Days