Child's Birth Year
2010

State/Province/Territory
Michigan

NICU Hospital for my journey
St. Joseph's Hospital - Tucson, AZ

My NICU Graduate's Journey
At 27 weeks, we learned that Eleanor had IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction). Following bedrest and daily monitoring, she was born via emergency c-section right at 31 weeks weighing 2 lb, 3 oz and measuring only 14.5 inches long because her growth had stopped and her placenta was deteriorating. She required resuscitation and intubation to stabilize, but graduated the next day to a nasal cannula. Eleanor spent 51 days in the NICU as a "feeder grower" and was discharged exclusively breastfed. After the NICU, we continued follow ups for growth, milestones, and to monitor any possible retinopathy of prematurity.
At almost 15, she has completely caught up on her measurement percentiles, reached all of her developmental milestones on time, has no long lasting health concerns, and is thriving in gifted classes in school.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
So much has changed since her NICU days, but some things have remained undeniably true since those first few delicate days. The calm tenacity and quiet perseverance we saw in that isolette have followed her through to today. Her very existence and every step and accomplishment along the way have defied the odds and expectations her care team had given us. That fierce baby has grown into a young lady whose quick wit, unwavering integrity, gentle spirit, and incredible creativity leave us in awe. This mighty girl still does things her own way, in her own time, and should never be underestimated.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
2 lb, 3 oz

Weeks Gestation
31 Weeks

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