Child's Birth Year
2022

State/Province/Territory
Washington

NICU Hospital for my journey
St. Joseph Medical Center

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Austyn was born at 28 weeks and 1 day via emergency cesarean. Along the way of our NICU journey there was category 1 and 2 brain bleeds and also after just learning to bottle feed was diagnosed with Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) which can be a serious gastrointestinal disease that damages and kills intestinal cells. We were lucky that our amazing nurse caught it early and noticed the signs. We spent 87 days in the NICU. His doctors and nurses were amazing. Austyn is now almost 2.5 years old. Still with challenges such as feeding and still only says about 3 words. He is our miracle and my pride and joy.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
Austyn makes me proud because of the journey he went on with being born so early and the obstacles he overcame.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
2 pounds, 8 ounces

Weeks Gestation
28 weeks

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