Child's Birth Year
2023

State/Province/Territory
Florida

NICU Hospital for my journey
St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital in Tampa

My NICU Graduate's Journey
I was 33 weeks pregnant as a Pediatric Resident Physician working night shift. Our little one decided he didn’t like that so he wanted to come early at the hospital I worked at across the street. His NICU stay had ups and downs and leaving your child for occasional NICU breaks can be heartbreaking. It was extremely hard as parents and gave me a better understanding of what my own pediatric patient families are going through. I’m a better pediatrician and mom for the journey we went on together in the NICU. Since being in the NICU, we have remained family with our team of doctors and nurses especially our incredible primary nurse Angie. Angie helped us take care of Beckham outside of the NICU for a few months so he didn’t have to start daycare right away which was beyond a blessing. He’s caught up on all of his developmental milestones and runs as the happiest toddler with the best smile and laugh!

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
When I went into labor, we weren’t sure what our journey ahead would hold. Beckham had to work very hard at feeding in the NICU. I remember celebrating every moment he even took 5mL. He had to overcome some food delays when we started solid foods at six months old but now he loves and eats his favorite foods!

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
4 lbs 7oz

Weeks Gestation
33 weeks

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