Child's Birth Year
2021

State/Province/Territory
Maryland

NICU Hospital for my journey
Children’s National Hospital

My NICU Graduate's Journey
My Ember was born in May 2021, what started out as a regular non stress test turned her into being born the same day. During the hour long ultrasound she didn’t move. My doctor decided she needed to come out. I was laying on the operating table when they pulled her out she wasn’t breathing. I remember them rushing her out and I closed my eyes taking a deep breath. Once I was in recovery the on call pediatrician came in and said that they think she had a seizure and wanted her to start the cooling down process and would have to be transferred to Children’s. Because it was still during COVID I could only have 1 support person there. I told my husband he needed to be with our daughter. I couldn’t have anyone come visit me. I was in the recovery room and the nurses started wheeling all the baby stuff out of the room. I was at the last room at the end of the hallway. No one really came in and checked on me. I saw my daughter over FaceTime and the camera the NICU provided. I finally got to hold her when she was 4 days old. She had some jaundice and needed the bilirubin light.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
My daughter amazes me everyday. Her first year was the hardest. She had 15 months of occupational therapy due to her birth. She was delayed on meeting milestones. Once she turned 2 she has been unstoppable since. She is so smart, loving and kindhearted. She inspires me everyday.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
7lbs 2oz

Weeks Gestation
37 weeks

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