Child's Birth Year
2021

State/Province/Territory
Iowa

NICU Hospital for my journey
Omaha Nebraska Children’s Hospital

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Blakely was born at 24 weeks gestation in July 2021. She was 1 lb 12 oz. I did not know I was in labor until I made it to the local hospital and by that time it was too late. She was doing well in the NICU but became sick in September and it was hard on her lungs. Due to her lungs struggling Blakely was given a trache and a g tube to make feedings easier in December 2021 . She spent 9 months in the NICU and another 6 months in a rehab facility before finally getting to come home. She came home with her trache and a vent for breathing support. In August 2023 she was strong enough to be weaned off the vent and in July 2024 she was able to have her trache removed. She still is strictly fed with a g tube and goes to feeding therapy. We are optimistic to have this removed in a couple years.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
Watching her grow and develop right before our eyes has been the biggest blessing, breaking down so many goals and milestones even though she had a rough start to life. She doesn’t know any different and is just amazing in so many ways.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
1 lb 12oz

Weeks Gestation
24 Weeks

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