Child's Birth Year
2019

State/Province/Territory
New Jersey

NICU Hospital for my journey
HCA Florida Northwest Hospital

My NICU Graduate's Journey
I went into labor at 28 weeks. The hospital stopped my labor and had me rest until I was due. They were trying to keep me pregnant as long as possible. My water broke at 33 weeks and I was in labor for over a day. They gave my pitocin to speed things up, it caused Elisany's heart rate to drop and required me to get an emergency C-section. Unsure of the unknown, I didn't know what to expect. All I wanted was my daughter to be alright. When I heard Elisany cry for the first time I was able to finally rest. She was quickly whisked away to the NICU and because of my preeclampsia and HELLP I didn't get to see until about a week after I gave birth. It was challenging being discharged before her. Traveling back to the NICU every day to deliver breast milk and see my baby. I watched her grow each day in that little plastic box. A warrior from the start.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
I am proud of my NICU graduate because she has met every milestone no matter how long it took. When she was born we were not sure if she would survive, if she would be able to walk, if she would be able to talk, but here she is, dancing, laughing. You wouldn't even know that she was born so early.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
5.5 lbs

Weeks Gestation
33 weeks

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