Child's Birth Year
2022

State/Province/Territory
North Carolina

NICU Hospital for my journey
WakeMed Raleigh

My NICU Graduate's Journey
At 52 years of age, I arrived at the hospital to check in for hospital bed rest. I took all my things from my car to my antipardem room where I was expected to rest for two months. I then moved my car to the parking garage and headed back to my room to settle in. (single mom by choice, no partner) About twenty yards from the hospital entrance, my water broke. This was dangerous for both baby and me. Twenty minutes later, I delivered via cesarean section. I was sedated and missed the whole thing. Oakleigh spent two months in the NICU and was discharged one day prior to her actual due date. She has been working with Special Infant Care since birth but graduated from that program just this week with flying colors! She actually scored between "Average" and "Very High" on all her testing! And that's when compared to others her age, not her adjusted age. Thats thanks to our work with Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists and Physical Therapists over the past 2.5 years. And, of course, my little fighter who likes to do things on her own terms! My NICU baby is thriving and I'm so grateful for the hospital staff who provided us with excellent care. These babies are small but mighty!

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
Thinking of how small she was (3lbs, 1oz) and seeing how big she is now. (95% for height and weight) Seeing her love of books, learning, playing, being independent, and knowing how happy and loved she is. She is smart and not the tiny, delayed child I worried she'd always be.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
3lbs 1oz

Weeks Gestation
32 weeks

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