Rush

Child's Birth Year
2025

State/Province/Territory
Mississippi

NICU Hospital for my journey
University of Mississippi Medical Center

My NICU Graduate's Journey
My son was born prematurely at 34 weeks due to preeclampsia. Although he was released fairly quickly after his first stay in the NICU, our time at home was short-lived. We had only been home with him for 24 hours when he developed a severe infection and became septic.

We returned to the original NICU, where doctors diagnosed the infection and arranged for him to be transported to another NICU in a different state. After only a few hours there, we were told he would need to be transferred once again to yet another hospital for a higher level of care.

By the time we arrived at that hospital’s pediatric ER, my son was taking only ten breaths per minute. After getting to spend one night at home with him, we came terrifyingly close to losing him.

Following more than three weeks in the NICU and incredible care from countless nurses and doctors, we were finally able to bring him home for good. He has since flourished and showed incredible strength and resilience!

What makes you proud of your NICU graduate?
During his time in the NICU, doctors determined that he had suffered several small strokes in his brain, most likely caused by his dangerously low respirations. They were unable to tell us how this might affect his development, describing it as a “wait and see” diagnosis.

Now, at more than six months adjusted, he is making incredible strides—sitting up, rolling over, and even attempting to crawl. Rush is our IVF miracle, the baby we fought five years and endured three losses to finally bring into our lives. I truly believe that while we fought tirelessly to get him here, he fought just as tirelessly for us. We are endlessly proud of his strength, resilience, and determination.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
4 lbs 9 oz

Weeks Gestation
34 weeks

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