Having a child in the NICU can be a stressful time for families. Often the road ahead is long and trying. We know that it helps to hear from other families who have been in similar situations. These stories can inspire, reassure and support our families during this time. We invite you to read some stories about our NICU families and know that you are not alone on your journey. Below you will find the list of family stories with summary. Click on the story title for the full story.
On June 7, 2001, I gave birth to my firstborn. My pregnancy was wonderful, and I loved being pregnant. I didn't know the baby's sex until Dr. Robinson delivered him and said,"You have a beautiful boy, but I need to let you know he has a cleft." My husband and I were shocked. Being a nurse, my first concern was whether he had a syndrome. I felt major relief when I heard he was OK. I quickly learned what families feel when they don't have that "normal baby experience."
It all started with a regular scheduled check up on December 27, 2006, that landed me in the hospital on bedrest with preeclampsia, contractions and a placenta abruption. Samantha was born by emergency C-section on December 31, 2006, at 12:29pm. - weighing 3 lbs., 3 oz. This is where our NICU journey began, at least for my husband. Because of my surgery and severe bleeding, I was not able to be with my daughter untilthree days after her birth.
We didn't know before he was born. I've been asked that many, many times. My answer is always the same, I am very happy we didn't know. For a lot of reasons really...because I had a blissfully ignorant pregnancy...because it wouldn't have changed a thing...but probably even more than these reasons, because the way we did find out was much kinder than any of the other stories I have heard about how and what doctors say when they tell parents: Your baby has Down Syndrome.
My name is Keigan Wade Adkins, and I was born on December 16, 2009, at a mere 3 lbs., 9 oz. Since I was eight weeks early, I had to be rushed from the Naval Hospital to the Betty H. Cameron Women's and Children's Hospital where the nurses and doctors took great care of me during my three-week stay.
