Child's Birth Year
2023

State/Province/Territory
Colorado

NICU Hospital for my journey
Poudre Valley Hospital

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Ivy was born at 33 weeks gestation. We were never once worried about her health of wellbeing, because our NICU nurses and doctors were amazing, encouraging, and gentle. Ivy was in the NICU for 40 days. She was initially on CPAP for oxygen for a day, followed by high flow oxygen for a few days, and then low flow oxygen for the rest of her time there (including an additional 30 days on oxygen at home). She needed blue light therapy, and she spent a lot of time under the warmer to help regulate her temperature. Her biggest hurdle was feeding and growing. She was finally able to start taking her bottles without needing the feeding tube and we got to go home a few days later! Ivy is now a happy and thriving 8 month old! She continues to see a physical therapist and a speech therapist to help with her development and eating skills. She also will be getting a helmet soon to work on her plagiocephaly, but we know she will handle it like a champ! We love our Ivy so much!

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
We are so proud of Ivy because she is such a happy and easy-going little girl. She makes everyone she sees smile because of her own infectious smile (and adorable dimples!). It is evident that she loves life, and she presents that joy outward everyday. We are so proud of how much she worked (and continues to work) to get to where she is now. She is such a strong baby with so much to offer. We are excited to see how she changes the world.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
4 lb 11 oz

Weeks Gestation
33 Weeks

Time spent in the NICU (Specify Day, Month, or Year)
40 Days