Child's Birth Year
2020

State/Province/Territory
Oklahoma

NICU Hospital for my journey
St. Francis Children’s Hospital

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Nathan was 6 weeks early when Mommy noticed something wasn’t right and went into labor and Nathan had low fetal heart tones. He decided that he wanted to be born the day before Big Brother's birthday! He weighed 7 lbs and was 18 inches long! He was a chubby preemie, but Mommy is also a diabetic and that caused a few problems along the way. He was rushed from the delivery room to the NICU before Mommy got to really see him but Daddy was right beside him as much as he could! He was born with a small hole in his heart, hypoglycemia and respiratory problems. He was a fighter from the start! It was 5 days before he got to be held by Mommy long enough for the nurse to change his bed, then another 4 days before Daddy was able to hold him! After 21 long days away from Big Brother and Big Sister, Nathan got to go home! Even though it doesn’t seem like a long time it seemed liked forever in the NICU and was scary at times! After almost a year and a half, the hole in his heart had healed itself and he had no signs of respiratory problems! He has amazed us with how quickly he has grown! We have been blessed with such an amazing medical staff from the beginning and now! He is now an awesome 4 yr old and will be in Pre K this year!

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
Nathan asks about his pictures with monitors and tubes and says he wants to help little babies be better and get to go home too! He has such a loving heart!

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
7 lbs

Weeks Gestation
34 Weeks

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