Child's Birth Year
2006

State/Province/Territory
Minnesota

NICU Hospital for my journey
St John's Hospital Maplewood

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Jerold was born at 31 weeks due to severe eclampsia. We tried letting him stay longer but we couldn't keep mom's BP down, and there was protein in blood. Jerold and mom were admitted on a Wednesday and induced Thursday morning. Saturday at 5pm mom's BP was 245/210 and by 5:24pm by way of emergency c section Jerold was born weighing in at 4lb6.14oz 17in! He had to spend 2 1/2 wks in NICU even though hospital said it would be longer. Thankfully the hospital gave Mom the steroids for Jerold's lungs so he didn't need oxygen but couldn't hold temp nor was he able to suck. Mom and Jerold couldn't see eachother for a week because mom was still on bedrest. When mom finally could see Jerold she helped him learn to suck which helped him eat and he was able to come home. Jerold is a fighter he had a febrile seizure at 1 and Mom had to perform CPR. He had to deal with losing his uncle, his dad, 2 great grandparents, and his paternal gma all in 1 year. He had to watch his maternal grandma get robbed and so much more. Jerold is now almost 18 and thriving! Hoping to play college football and make it to NFL but back up plan is majoring in sports management! He also plays baseball, basketball, and does shotput in track!

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
Jerold makes me proud because no matter what he goes through he prevails. With all his turmoils in life and all the wrong roads he could have taken, he has always chosen the right path and kept his head held high. He doesn't let obstacles stop him. He is motivated and determined to make something of himself. What makes me the most proud of him is he never lets the fear of striking out keep him from playing the game. He could've given up anytime and he is still going strong. I love you son and so so so proud more than you'll ever know!

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
4 lbs

Weeks Gestation
31 Weeks

Time spent in the NICU (Specify Day, Month, or Year)
2 Weeks