Child's Birth Year
2018

State/Province/Territory
Texas

NICU Hospital for my journey
St. David's Medical Center

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Meet Teigan!
Our full term NICU baby was diagnosed with a birth defect when I was 13 weeks pregnant. Teigan was born with an omphalocele which caused some of her abdominal organs to be formed on the outside of her body in a little sac covered by a thin layer of skin.
Because of this, Teigan's chest cavity was very small causing her to have underdeveloped lungs. After several attempts of weaning her off of CPAP and oxygen, we had to consider other options for her respiratory needs, so she could finally come home with us.
After a long 7 1/2 months of being in the NICU, we got discharged!! Although our medically complex journey was just beginning, we were looking forward to watching her thrive in the comfort of her home, and us finally being all together under one roof.
At the age of 3, we had repair surgery where Teigan was given her very own belly button, and right before she started started Pre-K, she was decannulated and no longer need her Trach for respiratory support.
Teigan is now 6 yrs old and is living life to the fullest. She enjoys dancing, sing alongs with Disney princesses, Kindergarten and being a big sister.
Though life started off challenging for her, it has made her resilient and brave in every single way!

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
What makes you me proud of my NICU graduate is her big and loving heart. The way she shows kindness to others and is also lending a helping hand. Her heart is made of gold!

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
7lbs 11oz

Weeks Gestation
38 Weeks

Time spent in the NICU (Specify Day, Month, or Year)
7 1/2 months