Child's Birth Year
2021

State/Province/Territory
Florida

NICU Hospital for my journey
St.Marys medical Center

My NICU Graduate's Journey
We unexpectedly got admitted to St. Mary’s on New Years Eve 2020 due to Preeclampsia and severe IUGR. We were shocked that this could be happening to us after all that we had been through with trying to conceive. The fear of having to birth alone kept haunting my mind since we were in the middle of the Pandemic. We celebrated New Years in the hospital. Thankfully it all went well. We spent a few days in the hospital until the decision to have Asali via C-section on Jan 3rd, 2021. Seeing how tiny she was really shocked us. Even though she was tiny, she was feisty. She was the princess of the NICU. We spent 66 days in the NICU every single day. 12-14 hrs shifts. If we could’ve stayed there 24 hours, we would have. Birthing and staying in the NICU during the pandemic was something nobody could prepare you for. But we did it! The nurses and doctors were nothing but amazing during our stay. To see Asali thrive every day, I knew it was because of the great care of the staff.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
We are so proud of her because she is so determined. To see where she has come from still till this date inspires the medical providers that cared for her. Asali today is an adventurous 3 year old. You wouldn’t believe she was born at 29 weeks. She loves playing with her little brother, dancing, making pizza, and saying hi to every person that walks by! She is truly a miracle

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
2 lbs

Weeks Gestation
29 Weeks

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