Child's Birth Year
2023

State/Province/Territory
Florida

NICU Hospital for my journey
Baptist South Miami Hospital

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Her journey started in utero. From early on we were told we may lose her but she fought to stay with us. We ended up having an emergency C-Section at 29 weeks. She was intubated for the first week of her life. Every nurse that looked after her told us she was a fighter (she ripped out the OG tube every chance she got!). Everything was a rollercoaster. She would be doing well and we would take steps forward then BOOM set back and start over. One set back was when an abscess had developed and had to run so many additional diagnostics. Resulting in her being in isolation. Then she had some episodes of apnea so had a consult with the cardiologist. The scariest obstacle was when the doctor told us they took radiographs and showed some inflammation and would like to have her with no food for a day or two. This resulted in early signs of NEC and could possibly need surgery. They had her with no food for 7 days and as well as 4 different medications. Those were the longest 7 days for us not knowing if surgery would be needed. At the end it wasn’t. She recovered fully. After so many ups and downs, catheters, blood draws, baths, diagnostics, sleepless nights, OG, Cpap, and cánulas she overcame it all and became stronger. January 1st she passed the car seat test and was able to start 2024 at home with her family.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
We are so proud of her strength. She has been fighting since we knew we were pregnant. We were first told she was a miscarriage then followed by we can miscarry anytime. She’s fought to be here everyday. Being on the sidelines for the first 2 months of her life watching her overcome every obstacle that came at her and only grow stronger. Seeing how far she has come in such a short time and what a happy baby she’s become. She fills the room with joy and her smile is so contagious. We are so grateful everytime we hear her laugh. She is always pushing herself without even knowing it. The next obstacle that she is on the edge of conquering: rolling over!

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
3lbs 5oz

Weeks Gestation
29 weeks 2 days

Time spent in the NICU (Specify Day, Month, or Year)
58 days