Welcome Preemie Wednesday, 10/28

Meet Joshua!

Joshua was born at 28 weeks. He is doing well and learning new things every day!

"At birth Joshua weighed 620 grams (1 pound and 5.8 ounces) and he currently weighs 7385 grams (16 pounds and 4.5 ounces).

The most challenging is: Seeing your baby in pain and not being able to help. Just seeing them so small and not in your tummy where they should be. Being completely helpless and in the hands of Doctors. Even when you think you know something , you second guess yourself all the time because surely the docs and nurses must know more than you, although, sometimes a parents intuition is stronger than anything else.

The best part is: ALL of the cuddles. The skin to skin cuddles are just so special. Seeing your baby/babies hit all the milestones. Gaining weight, coming off of their oxygen, eating etc...

A memory that will always stay with me is: The first skin to skin cuddle when Josh was a week old. I've never held anything so small or felt any love like it. I used to sit for 5-6 hours straight just so I didn't have to put him down.

What brings me joy: Joshua's smile and laugh, his cheeky personality, his strength, and the fact that he learns new things every day. I love watching how happy he is when he learns something new.

Advice for parents of preemies: Everybody deals with and accepts things differently. You and your partner will deal with things differently too. My husband had to think very positively to get through whereas sometimes I just couldn't be positive. I was more realistic, emotional and sometimes sad. We argued a lot and didn't understand each other at all but in the end we realized that the differences in how we were coping with it were exactly what we needed. I needed his positive attitude to lift me up and he needed my more realistic attitude to keep him from getting too carried away. That's why we're all different and that's important. Also make friends with other parents. We spoke to so many people and every person has a completely different story but ultimately you are all in the same position and facing impossible situations. So speak to each other, care for one another, look out for one another. you're not alone. We made some of the best friends in the NICU that we will treasure forever and now we get to watch our miracles grow up together and play together. It truly is so so special.

We live in England. I have to shout out the amazing National Health Services staff in all of the hospitals which have looked after Josh. They truly are incredible and without them, Josh wouldn't be here. The Doctors and Consultants are utterly amazing, the Nurses are amazing and the charities and all of the other staff there to help the families are invaluable. Everyone has such an important role to play and we wouldn't have made it through without them”.

-Chels- (Joshua’s Mom)

Welcome Preemie Wednesday, 10/21

Meet Liham!

Liham was a preemie born at just 24 weeks! He is thriving and doing well.

“Liham was born in Brooklyn, New York on August 29th. We are currently living in New Jersey. When Liham was born, he was 24 weeks gestational, weighing 1.45 lbs. Now he is 24 months old, weighing 20 lbs! The most challenging part of the NICU was to just see him strapped and surrounded by so many wires and machines. It was very heart breaking. But the best part was being able to see him fight through all of it and making his way out of the NICU. A special memory from the NICU that will always stay with me is when I got to hold Liham for the first time and breastfeed. Even though I couldn’t produce much, Liham latched on really fast and he worked hard to get the milk. That moment was very special to me because that was our closest bonding moment. ️

Liham brings me joy in so many ways. But the most precious are his facial expressions, his awareness of what is happening around him, the way he works hard to reach his goals, and how friendly he is towards others. He is amazing and I am truly blessed that he chose me to be his mother. ️

 The best advice that I can give to new parents of a preemie is to have patience. Give your child the time he or she needs to reach their goals. Don’t expect anything and never compare with another child. Every child is different. So let them develop at their own pace. 

 I would like to give a shout out to the Maimonides Medical Center NICU team in New York. You guys became Liham’s first home and my second home. From the way you took care of my son and the way you guys made us feel so comfortable, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You guys are true superheroes in our hearts.”

-Afrina- (Liham’s Mother)

Welcome Preemie Wednesday, 10/14

Meet Emerson!

Emerson was a preemie born at just 26 weeks!

“On August 7, 2017 in Tampa, FL, I experienced the most traumatic and special days of my life when my son, Emerson, was born early at 26-weeks. Emerson was intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR), so I had been going to the perinatal specialists for a few weeks, and knew he would likely be delivered early (due to the danger of him being stillborn if not), but I never thought he would be this early. He came into the world via emergency c-section and changed our lives forever. He was 1lbs 1.5 oz. Little did we know, we were in for a 191-day stay between the NICU and PICU. After 4 months of living in the NICU, Emerson was transferred to the PICU where doctors continued trying to determine if he would need a tracheostomy.

I will never forget the NICU doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists at St. Joseph's Women's Hospital as well as the PICU doctors, PAs, nurses, and respiratory therapists at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. Emerson received the most amazing care throughout his 191-day stay, and my husband and I received so much support as well. We are forever grateful for everyone who played a part in us bringing Emerson home, and continue to keep in touch with many of those amazing medical professionals.”

-Marshella- (Emerson’s Mother)