C-Section

Life as a Preemie Working Mom after the NICU

June 28, 2012 by Jennifer Sweetman 10 Comments

I had all of 10 minutes’ notice I was about to become a preemie mom, which was barely enough time to hysterically call my parents and send a few text messages before I found myself off on a wild stretcher ride and into a scene that looked like it was from a weekly TV medical drama that left my head spinning and body reeling. Clearly, this was not how it was supposed to happen. This was not the plan! This was not how I had imagined my right of passage into motherhood that I had waited 30 years for and fought for so hard for. This is not how it was supposed to be. [Read more]

Filed Under: Finances & Insurance, Life after the NICU Tagged With: 33 Weeks, C-Section, Feedings, motherhood, NICU, Preemie Delivery, Reflux, Therapy

The Silver Lining of a High-Risk Pregnancy and NICU Stay

June 8, 2012 by Dina O'Brien 2 Comments

When I found out I was pregnant with my fourth child in February 2009, I was ecstatic! I always wanted to have four children and I felt like my family dreams were finally reaching completion. At 13 weeks gestation, at a routine sonogram screening, that dream was abruptly shattered. I learned not only did I have what appeared to be an extreme case of placenta previa, but that my baby had an abdominal wall defect, an omphalocele. My doctor did not say, “Congratulations! You are having a high risk pregnancy and a beautiful NICU baby!” Instead, we were thrust into the world of perinatology and genetic testing. [Read more]

Filed Under: Emotional Health, High Risk Pregnancy Tagged With: C-Section, genetic testing, HIgh Risk Pregnancy, NICU, Omphalocele, Perinatologist, Placenta Previa, Reproductive Psychology

Katrina’s Story

April 28, 2011 by Afton Mower 1 Comment

This story was submitted by Katrina, one of our readers. High Risk Pregnancy Throughout my pregnancy I had been deemed high risk as I had a previous preemie baby due to prom at 32 weeks, and successful treatment for cervical cancer prior to this also. During the first few weeks of pregnancy I suffered terrible [...]

Filed Under: Friday Feature Tagged With: 30 Weeks, Anemia, Bedrest, C-Section, Jaundice, Miscarriage, Placenta Previa, Preemie Delivery, Pregnancy Complications, Reflux, Tocolytics

Brigette’s Story

April 21, 2011 by Afton Mower 1 Comment

This story was submitted by Brigette, one of our readers. This was my second pregnancy; my daughter who is 9 was easy. No complications at all and she was even a week late! My son, Carter, was opposite in every way. I was due October 18th, 2010, a few days after our 1 year wedding [...]

Filed Under: Friday Feature Tagged With: 26 Weeks, C-Section, Placenta Previa, Preemie Delivery, Pregnancy Complications

Shannon’s Story

April 13, 2011 by Afton Mower 12 Comments

This story was submitted by Shannon, one of our readers. This is the story of my 27 weeker, my miracle Caleb… I was 26 weeks pregnant and everything had been going well until one morning I woke up and thought that I had wet my pants a little. This was my second pregnancy so I [...]

Filed Under: Friday Feature Tagged With: 27 Weeks, Apnea, Bedrest, C-Section, NICU Care, NICU Parenting, Preemie Delivery, Reflux, RSV Season, Surgery

Brianna’s Story

April 8, 2011 by Afton Mower 4 Comments

This story was submitted by one of our readers. My name is Brianna. I was 24 years old when I got pregnant with my first baby. I had a normal healthy pregnancy and she was born July 12, 2004 and was 7lbs 4oz at 38 weeks. When she turned 3 we decided to start trying [...]

Filed Under: Friday Feature Tagged With: 26 Weeks, Bedrest, C-Section, Incompetent Cervix, MFM, Miscarriage, Preemie Delivery, Pregnancy Complications, Tocolytics

Shawnte’s Story

March 24, 2011 by Afton Mower 7 Comments

This story was kindly submitted by Shawnte, one of our readers. In August of 2010 my Hubby and I found out we were expecting after trying for a year after I miscarried. We were of course excited and couldn’t wait for the first time we would hear the heartbeat. Our first ultrasound at 9 weeks [...]

Filed Under: Friday Feature Tagged With: 24 Weeks, 30 Weeks, C-Section, IUGR, MFM, Miscarriage, Preemie Delivery, Pregnancy Complications

Ashley’s Story

March 14, 2011 by Afton Mower 7 Comments

This story was submitted by Ashley, one of our readers. On May 16th 2010 we found out that we were pregnant, we were delighted! My fiancee Dustin was beginning a new job which required him to leave North Dakota and head to Texas for four months but I knew me and baby would be a [...]

Filed Under: Friday Feature Tagged With: 27 Weeks, Bradys, C-Section, HELLP, Preeclampsia

Miracle Michael 23-Weeker

February 25, 2011 by Afton Mower 15 Comments

This story was thoughtfully submitted by Kristin, one of our readers. My son is my miracle. He is a surviving twin. He was born at 23 weeks, 5 days (we think he may have been younger gestationally now). He weighed 14 oz. at birth (410 grams). We spent 170 days in 3 NICU’s. In all, [...]

Filed Under: Friday Feature Tagged With: 23 Weeks, C-Section, Glasses, Preemie Delivery, Preemie Health, Pregnancy Complications, ROP, Surgery, Twins

Pamela’s Story

February 14, 2011 by Afton Mower 2 Comments

After 94 days in the NICU, Pamela brought her one surviving triplet home. This is Pamela’s story: We were thrilled to find out we were expecting triplets, as in this pregnancy I would be watched closely due to preterm labor that started at 32 weeks with my first pregnancy with my daughter being born at [...]

Filed Under: Friday Feature Tagged With: 25 Weeks, Baby Loss, Bedrest, Brain Bleeds, C-Section, Preemie Delivery, Pregnancy Complications, Tocolytics, Triplets