Love, Aubrey
“Dear NICU Mama, your birth story tells the story of sacrifice, courage, and boundless love.
You embodied selflessness and courage when you accepted your pregnancy was not going as planned and you did whatever it took to make sure your little one arrived safely. In a single moment, you surrendered your own hopes and dreams and became an advocate for your baby. You were courageous when you trusted the doctors with your baby's and your own life. And even when you were uncertain of how things would end, you comforted your baby and promised to fight alongside them every step of the way. It took immense bravery to recover in your hospital room without your baby at your side. Despite your own physical and emotional pain, you gathered strength to go to the NICU as soon as you could to be with your baby.
Your birth story tells the story of a warrior mother who showed up and fought for her baby with every sunrise. Your endurance, faith, and unwavering love for your little one is admirable and worth recognizing. Never forget how strong you are, dear mama. You are incredible.”
Love,
Aubrey
More of Aubrey + Rosalia’s NICU Journey:
“My daughter Rosalía was born in June 2023 at 24+6 due to a combination of chorioamnionitis, placental abruption, and preterm labor. I had been experiencing cramping and some bleeding for 2 weeks leading up to her birth and had one overnight stay in the hospital 3 days before she was born, but the doctors couldn't see anything wrong and sent me home. The day she wS born I had multiple gushes of blood and clear fluid and began having contractions so we rushed back to the hospital. We were told she was in distress and that I needed an emergency C-section. She was born weighing 1 lb 6 oz. I only got to see her for a minute and hold her tiny hand before she was taken by an ambulance to another hospital with a bigger NICU and I didn't see her again until 2 days later when I was discharged. She spent 139 days in the NICU. During that time my husband and I had to figure out how to balance the NICU and home life as we had a 3.5 year old son at home and my husband was in the middle of his PhD program. We are thankful for our families and church friends that helped us by watching our son and making us meals throughout those 4.5 months.
I first got to hold her after 17 days, and it became my favorite thing to do with her. It made my heart so happy and peaceful to have her close to me again. In the first week of August, our family tested positive for COVID and we were unable to visit the NICU until we were symptom free. The heartbreak I felt being completely separated from Rosalía was unbearable, it was one of the most painful experiences of my life. I was able to see her again after 10 days, and when I first walked into her room I was filled was indescribable joy to be reunited with her. She was the most beautiful and perfect baby to me.
Rosalía came home on October 29th, 2023. She was on oxygen at home for 7 months and had many feeding difficulties along the way but is now a healthy and happy 19 month old! She loves Blue's Clues, looking at her books, playing with her brother, and still loves taking naps on her mama. She is our little miracle.”
