Love, Emma
“Dear NICU Mama, When you question what it means to be strong, I hope you know that strength has many faces.
When you hold your baby, tangled in all their wires, and all you can do is cry–this is strength.
When you whisper to them through their isolette and hold their tiny hand, even when you are scared–this is strength.
When you wake in the middle of the night to pump, with your baby far away–this is strength.
When you face each new doctor with a pit in your stomach, ready to ask questions and understand–this is strength.
When you bury your head because this isn’t what you wanted or imagined–this is strength.
When you feel overwhelming happiness at being a parent, despite the challenges–this is strength.
You never knew being a mother would require this much strength, but you’ve show up. You show up for your baby no matter what. They feel your strength, and they know they are not fighting alone and that you are there beside them every step of the way. And as you walk this path, one that is so different from the one you imagined, know that there is a sisterhood who walks besides you. We know the strength it takes to keep going, to face your fears each day, and to love your baby as fiercely as you do. We know you are doing your best, and on the days you feel yourself stumble, reach for us–we will be there to catch you.
Most of all, NICU mama, remember you are stronger than you know. And while this road is long, hard, and challenging, you have made it this far. And you will continue to move forward. The NICU and its aftermath is not forever, but the strength you have built within is, and it will carry you much further.”
Love,
Emma
More of Emma + Jamie’s NICU Journey:
“My husband and I were on vacation in Hawaii when I was 24 weeks pregnant. After we arrived, I stayed incredibly swollen, and after 4 days was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia. This was a shock because I was healthy and had a normal pregnancy up until that point. We were then airlifted from Maui to Oahu, where I was going to stay until I gave birth–hopefully in 10 weeks. However, after a few days in the hospital, our baby’s heart rate began dropping and not recovering. So, at exactly 25 weeks, our son, Jamie, entered this world at just 1 pound and 6 ounces. Jamie faced many challenges during his stay. He was intubated for 32 days, received 4 blood transfusions, a surgery, and many, many close calls. But after 136 days in the NICU, we were able to fly home with a feeding tube and oxygen!
Jamie has been thriving since and quickly ditched the feeding tube, weaning off the oxygen. He is meeting his developmental milestones and cracking us up babbling. He loves to laugh at his own jokes and watch his dog sister every time she is in the room. We are forever grateful to the NICU staff and nurses for all that they did for us and for Jamie.”
