Love, Jess
“Dear NICU Mama, You may not know it now, but one day you will be a walking letter of hope for the NICU mom who feels like her world is crumbling.
I want you to know that you are not alone on this journey. Your presence in the NICU is a beacon of hope for other NICU mamas, as they witness your determination and spirit. Every tear shed, every moment of worry, and every ounce of strength you summon is a testament to the love and devotion you have for your precious little one. In the midst of the uncertainty, fear, and sleepless nights, you are stronger than you think.
There will be days when it feels lonely and overwhelming, when guilt, doubts, and fears creep in. But remember that you are doing everything you can for your baby. Your love and care are resilient and powerful, even in the face of adversity. Trust yourself and trust the team of healthcare professionals who are by your side, supporting you on this journey.
Celebrate every small victory, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Each milestone reached is a reminder of the incredible progress your little warrior is making. The journey through the NICU is not an easy one, often filled with unforeseen challenges. But I promise you, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Hold onto love, perseverance, and faith and trust that one day, your baby will thrive and grow strong, and you will look back on this time with pride and admiration for the strength and resilience you both displayed during a challenging time.
And in the future, when you talk to another NICU mother who is filled with worry and uncertainty, share your story, offer her comfort, and let her know you “get her.” For you, dear NICU mama, will be a source of inspiration and hope for your sisters who are also walking this unique and often misunderstood path.”
Love,
Jess
More of Jessica + Liam’s NICU Journey:
“I had a miscarriage my intern year of pediatrics residency. I experienced preterm labor and was told to bedrest. But I didn’t “bedrest well.” I lost Isaiah at ~ 20 weeks. When I became pregnant again, I was considered high risk. During one of my prenatal scans, my son was flexing his arm. I took that to mean he was letting me know he was going to make it.
Around 22 weeks gestation, I started to have early labor symptoms again. So this time when my OB suggested bedrest, I asked her to admit me to the Labor & Delivery unit in the hospital. I stayed in the hospital on bed rest for nine weeks with a few early scares. Till Liam came at 31 weeks. He required surfactant, treatment for jaundice, and tube feedings as he grew. He came home almost 5 weeks later.
But the first week after he came home, I noticed he was making extremely congested noises after he ate. He had to go back on a feeding tube because of aspiration. It was a huge setback and I was so afraid to leave him when I returned back to work to complete my Pediatrics residency. I felt extremely guilty for not staying home to care for him. We had a few choking scares, and even a 911 scare. And my work performance was affected.
But with time and faith, we made it through all of these challenges. I begin trust in my intuition is a mom and my experience as a physician. And today he is a thriving 9 yo who has excelled in all his learning, from kindergarten through fourth grade recently maintaining a 98 to 100 average this past school year.”
