As it’s the time of year when I start fundraising for the March for Babies, I have been really fortunate to have several *free* Preemie Prints sessions being a Northern Virginia Volunteer NICU Graduate photographer. Introducing the fabulous D family. These identical twins shared a placenta; because of this, E had intrauterine growth restriction and a few other complications while in the womb. Mom was admitted to the hospital a month prior to their birth for daily monitoring and had an emergency c section at 33 weeks (same as me!). N was 4lbs1oz and E was 3lbs3oz. Both had normal preemie complications. They had the Cpap only for a couple of days had to be under the lights multiple times. But really they were there to learn to eat, grow, and control the bradys. Both girls were in the NICU for a total of 29 days. They did well enough that after 2 weeks, they were transferred to a hospital closer to home.
I would love to share with you Mom’s beautifully written words of her NICU experience, as it truly spoke to my heart and I hope it speaks to you if you were or are in this position:
I have sat down to write this several times now. It is difficult to put into words how I am feeling. My twin girls are 7 months now. They are happy, healthy, and home! Our hearts are so full. I remember being in the hospital while on bedrest, for a month prior to delivery, reading other’s success stories and thinking “will that ever be us?” Time seemed to stand still. All I could focus on was getting through the next hour and keeping my babies safe. Once they arrived, I knew the NICU was going to be an emotional rollercoaster. And it was. But the lows made the highs all the sweeter. I found it more difficult after my babies finally came home. I was on autopilot just doing what I had to while caring for my twins in the NICU and my family at home. I looked back at my NICU experience and struggled with feelings of guilt, grief, and sadness. What I hope to let others know is that if you too feel or have felt this way, there is healing. I can now see the blessings that came at such a difficult time in mine and my family’s life. At the end of each exhausting day, find the positives. Whether it was a kind nurse, another milestone met, or just knowing you have your sweet little one/s here. This trial will pass and you will be stronger for having gone through it.
