The Preemie Society Blog
Doctor visits with your Preemie/NICU baby after the NICU
When we left the NICU in 2018, I left with the invisible battle wounds of the NICU etched into my soul and my precious 24-weeker left with a list and wide range of issues. We also came home with oxygen and a g-tube. And each thing had a different doctor associated with it, so the NICU staff told us to prepare for the follow up visits that we would attend to monitor Kylo's progression. I am still so grateful for the wonderful social worker who was sure to have all of Kylo's initial follow up visits scheduled already for us,...
Growing (literally) With Your Preemie!
If there is one topic I do not look forward to talking about at doctor visits for my Micro Preemie, it would have to be growth... I know some of ya'll know how I feel! Preemies, especially micro-preemies, often come out SGA (small for gestational age) or have a history of IUGR (intrauterine restrictive growth). So those weight and height checks at doctor visits can be anxiety inducing for parents worried about their Preemies' growth. Kylo was born SGA with a history of IUGR and he has a G-tube, so he has always been on the smaller side. He was...
Spending the Holidays in the NICU with your baby
This isn't an easy topic to talk about for me... When I reflect on my time in the NICU with my son Kylo, I cringe when I think about the holidays. I cringe because I realize that I didn't take the time to really celebrate anything like I normally do. And I ADORE the holidays. I know ya'll see how much I like to dress up for them 😂 . So for me to not celebrate and to be completely numb during them was a very dark time for me. The nurses took way more pictures and celebrated with Kylo...
Foot Massages for your Preemie after the NICU
If your Preemie was in the NICU for any time at all, it’s a good chance that they had their foot pricked frequently in order to check their vitals and/or blood gas levels (especially if they are on any type of oxygen support or had an infection recently). They are a necessary and routine part of newborn care that preterm and even full term babies receive, but preterm infants will obviously participate in these heel sticks more often.
Welcome to The Preemie Society
Welcome to The Preemie Society! It’s so nice to have you here with us. The Preemie Society is probably the only society you get “inducted” into without your permission or desire to do so. But once you’re in it, you’re in it for life! You are family. And not the toxic kind you try your best to avoid at holiday dinner, but the fun kind of family, who you always have a fun time with and can always be yourself around! This blog is a safe space where we discuss the various aspects of Prematurity, share heartfelt, heartbreaking, and...