Love, Kristen

“Dear NICU Mama, I know you can do this because you are so much stronger than you think you are. 

I see your strength as you leave your L&D room empty-handed. I see it as they wheel you into the NICU, big bright lights, loud alarms and lots of medical professionals surrounding your baby. I see it as you lay your eyes on them for the first time, tubes and wires all over their tiny, fragile body. I see it as you walk out of the hospital doors without a carseat in your hands.

I see your strength as you advocate and fight for your child alongside them. I see your strength as you ask a nurse to help you change your baby's diaper. I see it in the family meetings, the hospital transfers and the quiet nights attached to your pump looking at photos of your baby instead of holding them in your arms. 

I see your strength as you learn more medical terminology than you ever thought possible and as you familiarize yourself with your baby's equipment. And I see it as you try to adjust to your new normal. 

I see your strength as you offer a kind smile to the new mom being wheeled into the NICU to see their baby for the first time. - a silent nod to the sisterhood we all never thought we would be a part of. 

I see your strength because I was you and I am you. Let yourself feel this strength and also let yourself feel the hurt. There is a duality of emotion in the NICU and beyond it, we all feel it. You are strong, brave, beautiful and courageous and you should be so proud of YOU.”

Love,
Kristen

More of Kristen + Amelia’s NICU Journey:

“My water broke due to PPROM at 23 + 6 & I was inpatient in the hospital until my baby was born. For me that was 11 weeks. My daughter Amelia was born at 35 weeks and was immediately taken to the NICU. We had what seemed like the pretty typical NICU experience in the beginning. She was intubated for a few days, then was on CPAP for about a month before transitioning to high-flow. We were in a pretty good spot, until we weren't and were told about a transfer to a higher level of care. We got sent to CHOP when Amelia was 2.5 months old. We spent 7 months in the NICU there plus 1 month in the stepdown unit. At CHOP we had some very scary moments and ultimately decided on a tracheostomy and a G-tube. It was a huge and very scary decision to make but I truly haven't looked back. Amelia has been home since June and we are adjusting to our new normal with equipment and nursing, etc. Anyways, to make a very long story short - Dear NICU Mama has been an IMMENSE help and place of support for me during this time. It's like every post that you shared, put my thoughts and feelings into words. It made me feel less alone. I am truly, forever, grateful. “