Noah's NICU Photo Shoot

Please enjoy Preemie Prints' families’ inspirational story & photos. 

Consider supporting our mission to share hope with families who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. We thank our supporters, Preemie Prints volunteers, and donors for allowing us to continue touching the lives of NICU, preemie, and angel families.

We pray these special memories from Preemie Prints 

will help families heal and remember how strong 

they were in overcoming their NICU journey together.

A NICU STORY | THOUGHTS FROM MOM

“Our little one is named Noah Alexander. He was born Tuesday morning, October 21st at 6:40am, weighing in at 1 pound, 10 ounces, 13.25" long via cesarean section. He was Severe Intrauterine Growth Restricted and I was on hospital bed rest for a month before he arrived.

On Monday, my BPP scan showed reverse flow and over the next 12-18 hours, Noah's heart rate fluctuated to the point where it was safer for him to be on the outside rather than stay put. It was 1:30am and suddenly the room was filled with nurses and doctors telling us that we would be delivering at 6am that day. I was given additional steroid injections, started on magnesium sulfate and told to rest. (yeah right!) We were both scared out of our minds and anxious to finally meet Noah.

He came out with strong cries and is, with the help of a nasal cannula, breathing room air. He's got a long road ahead of him, but he's fighting like a champ.

We are so madly in love with Noah, it's crazy. So madly in love. I could not understand how I'd ever love another child as much as I love our daughter Grace. And suddenly, this little man, who we barely know, comes into our lives and we are head over heels in love with him. He's perfect, spunky and most of all, a huge blessing. The perfect addition to our family and we are so thankful he chose us.

We get this idea in our head of how this birth process will go. Suddenly, it hits you that not only are you having a baby earlier than you feel is even safe to have one, but you won't bring them home for a long time. You have no idea how long they'll be there and your heart is filled with fear and worry.

In a blaze of glory, these little fighters enter the world and everything as you know it has changed. Only it's not in that terrifying and worrisome way, but in a way that profoundly changes your life and how you view the world.

Our journey has been filled with many steps forward and a few big ones back, but it's also filled with hope, love and blessings.

Noah has been on and off vents, given scary diagnoses only to overcome them a few days later, we've gotten late night calls and early morning updates. But through it all, there's HOPE.

We get to witness our child grow as he would in utero. We're watching his skin grow, his body shape itself (check out the nipples and ears!) and we get to watch him learn to do things that you never see when they are inside babies. On top of all of that, they inspire us. Noah has shown that although he is tiny, he is also mighty.”

A Note From Ashley:

“I have known Noah's mommy for just over a year and I knew the struggles they went through with her getting pregnant and her pregnancy.  When I found out that she was having complications I immediately made sure to notify her of Preemie Prints and what they offer.  On the days leading up to our session I had been in contact with her for multiple things including pumping support.  The morning of our session she sent me a message saying "We get to hold him today!".  I was so elated!  I am so happy I was able to document the first time they were able to hold Noah (at 6 days old).

The NICU is such an amazing place and the staff was so welcoming and seeing Noah's heart rate and breathing settle in when doing Kangaroo with momma was amazing.”

Photos belong to our volunteer photographers, families, 

and organization please do not use for any purpose. 

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Preemie Prints is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization sharing hope with NICU families through a variety of support programs. One of those programs is the gift of NICU photography and preemie photography. NICU families from across the US can request a no-charge photography session by a Preemie Prints volunteer. The family request from can be found on the right side of our website. These sessions are free of charge and for any NICU family, regardless of time spent in the NICU. The NICU photo shoot can take place inside the NICU or after baby is discharged and at home until their 1st birthday. Facing time in a NICU with a premature or critically ill baby is an extremely difficult time for families. Preemie Prints has a mission to share hope by letting families know they are not alone. Preemie Prints currently has over 100 volunteers nationwide. We are always looking for more volunteers to share in our mission! If you are interested, please email sherri@preemieprints.org and visit our website at www.preemieprints.org. To date Preemie Prints and our volunteers have gifted over 400 NICU family sessions. 

This was a Preemie Prints NICU graduate photography session that took place near Racine, WI.

We're thankful to the family for sharing their story & memories in support of other NICU families.