Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Alexandr's Preemie Prints NICU Grad 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
“My son is Alexandr Julius. He was born at 33+6 and spent a little under a month in the NICU. He was 3lbs 6oz and 17.5 inches long. He never needed respiratory assistance and came into this world crying like a champ. He has grown so well and is doing wonderful now. He saved my life and his own by letting the doctors know something was wrong. He has IUGR and GERD. I have what is believed to be Chronic Kidney Disease, which caused my placenta to calcify.


We gave him a strong name and it's a good thing because he's such a fighter. When I was pregnant with Alex he was constantly doing things ahead of his time. Rolling, kicking, we heard his heartbeat at only five weeks along. I started saying he was in a hurry. Boy was I right. I had no idea how right. After quite a few issues and some complications relating to protein and blood in my urine along with bad swelling, and a few times in and out of the hospital I became high risk. They started me on three appointments a week, one of which was an ultrasound and one an NST. At the very first high risk NST we went to, at thirty-three weeks pregnant I went into the hospital for the last time. Alexandr was showing the doctors something was wrong. He began having heart decelerations. I was immediately sent to labor and delivery for monitoring and the problems persisted until the next morning. On February 27th, at 9:40 am Alexandr came into this world screaming. We found out my placenta had calcified, it was rated at 48 weeks. They believe I have Chronic Kidney Disease and we are still dealing with the aftermath of his birth in my health. I was told that if he had not shown the doctors a problem, it is likely I would have gone into preterm labor and he would not have made it, and it is also likely that I would not have either. He truly is my hero preemie. He saved both of our lives. He was three pounds six ounces, and seventeen and a half inches long. I was so heartbroken that he had to stay in the NICU and I sat many a night in the hospital listening to other moms and their babies in their rooms knowing mine would not be leaving with me. Alexandr made great strides, his first day in this world I convinced the NICU to let me try to bottle feed him, and though they said he likely wouldn't eat, he took a whole 4ml from me. He was only on TPN for one day, and spent one night under bilirubin lights. He had two brady spells one evening that were attributed to reflux. Other than that he spent him time growing and feeding. He learned how to eat and then began holding his own temp. Finally he was moved to an open-air crib. We spent Saint Patrick's Day in the hospital with him and on March 18th 2014 Alexandr came home. He has GERD and we've battled with it off an on but with some formula switching and lots of love he seems to be doing fine. He is growing wonderful and has been on the regular growth charts since 4 months old. He amazes me every day. He is crawling, talking, and trying to walk now. That's our Alex, always in a hurry. For any other parents facing the NICU life my advice to you is breath. It will be OKAY. Remember, your child is in good hands with the NICU staff and it's okay to take a break. Keep yourself healthy and take this time to mourn the loss of what was normal, prepare for your child to come home, and keep yourself healthy, emotionally and physically. Hold your babies tight when you can hold them, kangaroo often, and become good friends with your NICU staff. Call, call often, call if you feel nervous, just call. Your NICU staff is used to it. Your baby will be home and the NICU will be a distant memory in the review mirror of life.”




A Note From Lisa:

“Alexandr is the epitome of the phrase "preemie power."  Nothing gets this kid down.  The love between the family was contagious.  I loved watching how they adore each other.  Alexandr was so caught up in his momma's necklace and leaves!  Such a treasure and a joy to work with.”





Photos belong to our volunteer photographers, families, 
and organization please do not use for any purpose. 
____________________________________________

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 Kansas City, MO.


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


Friday, January 23, 2015

Prayer Requests For 23 Week Old Baby and Baby Girl

Please can you prayer for Baby Dexter and his Mummy and Daddy.

Dexter was born at 23 weeks, he is now a week and 6 days old. He is trying his best. Please can we pray his body keeps doing what it should do, growing and developing. Help all three of them stay strong. God protect him from infection and complications. Help him.

Amen

Please pray for my friend's granddaughter. She was born a month early and they suspect Edward's or chromosome 18 syndrome.
Thank You. Amen

We know how powerful the Lord is and he can heal these little ones. Please send up a prayer this day for both of these miracles. 


Dear God, 

You chose to give this family a beautiful baby born far too soon. 
They are now in the care of dedicated nurses and doctors, but their true 
healing can come only through you. 

Please wrap your protective arms around all of the babies born prematurely or critically ill and bestow your healing blessings on them that they may grow and develop into full term babies and glorify you in this world. 

Please hear our daily prayers and give the families the strength to bear this challenge. 

Amen


Thursday, January 22, 2015

NICU Support & Sewing Meeting Bryan College Station



Earlier this month we had a fantastic meeting that was held at The College Station Medical Center. We had an amazing turn out. Volunteers, past NICU parents, angel parents, and current NICU parents attended. We even had a few of the NICU nurses stop by to visit! Our sponsors at Eatology were also wonderful. Nick was so helpful at our meeting, visited with moms who were there, told us about Eatology, and we found out he was a NICU grad too. Very special. The food was yummy and nutritious!

We're looking forward to our upcoming meeting in February at St. Joseph's Hospital in Bryan, Tx. This meeting will be held in the basement room B/C and again all are invited to attend. Then in March we will be at Scott & White Hospital in College Station!

Below you will find more information about our local NICU sewing and support meetings. We hope you can join us in the future! No sewing skills required, just a desire to support local families who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. We appreciate your time in helping. If you don't live in our area or don't have time to attend meetings, and you still would like to help, we invite you to become a sew-at-home volunteer! You can contact Jen@preemieprints.org to learn more.

We were so happy to drop off 20 NICU positioning devices & 18 NICU gift bundles to be used and distributed to families in the NICU at The College Station Medical Center (Med Center). Every family who comes through one of our local NICUs should receive a gift bundle. If you don't please contact us or ask a nurse! We will get one to you. We're looking forward to replenishing the supply at St. Joseph's in just a few short weeks.

January 2015 Donation Drop Off
The Med, College Station, Tx


About our local meetings: 

This year we are holding a sewing & support meeting one time per month, on the 2nd Thursday of every month, on a rotating hospital basis. These meetings are held in Bryan/College Station. Thank you for helping us to share hope with so many by attending or volunteering remotely.

We invite sewing volunteers, NICU families (past and present), and angel families to attend this meeting! We will use our time each meeting to make special items for families in the NICU and also offer our support to any current NICU families who attend.

A meal will be provided at each meeting for all volunteers & families who attend.

This year we will also begin making our new angel gift for families who experience an infant loss. We invite all angel families to join us in making these gifts to share hope with other angel families.

At the close of each meeting we will all drop off our donations to the NICU including positioning devices, NICU gift bundles, and angel gifts.

Thank you for being apart of these very important meetings in support of NICU & angel families! We will be working on positioners, giraffes, outfits and other projects needed. Bring a sewing machine if you have one or just bring yourself. No SEWING SKILLS required!!

TO CURRENT NICU FAMILIES:

Why Attend?

- warm welcoming environment for meeting other families
- parent-to-parent support
- share your story & feelings
- ask questions about your NICU journey
- help with the transition from hospital to home
- become part of the BCS NICU family network
- Join us to be apart of our crafting for the NICU, for a meal, or just to visit for a little bit!
- We also can help families with specific needs such as preemie car seats to borrow, preemie clothes, and other needed items.

Link to February's Facebook Event can be found here. 



Working on preparing gift bundles before the meeting!

Two little NICU graduate helpers! 

Hard at work sewing for NICU babies!

Welcome, Maggie! New Photography Volunteer

Please help us welcome volunteer photographer, Maggie! She will be helping give the gift of NICU photography to preemie and NICU families in Wisconsin!


Service Area: Madison, WI

Hospitals: UW Hospital, St. Marys, Meriter, Dean


About Maggie:


“I am a mommy to two young kids.  My family loves the outdoors and the majority of my photography sessions are done outside at local parks to enjoy all that is around us. 
I focus mainly on newborn and child photography as I feel you get the most natural expressions from them :) I love how different every little one is.

I wanted to give my time to volunteer because being a parent is the best gift in the world.  Sometimes our little ones need some extra help or care and while that can be so scary- it's a part of our lives and that time should be treasured and remembered as well.”




www.preemieprints.org
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 500 NICU family sessions.


Monday, January 19, 2015

Happy Birthday Dylan - Jan 19

Dylan Josephine
34 weeker
January 19 2013
40 day stay
 

Well I guess I should start my labor story on Jan 7 2013 at 32w2d. It was a normal work day and I had a dr appt for the start of my 2x weekly NSTs. At the appt my BP was 175/99. Started the NST but couldn't keep baby on monitor. Had a u/s and she was sleeping but "breathing". Rechecked my BP and it was 169/100. Sent straight to hospital direct admitted for 24 hour urine and blood draws. Received the first of 2 steroid shots. Was on continuous fetal monitoring with bathroom privileges.

On Wed morning the first resident told me my levels were high but I could probably be treated as a outpatient. I was excited. Fast forward a few hours and the attending comes in. My levels were like 750. Gonna have to stay in hospital to be monitored and deliver at 34 weeks. I cried. Only good thing was the monitor came off and only had to do 2 NST a day.

So the next week and a half dragged on of blood draws and U/S' to measure growth and such. Plus an increase of BP meds because they were still kinda high with the threat of delivering even earlier.

At midnight Thursday I went over to L&D to begin my induction. I was given mag for BP and started on antibiotics for GBS.
I was only 1cm and 50%.
1am-first round of cytotec
5am-another round
9am-and a 3rd.
I made it to 3cm and still only 50% so they started the Pit.
Around 4pm I believe they tried the foley bulb was only in for about and hour and went to 4cm but still 50%
Broke my water at 5pm and placed internal uterine monitor.
Epidural at 9:30pm and sometime around there placed internal fetal.

Throughout the whole night, Dylan stayed at -3 station and I only made it to 5cm and 70% so at 7:30ish am they called in "failure to progress" and decided a c-section would be best. Plus she was having decells.

After 33 hours of labor, Dylan Josephine was born at 34w1d at 8:57 am on January 19, 2013. Sharing a birthday with her uncle, who was so excited.
 
My chunky preemie was
6lbs 10oz
19.5 inches

She only needed CPAP for a few minutes right after birth. She's been on room air from the beginning. She was in the isolette and under bili lights for about a week, her IV came out around the same time.

She was a lazy eater with a weak suck and bad latch in the beginning. On Sat 2/23 at 39w1d, they pulled her ng tube and let her eat ad lib.
 
On Wed 2/27 at 39w5d, we were discharged! Two days before my due date.


Happy Birthday Dylan!!