Aliyna's 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 Aliyna was born at 28 weeks weighing 2lbs 7 oz. She came into world early due to my water breaking at 22 weeks, but held on in mommy for 5 weeks. Due to infection risk she was delivered via c section.

Aliyna's journey into this world was a roller coaster ride. I have had many ups and downs during the pregnancy and NICU stay. The roller coaster started when I was 14 weeks. I went in to surgery to have a preventative cerclage placed since I have an incompetent cervix. This is usually routine since I've had 4 and they worked fine in all others. Well, not so much the case this time. I started to get a shorten cervix despite my cerclage after 2 weeks. The doctor had to do a repeat. This one held on but at 23 weeks my water broke. Little Aliyna stayed for 5 weeks in this environment but had to be taken via c-section because it became to hostile with the beginnings of an infection. Aliyna has been a little rock star in the NICU. She came into the world screaming, breathing on her own. She has had a little respiratory support due to her prematurity. It has been up and down with blood transfusions and on and off oxygen. Little to no weight gain in the first few weeks. I remember those first few days were the hardest. I didn't get to see my baby for 12 hours and forced myself to walk so I could see her, and refused to sleep until I did. When I saw her I was so scared to do anything because she was so small. I had to wait a week to hold her. When I did, it was the best feeling.” 

A Note From Alisha:

“Thank you for allowing me to capture some of Aliyna first moments at home with you and your family. It was great to see you and meet your beautiful children.”

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 Phoenix, AZ.

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