Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Abigail'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
“Abigail was born at 24 weeks gestation. It was completely unexpected.
I went into labor over the July 4 weekend of 2015. My husband had just left town with his brothers to fly to Chicago to see a huge concert. I thought I would have the weekend to hang out with my friends for the Fourth of July. The day before the Fourth of July, I started feeling odd. My friend stayed with me overnight and the next day, I felt that there was something very wrong. She took me to the local emergency room and we found out that I was already 3 cm dilated. I was at 22 weeks 6 days.  They gave me medicine to stop the labor and transferred me to the UCONN Hospital campus. I was able to hold the baby in for another week. And on the day of the beginning of the 24th week, she decided it was time to come out.  It was a quick labor and delivery. Everything after that was very emotional. We did not know if the baby would live or die. We did not know how severely impacted the early birth would be on her. We were scared out of our minds. She had a very rough start with an infection, a surgery to close her PDA, and a bit of a struggle to get off of the ventilator. She came off of oxygen two weeks before she was allowed to go home in November. We had a lot of ups and downs while in the NICU but Abigail is a fighter.  She spent about four months in the NICU. Thanks to all of the great work by the neonatologists and nurses who worked closely with us, Abigail is doing wonderfully now!  She is learning how to roll and sit on her own.  She's taking in purées and formula. She is such a giggler - loves to laugh and "sing"!  She is the best thing that ever happened to us. :)

Abigail is full of joy. I do not take for granted the fact that she is here. She's taught me so much!”





Abigail’s photo session was taken and donated by Preemie Prints volunteer photographer, Beth K.

From Beth:
“I met with Amy Stewart, her husband, Ryan and Abby yesterday.  We were also able to get some photos with Amy’s brother and father who had flown in from Wisconsin for Abby’s first birthday party. 


Abby is a beautiful little girl who has the most gorgeous blue eyes.  She loves to “talk” to everyone and loves her Sofie giraffe. Abby’s mom and dad filled me in on her story yesterday and to say that she’s a fighter is an understatement; this is one super strong little girl.”



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 Southington, CT.


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

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