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
“Malachi is my 2nd baby boy, 1st preemie. My first pregnancy went so smooth I had a natural delivery. Within 3yrs after my 1st I had 3 miscarriages. I went in to get my yearly check with my OB & we were scheduling to tie my tubes, because the miscarriages took a toll on my body & health. Well when I went in they had to do the regular routine pregnant tests. My OB came in & I was pregnant!! I had already been having spotting so I figured I was just late for my period. I was told I would be having a miscarriage to just take it easy. Well we made it to 21wks & I started having lots of pains so I went in to L & D (labor & delivery). I was informed once again take it easy looks like your uterus is not strong enough if baby comes we will not save him until you are 23wks. I took it easy, we made it to exactly 27wks & started feeling an excruciating tearing feeling in my pelvic area. Went in to L & D I was told I had a stomach bug, went home started having heavy bleeding all night; the next day went back in. On call OB pushed on my uterus & baby's heart rate started dropping drastically. So we got rushed to the OR room to have an emergency caesarean (C-Section). It was the scariest feeling I've ever felt, not knowing what would happen and I had never been under full anesthesia. All I remember is waking up in pain, no more belly & different doctors coming in to speak with me. It's all so foggy but from what my husband told me they would air flight Malachi to Cooks Children Hospital. I was pumping, nothing was coming. I had it all planned. I would breastfeed baby 2 as long as I could. Well my milk wouldn't come in, but I didn't give up. I was finally discharged & went straight to see Malachi. It was such a heartbreaking moment for me, I felt I let my baby down. My body couldn't keep him in. I had so many emotions at the beginning, it was hard. Everyday I went & took my milk. Malachi had feeding troubles & breathing. I thank God for his doctor who listened to me & gave him a chance to do it on his own, even if it was a few hours before he needed help. We are our baby's advocates; these babies are so much stronger than we think. I stayed from sun up to sun down. It took a toll on my older son & my husband. It was one of the hardest times of our lives. Malachi was in the NICU 90 days & came home on Halloween, his due date. He is now 8 months actual, 5 adjusted, and just the happiest baby. He did not come home on any machines. He has the expected delays, but I am blessed to say I was able to see an actual miracle before my eyes.”
Malachi’s photo session was taken and donated by Preemie Prints volunteer photographer, Judy Cocchiarella.
A Note From Judy:
"What a privilege to photograph this beautiful family. I was humbled to hear their story and to witness for myself their strong faith in God, which has carried them through this difficult journey. Malachi grows stronger every day and every milestone brings joy to his parents. What a blessing!"
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 500 NICU family sessions.
This was a Preemie Prints NICU graduate photography session that took place near Fort Worth, TX.
We're thankful to the family for sharing their story & memories in support of other NICU families.
