Friday, April 26, 2019

NICU Grad Session - Robert

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 ROBERT'S FAMILY

On March 16th 2017 I went in to the doctor for a routine pregnancy exam. I was having a perfect pregnancy and felt great. When the nurse took my blood pressure she noticed that it was elevated quite a bit, thus she took it again. My blood pressure was still elevated and my doctor said that she wanted to do a non stress test to make sure that the baby was ok. The baby passed the non stress test however, my blood pressure was progressively getting worse. My doctor told me that I could not leave and I would have to have my son that day. I was shocked to say the least, but my husband and I did not have any time to truly panic. They rolled me in a wheelchair to labor and delivery, and I tried to have a natural birth but I wouldn't dilate. Many times I had to reposition myself in the bed because my son's hear rate was not being picked up on the monitor. Turns out he was squeezing his umbilical cord with his hand. I ended up having a cesarean and my son weighed 4lbs 5oz. He was small because of my high blood pressure. In three weeks from the last doctor's visit he had not grown and I developed high blood pressure. He stayed in the NICU for 7 days and I was hoping that he could come home by my 30th birthday, which was 5 days after he was born. He had to stay in the hospital but I was comfortable with the nurses. He was a fighter and I am grateful for that. Being a NICU mom is scary, yet seeing your baby grow and develop is amazing. Just because your baby is/was a preemie does not make them less than any other baby. They are miracles and I am pleased to be a NICU mom!

 






Robert's photo session was taken and donated by Preemie Prints volunteer photographer, Brian C. Parks.

A Note From Brian:

I thought this shoot was going to be a bust after Robert shouted "Done!" after I snapped the first pic. Luckily, he was game for the rest of the shoot (and shouted done quite a few more times, at that!). It was perfect weather out, which was evidenced by how many other people were shooting at our location. Robert and the family had to be a little patient here and there while we waiting for people to clear out, but it turned out great. Thanks Robert! :D

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 600 NICU family sessions. 

This was a Preemie Prints NICU graduate photography session that took place near Bryan/College Station. 

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