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
“Robert Elijah Brooks was
born on August 3, 2014 at 1:28pm and weighing 7lb8oz and 21.5 inches long. He
was not a preemie, however, a few days before birth he had his first bowel
movement and therefore at birth dealt with meconium aspiration and digestion.
He also was stuck in the birth canal for a while and had severe scalp edema,
which has luckily cleared up and his head looks like a perfect baby head now.
He spent 4 days in the NICU receiving antibiotics and fluids via IV as they
were concerned about infection (when he was born his poor hands and feet were
green from the meconium being in his system). He was also monitored for oxygen
output and we are fortunate he did not have problems with his lungs and was
only on oxygen for the first day. He also had fetal pyelectasis, which on its
own would have not made him a NICU baby but with all of his other birth trauma,
his urine output greatly suffered in his first few days. Luckily after 3 days
he really took a turn and "started to act like a healthy newborn"
according to the nurses. He is thriving and doing well, it was probably harder
on mommy than him. I was very sad when they said his Apgar score meant he
probably wouldn't have survived without intervention and wonder if there was
anything I should have done differently. However, we are very grateful now that
he is a happy and healthy baby.
Throughout my pregnancy,
which was very smooth and uncomplicated, I never imagined I would spend 4 days
watching my precious baby being monitored and hooked up to IVs in the NICU.
While we were saddened that he had to endure this, we were very grateful to the
wonderful nurses in the NICU center. With their help, I was able to start
breastfeeding my baby on his second day and help him build strength for being
discharged into the real world. It is never easy to see your baby hooked up to
cords and with needles in his little precious hands, but we were glad that he
was getting the best care and that when we were discharged we could be certain
that he was as healthy as can be. Between the amazing neonatologist, the
wonderful nurses and the support of our family we were able to stay strong for
our little on and he was able to fight and transition into the world with great
expectations. I advise all parents that have to go through a NICU journey to
stay strong and trust the care of the professionals but also do not be afraid
to ask as many questions as make you feel comfortable, it is your precious baby
and no question is too silly regarding their care.”
A Note From Larry:
The shoot went great! It turned out that I knew this couple from church, but I didn't realize that till I got there. I didn't know the mom, who I'd been emailing with to arrange the session. But when I got there I realized that the dad graduated high school with one of our sons. Small world indeed! Robert (the baby) did great and slept wonderfully for the first half of the session, then was wide-eyed for many shots which is always really cute.
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 College Station, TX.
We're thankful to the family for sharing their story & memories in support of other NICU families.
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