25 weeks
“Advice to moms and dads: Cry whenever you want to cry....Feel whatever emotions you want to feel...Take every day one at a time...Your baby is stronger than you can imagine!”
“I found out I was expecting Jude on Dec. 14th, our second baby (we have an almost 4 year old daughter, Isla). We were over the moon and told Isla she was getting a baby brother for her birthday (I was due Aug 21 and her bday is Aug 27). Up until 24 weeks, I had a textbook pregnancy but at 24 weeks 0 days I was admitted to the hospital because of leaking fluid. Lots of tests later and I was put on bedrest due to cervical insufficiency. It turned out my water had not broken but my cervix had dilated. My team of OB's and maternal fetal medicine told me I would most likely deliver within 24-72 hours.
“I remember having a conversation with my OB the second night I was on bedrest. She told me I was in a very grave position but if I could make it to 25 weeks the difference in gestation and development would be huge. So then my goal became 25 weeks; at 24 weeks 3 days my water broke and once again I was told I'd deliver within 48 hours but it didn't happen. Unfortunately a few days later, I developed an infection and Jude was born a week and 1 day after I was admitted. I'd made it to 25 weeks!
“Like any preemie parent, my husband and I were terrified. We had no idea what the weeks and months ahead would hold and seeing our sweet baby hooked up to so many monitors and medical devices was heartbreaking. We visited daily and on day 10 I was finally able to hold him. We have kangarooed every day since except for two days around the time Jude developed an infection (urosepsis). Jude is truly a miracle and has impressed us every day of this journey. We are so very blessed to be his parents.”
Here are a few shots of the ‘little fighter’, Jude in his first home, the NICU. He eventually made it home with Mom, Dad, and sister Isla!
“I couldn’t become pregnant with my husband so we were seen by doctors at REACH and the doctors were able to help me become pregnant with in vitro and we were so excited to finally have a baby!
My water broke at 24.5 weeks and was admitted to the hospital. Tatiana was born 4 days later at 25.2 weeks. She’s the light of our lives and we love her very much!
Being in the NICU is very difficult emotionally and physically, the best advise I can give is to take this journey one day at a time. God is in control, pray every day for your baby, the nurses and the doctors!”
This ‘little lady’ has endured a lot in her first 11 weeks of life, but she is growing and making new developments daily. Growing is hard work for preemies, and Tatianna snoozed through our session!
25 weeks 1 day • 1 pound 10 ounces
"Logann was a surprise from day one. We weren’t “planning” on having another child as we have 3 and lead a fairly active life. The day I found out was a whirlwind of disbelief and honestly, some fear as I questioned if I would be able to have energy and the ability to give everyone what they needed.
Logann is teaching me many new lessons on a daily basis about love, strength, and that it’s ok to take it slowly. I’ve never been one for extreme patience but this sweet girl has a tremendous amount of strength and overall guiding me through this journey of patience and love."
“I daydream and long for the day this sweet girl comes home and joins what I affectionately refer to as our circus of love and shenanigans. Logann (Tiny Might) is part of a big beautiful and loving family which includes her sister Lilee(8), Liam (6), Lyla (3), Mom, Dad, and two 100 pound pound labs.”
“We chose the name Asher because of it’s beautiful meaning: happy, blessed, and fortunate...which is exactly how we feel today!”
Asher was born at 25 weeks and 6 days at just 2 pound 6.9 ounces. When we met, he was over 2 months old, and looking oh so healthy! He was working on learning how to take bottles and was able to go home to be with his parents and big brother, Jackson, in February right after his due date.
Kerri and Nate's story wasn't easy though. Jackson was conceived by IVF (in vitro fertilization) after a few years of infertility treatments and several rounds of IVF. Asher was conceived using a frozen embryo - Isn't that amazing!? Our medical advances are absolutely astonishing sometimes!
All went well during Asher's time inside the womb, until Kerri was diagnosed with preeclampsia. It eventually progressed and became so severe that Asher had to be delivered via emergency c-section. He was born on November 4th and experienced a few hiccups along the way that complicated his stay in the NICU. Today is he is looking stronger and stronger!
“He is fiesty is what all the nurses say. He has the nickname Action Jaxson!”
You might have seen Jaxson floating around on my Facebook page. Well he has given his mom run for her money! Jaxson was born on July 7th at just 25 weeks, weighting 1 pound 4 ounces. He was originally due on October 17th, but his mom was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and Jaxson had to be delivered via c-section.
When I came to visit him, he was spending some time on bubble CPAP but he is now back on the ventilator letting his body rest while his lungs grow a little. He made it to 3 pounds 6 ounces and is now 33 weeks and 3 days. (Yes, we count days in the NICU!) According to the nurses, Jaxson is getting quite spunky in his old age. :) Take a look!
