Today is World Prematurity Awareness Day. I am a two-time preemie mom, and preemie advocate, going on 10 years.
As many if you know, our eldest, Isabelle, was born at 30 weeks gestation after I developed a very serious and life-threatening condition during pregnancy. My introduction to motherhood was challenging and emotional, including a 9-week stay in the NICU.
Little did I know at that time that our experience in the NICU and mine as a preemie parent would give me the courage, strength, and hope that was missing in my life. I’ve never cheered for anything as passionately as I did our baby, and as I watched that tiny baby grow and thrive, I promised to forever be her advocate, and to other preemie parents who may be in a similar situation. And even though it was nearly 10 years ago, it’s as fresh in my mind today.
Two years later, Madeline was also born prematurely, at 35 weeks, but thanks to extensive follow up and care, she was able to come home without a NICU stay.
Whenever I meet a fellow preemie mom, there is an unexplainable bond that we immediately share. Our journey is different and unless you’ve been there, it’s very difficult to explain.
So, today, on World Prematurity Awareness Day, I salute our little fighters. I thank all our nurses and neonatal teams. And I smile at my fellow preemie moms and parents.
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