by Hand to Hold Staff | Jan 3, 2019 | Life after the NICU
Our story Our daughter was born at 26 weeks gestation weighing only 1lb 8oz. due to severe preeclampsia. As soon as she was born, I remember asking, “When is she coming home?” and the countdown began. Most babies come home around their due date, which in our case...
by Hand to Hold Staff | Dec 24, 2018 | Family Stories
by Charles George I remember our first Christmas with our son, Thomas. It was December 2012. Neither my wife nor myself anticipated being in the hospital, over an hour away from our home, with our son on Christmas day. Thomas was born at the University of Virginia...
by Hand to Hold Staff | Dec 20, 2018 | Family Stories, Inspiration, Life after the NICU, Mental Health
Birth day: a day to celebrate the birth of your child Gotcha day: a day to celebrate taking your child home; i.e. “getting them” Some of us don’t leave the hospital three – five days after giving birth with typically eating, breathing, growing babies. Yet, many...
by Hand to Hold Staff | Nov 26, 2018 | Family Stories
Nine years ago, I built my life on the worldly definition of success and career-oriented values. Complications in my pregnancy led the life I built to crumble. This led to burnout and hopelessness at a time when most people experience joy. Giovanni was born two and a...
by Hand to Hold Staff | Nov 21, 2018 | Life after the NICU
The first time I held my son, I was terrified he would break. It took the help of a nurse to collect all the wires and place him curled and snuggled into my chest. What if I accidentally pulled on a tube or did something to inadvertently hurt him? I imagined the tsk...