by Beth Puskas | Jun 19, 2015 | Family Stories, Fatherhood, Life after the NICU
I am not sure who suffered the greater punch to the face when we were told that our baby had to be delivered immediately at 29 weeks gestation because I suddenly developed severe preeclampsia, my husband or I. If I had to pick, I would say my husband, considering he...
by Jessica Thomas | Jun 17, 2015 | Family Stories, Fatherhood, NICU Life
I remember watching my husband over the course of our daughter’s 79 day NICU stay. Born at 27 weeks, and just over 2 pounds, she was covered in wires and tubes and the beeping of machines were the lullabies played in her hospital room. As terrified as I was as...
by Eric Ruthford | Jun 15, 2015 | Emotional Health, Family Stories, Fatherhood, Life after the NICU
Whenever someone tells me they’re expecting a baby, I have to bite my tongue, and be careful not to say, “I hope you make it to term.” No, I tell myself, the appropriate response is, “Congratulations!” This is one of those things about being a preemie parent – when...
by Laura Maikata | Jun 10, 2015 | Family Stories, Fatherhood, Inspiration, Life after the NICU
My husband was a preemie and a special needs child. I guess I’d always known that, though I’d never applied “special needs” to anything to do with him. After the birth of our third child, however, I saw that part of my spouse’s past in a new way. My husband was born...
by Eric Ruthford | May 18, 2015 | Family Stories, Fatherhood, Medical Info & Resources
When Miri’s water broke at 22 weeks and 6 days of gestation, we knew our child was in extreme danger, and we were trying to cling to some hope he might live. The neonatologist who came to talk to us didn’t help with hope. “At this stage, I don’t recommend that babies...
by Eric Ruthford | Apr 20, 2015 | Family Stories, Fatherhood
One of the things about becoming a Dad for the first time is that you feel a little disconnected as Mom is by far the more necessary person in the birth. Having your first child go in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is especially frustrating, as it feels like there...
