by Hand to Hold Staff | Jul 1, 2019 | Life after the NICU, Mental Health, NICU Life
I remember the text. The terrifying message my friend on the other side of the country sent about a helicopter ride to a Level III NICU with her just-born, in-critical-condition micro preemie. I knew I wanted to be a support who “got it” and could provide tangible...
by Hand to Hold Staff | Jun 24, 2019 | Family Stories, Mental Health
Meet Lisa, mom to Ava, a micro preemie who was just 1 pound, 12 ounces at birth. Lisa is a Licensed Professional Counselor who, despite treating others suffering from depression, anxiety and PTSD, still struggled with postpartum psychosis and PTSD. Here is her story....
by Leigh Ann Torres | May 20, 2019 | Mental Health
Oftentimes the emotional impact of a NICU stay can surface weeks, months or even years later after your baby is discharged. Emotions can quickly turn from joy and gratitude to anger and resentment and back again. It’s important for parents and caregivers of...
by Kelli Kelley | Apr 29, 2019 | Mental Health
As I rapidly approach my 50s, I find I don’t care quite as much as I once did about what other people think of me. It is one of the few things about getting older that I appreciate. It is a refreshing change to be comfortable in my own skin. Once I would have been...
by Hand to Hold Staff | Apr 22, 2019 | Mental Health
By Nandini Narayanan, LCSW, C-IAYT, 500RYT, Reiki, NICU Parent True compassion always includes ourselves. –Jack Kornfield Since the birth of our micro preemie twelve years ago at 25 weeks, 3 days, weighing 1 pound, 10 ounces, mindfulness and self-compassion are vital...
by Hand to Hold Staff | Apr 15, 2019 | Life after the NICU, Mental Health, NICU Life
When my son, Theo, was born at 27 weeks in 2014, I went from blissfully pregnant to survival mode in a matter of hours. For six-and-a-half months I sat by Theo’s incubator, and later crib, bonding with him as best I could while he was hooked up to monitors,...
