Blog
The Power of Peer Support in the NICU
Forming relationships in the NICU isn’t easy. Families sometimes aren’t allowed to speak with one another in the unit, only in the hallways. They want to respect each other’s privacy and hesitate to ask too many questions. And sometimes parents don’t have the...
They Understood Everything I was Feeling – the Ibarra-Chavez Family Story
They Understood Everything I was Feeling – the Ibarra-Chavez Family Story
Liam had many ups and downs. I made sure to pump, even when I was tired. I cried many times while connected to the pump, sad because I didn’t have the opportunity to physically breastfeed my baby. I desperately wanted that bond that I had with my first baby each time I would breastfeed him. I wanted to hold him and cuddle him in my arms all day. But having a baby in the NICU makes it hard to establish that bond, because you are not able to hold him or even do simple things like feed, burp or bathe your baby.
I Could Survive This – The Sullivan Family Story
I Could Survive This – The Sullivan Family Story
When I woke up from the anesthesia, I didn’t feel like a mom, but I also didn’t feel pregnant anymore. I just felt void. I was shown pictures of my sweet baby girl and provided a link so that I could watch her on a live feed from the NICU, but it still seemed surreal.
The NICU Support I Wish I’d Had – Kayleon’s Story
The NICU Support I Wish I’d Had – Kayleon’s Story
I gave birth to my beautiful little lady at 29 weeks gestation, and we spent 43 days in the NICU. Fortunately, my daughter did not face any complications, diagnoses or surgeries. However, as many NICU parents can attest, the NICU experience is traumatic regardless...
Staff Spotlight: E-Commerce Coordinator Sara Schulz
Staff Spotlight: E-Commerce Coordinator Sara Schulz
Meet Sara Schulz, our Senior E-Commerce Coordinator here at Hand to Hold. Sara originally came to Hand to Hold as a volunteer and now combines her enthusiasm for spreadsheets and helping people as our E-Commerce Coordinator.
Tell the Story of Your Grief
Tell the Story of Your Grief
There is no language to adequately describe the experience of losing a pregnancy or an infant. Our culture often hopelessly unaware of the grief experience. Neonatal death, stillbirth, and pregnancy loss are parts of life many don't want to acknowledge. If you have...
The First Bath at Home After NICU
The First Bath at Home After NICU
The first bath at home after a NICU stay may feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. I have completed two first-time baths at home after NICU stays. My first son, Harrison, was born at 32 weeks, weighing 2 pounds, 12 ounces, and spent 34 days in the NICU. My second son, Harland, was born at 28 weeks, weighing 1 pound, 11 ounces, and spent 293 days in the NICU.
Introducing the Beyond the NICU Podcast!
Introducing the Beyond the NICU Podcast!
Introducing Beyond the NICU, a podcast for families in the days, weeks, months and even years after a NICU stay. Because we all know the journey doesn't end when you leave the NICU.
Staff Spotlight: Family Support Specialist Cristal Carrasco
Staff Spotlight: Family Support Specialist Cristal Carrasco
Today we're introducing you to Cristal Carrasco, one of our amazing Family Support Specialists. Cristal administers our Ambassador Program in the NICU at Seton Medical Center Austin, providing vital support to parents, leading weekly support groups and hosting special events for holidays and other celebratory opportunities. Most recently she helped celebrate NICU nurses with a fun coffee bar for Neonatal Nurses Week. Let's get to know Cristal!
The NICU Doesn’t Leave You – Nikki’s Story
The NICU Doesn’t Leave You – Nikki’s Story
I don’t like to call it a NICU stay because it’s not just to stay. When your time in the NICU has been completed, that experience, that memory, that emotional roller coaster never leaves you. It takes a while to gain control and understanding of your feelings. And for some, including me those memories haunt you for time to come.
Celebrating Neonatal Nurses Week
Celebrating Neonatal Nurses Week
September 9 - 15 is Neonatal Nurses Week! Established in 2000 by the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN), members of the neonatal community use this time to honor their nurse colleagues and show their pride in being a neonatal nurse. For NICU parents, it's a time to honor and celebrate the nurses who not only cared for our babies, but who cared for us as NICU parents and the entire NICU family.
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