Blog
Announcing the NICU Love and Loss Podcast
There were many times throughout my son’s NICU stay where I did not know if he would survive. Although I experienced tremendous anticipatory grief given his chance for survival, I cannot fully understand the heartache of losing a baby. Through my work as the founder...
Parents Share What Their NICU Milestone Beads Mean to Them
Parents love celebrating their baby's milestones. But in the NICU, milestones have a very different meaning. Instead of bonding with their baby through snuggles and first feedings in the postpartum wing of the hospital, parents of NICU babies are...
The Joy of Helping Others in the Miracle League
by Jackson Kelley I felt awkward, unsure and hot standing in the Texas afternoon sun by the first base dugout. The coach seemed nice as he gave me a firm handshake and a reassuring smile, but I knew this would be unlike any baseball season I had ever experienced....
Coming Home During Flu and RSV Season
I would venture to guess that every mother has some level of germ-awareness during flu and RSV season. I know with my firstborn, full-term baby I did. I could spot a germy kid in her daycare class and hear the shopper coughing two aisles over in the grocery store....
Hand to Hold Welcomes Ginger Zee as 5th Annual Baby Shower Luncheon Special Guest Speaker
A beloved tradition for growing families, baby showers are celebrations to welcome new life. Yet when one out of eight Austin babies arrive too soon, families’ dreams are replaced with painful realities: life in the hospital, continual anxiety, debilitating fears...
If I Could Tell a New NICU Parent One Thing…
We asked members of our online communities to share their advice for new NICU parents and they came through with so much great advice, we couldn't possibly include them all here. Here are some of the highlights parents want you to know about life in the neonatal...
Help a NICU Parent Today: Become a Volunteer Peer Mentor
“I don’t ever want another NICU parent to feel alone like I felt.” This is what Hand to Hold founder Kelli Kelley said when she started the peer mentor program that has been the driving inspiration behind Hand to Hold. Despite being...
Stevee’s Story: Duodenal Atresia
The following is from Hand to Hold community member Lacy. If you are interested in sharing your story, email leighann@handtohold.org. What were the circumstances surrounding your child’s birth? At my 20 week anatomy ultrasound, Stevee wasn’t cooperating and the...
Becoming a NICU Mom Made Me a Better NICU Nurse
by Laura Guardia The day my daughter was born took three years in the making. My husband and I struggled with infertility: seven IUIs (intrauterine insemination), a surgery for endometriosis, and one round of IVF (in vitro fertilization) later, we got our miracle...
Grandparent Perspectives on Life in the NICU
I have always thought of my dad as being larger than life. He is 6’4” and worked in law enforcement. I never knew him to be scared of anything. But when my son was born 16 weeks preterm, weighing just a pound and a half, my dad who had come to my rescue so many...
New NICU Now Episodes Available! All About Bed Rest
We are excited to announce the release of three brand new episodes of the NICU Now podcast! These three episodes focus on bed rest: the challenges women face on bed rest, how they can care for themselves and how medical professionals can better support women on bed...