Blog
Holidays in the NICU: Coping Strategies for NICU Parents
The holidays are known for their joy, excitement, and nostalgia. The decor, music, and sights intend to amplify those feelings. However, the holidays aren’t always a time marked by warmth and feelings of love. Spending the holidays in the NICU can be difficult for...
My One and Only Preemie
"Is he your only child?" or "Are you going to have anymore?" are two of my least favorite questions and also the two I am asked most often. I honestly wish the people asking understood how hard those kind of questions are for many parents to answer and especially...
How My Marriage Survived the NICU
Head in my hands, heart feeling as though it had been ripped from my chest, I wondered how this could have happened. How could a normal, healthy pregnancy result in an unexpected, premature birth? For mommas that have been in this same situation, you know too well...
My Miracle Twins: Grace & Faith
What started off as a normal doctors appointment in February turned out to be one of the happiest and scariest days of our lives. Delivery at 28 weeks, scared & uncertain of what our outcome would be, we just prayed that both girls would get through this.
Finding a Balance Between NICU and Home
When your baby ends up in the NICU, the world can feel like it's been turned up-side-down. All your normal daily routines are disrupted and set aside. Nothing outside these unit doors seems to matter as much as the life and death battle that is going on inside. But...
Summer Safety for Your Preemie
by Priya Shankar and Veena Krishnan Disclaimer: This article is not meant to replace the advice of your personal physician. Summer has just begun and we’ve already been experiencing record-breaking heat. Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to the...
Healthy Snacks for NICU Parents
Having a baby in the NICU has a way of shifting your priorities. Though that tiny little person will undoubtedly be your number one concern, don’t lose track of your nutritional needs! Whether you’re faced with a grueling commute to the hospital or the task of...
Are You Scared to Try for #2? Me Too.
When I was younger, people’s chosen family sizes always intrigued me. Why do they have that many (or few) kids? Why is there such a large age gap between those two children? Why am I 15 years old and dissecting other people’s family size? Of course now I know that...
Overcoming Stage Fright
I was thrilled when I learned Hand to Hold had been accepted to participate in Philanthropitch 2017 – until I learned I would only have three minutes and five slides to present our mission, prove we have a cost effective, impactful, scalable model that is capable...
Why Do We Track Developmental Milestones?
We measure early childhood in milestones – the first smile, first step, that very first word. Parents are encouraged to track what their baby can do, but sometimes this can cause anxiety and frustration when you feel your child is not making strides in development...
Caring for Your Mental Health During a High-Risk Pregnancy and on Bed Rest
by Dawn K. Gibson, LCSW In our society, being pregnant is seen as a joyous event, something to celebrate, not something to endure. However, once a woman learns that her health and/or her baby's health is in danger and she is placed on bed rest, her entire pregnancy...