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Long Distance NICU Support

Meet Serena, Preemie Parent Mentor

My preemie(s) was born at: 24 weeks, 3 days
Days spent in the NICU: 110
Current age of preemie(s): 3
Parent of Multiples: No
Our NICU Journey included: Coping with the NICU experience when you’re far from home, Life after the NICU, Oxygen at home, Therapies for preemies-post NICU, Hernia surgery for preemies, Advocacy for your child.

I had the green light from my doctor to travel at 23 weeks pregnant, so it made sense to schedule both a business trip and a vacation around the time the pregnancy books said traveling would be most enjoyable. Then my water broke on the airplane, and I delivered my 1 lb. 7 oz. son at 24 weeks/3 days. We experienced the same roller-coaster ride all parents of preemies experience, but we did it in Texas while calling California home.

Our boy is now healthy, full of life and love, and he keeps us all smiling, but I can still remember feeling like there would be no light at the end of the tunnel. As a Parent Mentor, I want to be a resource for the parents of preemies who feel more alone than they ever thought they could. Not only has this life-changing thing happened, but it happened far away from the support and comfort of home, family, and friends. There is a huge void preemie parents in this situation can feel, and I want to help fill that void.

I’m available to talk about:

  • Coping with the NICU experience when you’re far from home
  • Life after the NICU
  • Oxygen at home
  • Therapies for preemies
  • Hernia surgery for preemies

When Your Baby Is in a NICU that’s Far Away

Because premature birth is unpredictable some parents will find themselves traveling many miles to and from the NICU. Still other moms and dads have to uproot their lives and live out of suitcases when a preemie comes into the world far from home. The financial and emotional toll having a preemie out of state or even out of the country takes can be huge. In some cases, parents have no choice but to abandon careers and to spend long stretches away from their other children. The monetary cost of traveling to and from the NICU can be staggering. NICU support for parents can mean so much!