Meet Selena, Preemie Parent Mentor
My preemie(s) was born at: 31 weeks
Days spent in the NICU: 40
Current age of preemie(s): 2.5
Parent of Multiples: Yes
Our NICU Journey included: Multiples (twins), Breastfeeding challenges, Challenges around relating to family members and friends, Isolation/Anxiety/Fear.
When I had my preemie twins at 31 weeks and then watched them endure in the NICU, I remember feeling bombarded with different, sometimes conflicting emotions: fear of having no control over my babies’ care, appreciation and gratitude for the NICU doctors and nurses, feeling afraid of not being capable enough to care for my babies when they came home, feeling misunderstood by well-meaning friends and family, feeling like I didn’t belong at home or anywhere except right next to the babies’ bedsides. I want to help parents of preemies understand that we are each other’s best resources and to be a guiding voice for those new to the journey. The NICU experience can be intimidating, isolating, scary, and uncertain, but connecting with even a single parent who has been there can change everything. In my role as a Graham’s Foundation Parent Resource volunteer, I want to make sure all parents know at least these three so very important facts:
You can handle this. This NICU journey won’t last forever. And you know your child best.
Support for Parents of Preemies
Moms and dads of premature infants and children face sometimes unimaginable challenges and so need special forms of support that aren’t always easy to access or well-advertised.
