Introducing Myself

*Emma Jean*

Our beautiful daughter was born on Saturday at 31w4d as a result of severe pre eclampsia. She weighed in at 3lbs 1 oz and was 15 inches. Despite being small, she is doing wonderfully so far. She is breathing room air and right now their focus is to just feed and grow her.

I was discharged from the hospital yesterday. One minute I am completely fine and the next minute I am a blubbering mess. I want to stay positive and hopeful and visiting this board helps me to do so. However, my fears get the best of me often, emotions too. I cried so hard yesterday when we left her. I never imagined I would leave the hospital without my beautiful baby girl. Our pregnancy was going so wonderfully and the past 2 weeks seem like a nightmare and a blur. I can't get over how fast it all happened. Of course I hate that I feel this way because while it has been a terribly stressful and an emotional week, we met our daughter for the first time so how can I call that a nightmare.

I look forward to getting to know you all and sharing in your journeys.

lemen99

Welcome!  Congrats on your baby girl.  I'm happy to hear she's doing well so far!  The NICU is hard but you'll get through it and she'll be home with you soon.

RRHsMom

Welcome to our board and congrats on your sweet little girl!  We all understand the emotional struggle you are going through right now.  It is not a natural thing to leave your new LO in the hospital with others to take care of and so although you are overjoyed to meet her, it was not the way you had planned it or pictured it all happening.  I struggled with this for a year and since Ryan's Bday I have been doing much better but I still mourn for the birth experience that I lost and pictured having.  I wish I could call his bday the best day of my life but it never will be.  His coming home day is the day I look back on as the most amazing day for me, not that I do not cherish bringing him into this world.  As you can tell, even a year later it is still hard to express my emotions of the whole ordeal.  I began swelling severely and they monitored my bp and protein in my urine for 2 weeks before they took Ryan and I had been having a perfect pregnancy before that so I understand feeling blindsided by it all.  Focus on all of the mini-milestones your angel accomplishes over her stay in the NICU and come here to ask questions, celebrate good things, and vent if needed.  We are happy to have you despite the circumstances that bring us all here.

Denesdia

Welcome, mama!  You've come to the right place!

nasmith882

Congrats, welcome to the board...these ladies are beyond awesome here and we are all here for you, can't wait to see pict of your LO

TriciaJoy

congrats on your new bundle.

It's okay to think of the experience as a nightmare. It's so bittersweet to love your child but hate how they came into the world.

The NICU sucks.. if you have any questions or need to vent, we're here.

RubyRed7

Congratulations Mama! I know how hard it is right now, but soon it will all be behind you. My DD was born at 32 weeks and weighed 3 pounds 3 ounces. Now you can't even tell she was a preemie!

Good luck!

jennigator3

Congratulations Mommy and welcome to our board! A lot of us have been in your shoes and completely understand the rollercoaster of emotion you are going through right now. On the one hand, you met your child this week and the overwhelming love you have for them is beyond words. On the other hand, the NICU is a draining, horrible experience for any Mother and being in NICU survival mode can reduce anyone to tears at a moments notice.

The ladies on this board are amazing and we are here for you. Vent anytime you like, we have been down that road and have experienced the ups and downs. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, even if it seems small, don't hesitate to post. 

Also, we have a facebook group called The Nest Preemie Group, look us up if you want.

Best of luck to you and your family

sweetpea18

Congrats on your baby girl! 

Post partum hormones are no joke and its completely normal for you to be a mess!  I was a mess the entire time dd was in the nicu.  I just let myself cry in the shower everyday and then I was fine.  You will get through this and the day that you bring your sweet baby girl home will be amazing! 

*Emma Jean*

Thank you all for the kinds words. I know that this board will provide me a ton of support over the next several weeks. We have been so blessed by our daughter already and I try and remember that when I do get down. Thanks again.