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Becoming a parent is often a journey full of surprises, challenges, and growth. For Jes, this path took her from initially not wanting children to navigating the complexities of premature birth and the NICU experience with two sons. Her story is one of resilience, community, and love, showcasing the strength it takes to face the unknown and embrace motherhood.
From Doubt to Determination
Jes initially believed that children weren’t part of her life plan. However, with the unwavering support of her husband, she decided to start a family. Her pregnancies were far from easy, marked by severe morning sickness and mental health challenges. Despite these difficulties, she was determined to bring her boys into the world.
Her first son arrived prematurely, requiring 68 days in the NICU. Two years later, her second son followed a similar path, spending 49 days in the NICU. The emotional toll of these experiences was profound, particularly the heartache of not being able to hold her sons during their first days of life.
The NICU Experience
For Jes, the NICU was both a place of hope and heartache. “The hardest thing I’ve ever done was wait to hold my baby and also leave him in the NICU and go home,” she shares. Balancing life at home with her older son while her newborn remained in the hospital was an emotional juggling act.
One key to navigating this challenging time was finding support and community. Jess emphasizes the importance of connecting with others who understand the NICU journey. She also found solace in keeping a NICU journal, which helped her track her babies’ progress and process her emotions.
Tips for NICU Families
Jes offers practical advice for families facing the NICU experience:
Find Support: Seek out NICU support groups and connect with families who understand the journey.
Keep a Journal: Document milestones, emotions, and memories—it can be a powerful tool for healing.
Accept Help: Allow loved ones to support you in practical ways, like delivering meals or running errands.
Prioritize Mental Health: Therapies like EMDR can help process the trauma of a NICU experience.
A Journey of Resilience
Jes’s story highlights the power of perseverance and community in the face of challenges. Her journey from uncertainty to motherhood is a testament to the strength it takes to navigate premature birth and the NICU, and emerge with a deep sense of connection to her family and herself.
Through sharing her experiences, Jes offers hope and guidance to others walking a similar path, showing that even in the hardest moments, support and love can light the way forward.
Catch Jes' episode here!
*This post was created by AI, drawing on information and transcripts from Jes' podcast episode.
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