Staying in the NICU

Back in November when I first found out I was pregnant, I fast forwarded in my mind to the day I got to meet my precious baby. Boy or girl - it did not make a difference. I imagined delivering my baby and the doctor putting my baby on my chest to clean him/her off and we would be able to bond right away. Then I would be able to nurse my baby and we would go home as soon as possible and start our life.

However, as you all know, that did not happen. I was hospitalized - I didn't get the chance to anticipate the last month wondering when my water would break. I was induced - I didn't get a chance to time my contractions to determine what time to leave for the hospital. Robert wasn't given the option to cut the umbilical cord - he was taken straight to the NICU nurses. Even though things did not go as planned, I still have my precious angel and that is all that matters.

I would give the NICU a grade of an "A". The nurses were great. There really was only one nurse that was questionable, but all of them were so good with him. It definitely takes a special person to work in the NICU with those babies. You really have to love your line of work in order to be a good nurse. Whenever we were there, they were always attentive to us and Alexander. They answered all the questions we had and if they did not know the answer to the questions, they would find out. Another plus was that we could call them at anytime of day or night and talk to his nurse. They actually encourage us to call and check on him anytime we wanted.

Being a parent of a child in the NICU, you find yourself talking to other parents. There is a special bond between parents of kids who have been in the NICU. Its like we are members of a special club that only certain people are allowed. Nobody knows how it is unless they have to go through it themself. Don't get me wrong. I appreciated all the prayers and special thoughts that were sent our way, but its not the same as someone who prays for us that has experienced it themself.

Also, I learned all kinds of different vocabulary. I can't seem to think of anything off the top of my head, but the doctors and nurses speak their own language there and you have to learn this language in order to understand what is going on with your child.

Ok, I am just rambling on here, but I just basically wanted to say that even though Alexander had to stay in the NICU for 19 days, it was all worth it to have my baby healthy and safe. It was just a small period of time in his life and now I am lucky enough to have him home with us.