Avery's Story

“It was the day before my baby shower on March 22, 2024 and I was going to my 29 week growth scan. I had a fairly uncomplicated pregnancy, other than a few mildly elevated blood pressure readings. Avery was measuring on time and everything was going great until this visit. I remember watching the ultrasound tech doing their normal measurements and consistently seeing 26 weeks at the bottom of the screen. After the scan they took my blood pressure and it was 160/114. The MFM decided to send me to the hospital right away for my blood pressure and issues with cord blood flow. I was immediately put on magnesium as my blood pressure reached 195/110 by the time I got to the high risk unit. They originally planned on keeping me until 34 weeks, but 5 days later I delivered our sweet 2lbs 2oz peanut due to non reactive NST's. He was immediately taken to the NICU and placed on CPAP. Over night he was intubated for respiratory distress and a meconium ileus. I was able to meet him 24hrs later after finishing another round of magnesium. He was then transferred to another hospital for monitoring in case be needed bowel surgery for the ileus. He thankfully didn't and was able to go back to the original NICU after 4 weeks. It was certainly a roller coaster of emotions. Lots of good and bad days. After spinal tabs, blood transfusions, therapies, oxygen support, 2 hernia surgeries, picc lines, etc we finally brought our boy home after 82 days. He came home on oxygen and just recently came off of it at 5 months old. He is hitting all his milestones now and growing like a weed. He taught us so much bravery every day he was put through so much. No one really knows what these babies and families go through until they experience it themselves. We are so blessed with the support we received from project NICU and plan to stay involved for years to come!” NICU Mama, Julia