The first tumultuous days in the neonatal intensive care unit can be incredibly hard on parents of preemies. Their natural instinct is to care for and protect their new sons and daughters, but there may not be anything for them to actually do. And when a preemie’s condition doesn’t allow for much physical contact, if […]
Some parents of preemies are lucky enough to be able to spend long days in the NICU, even when their babies are there for an extended stay. Other moms and dads, however, have other children at home who need love and care or they aren’t lucky enough to have a lengthy maternity or paternity leave. […]
Preemies, especially very early preemies, often can’t be held or even touched for some time after birth. A combination of factors – from the delicate, thin skin of micro-preemies to the fact that premature infants often respond to touch differently than their full-term peers – can make it challenging or scary for moms and dads […]
For parents of micro-preemies who are able to take time off work after an unexpected birth or weren’t working prior to the birth and have the resources necessary to make working optional, the NICU can become a second home. Many hospitals equipped to handle extreme early prematurity, knowing that not all of their tiny patients’ […]
Having a preemie is often unexpected. For some, it is their entrance into parenthood. For others, they were a parent before having a preemie. No one envisions having a child in the NICU. No one envisions parenting their child in the NICU. No one envisions not being able to do the things that a parent […]
Imagine being on an airplane at 23 weeks pregnant, with no one you know traveling with you. Now, imagine this situation and having your water break on the plane-1500 miles from home. This is what happened to me 4 years ago. I was able to keep my baby in for 3 days, until they […]
Finding ourselves in the NICU is not the way we envisioned parenting. We saw the days after giving birth filled with hugs and kisses, warm blankets and fuzzy teddy bears, a beautiful nursery and adorable clothes. We never envisioned our child with tubes and wires, a room filled with loud beeps and the roaring sound […]
When I was pregnant, I read a bunch of earthy books that stated how important it was to hold your baby right after birth. This dramatic moment is played up as the most crucial in your bonding experience. But when my babies were born prematurely via emergency C-sections, there was no victorious moment when they […]
Some families of preemies are blessed in that their circumstances allow them to spend a great deal of time in the NICU- even when a NICU stay can last months. Other moms and dads who need support after premature birth find themselves torn between spending time with their preemies and dealing with the needs of […]
Graham’s Foundation is a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3).
Our mission is to inform and guide parents of preemies so that they may confidently navigate the journey of prematurity.
