Support for preemie families in NOLA

Most people think that once your NICU preemie is home from the hospital things just magically become “normal.” They forget that your baby was born weeks or months IMG_2594early and that mom, dad and baby have a lot of adjusting to do that’s not just calculating their adjusted age. I was overjoyed to bring my son home (read more about my 15 ounce miracle) but also very nervous to finally being with him without any doctors, nurses or monitors.

Once I brought my micropreemie home I was thrown into a whirlwind schedule of doctor appointments and therapy sessions. I made sure that Liam was getting the best care for his health and development. However, 18 months later, I’m finally getting around to taking care of myself.

My friends and family have been incredible during this journey but some of my greatest strengths have come from fellow NICU parents. As much as someone tries to sympathize with you, nobody quite understands having your baby in the NICU other than those who have been there and done that. With my preemie friends we can celebrate our miracles’ accomplishments and sympathize our own pregnancy and NICU stays with those who have had similar experiences.

I was so thrilled to hear of a support group for NICU graduate parents that is starting up Destination Maternity! The support group will meet the last Tuesday of every month at 6:30. This support group is open to NICU graduate parents in the New Orleans metro area. To register please visit this link, and I hope to see you there! The first meeting is Tuesday, April 30.

NICU Flier

Mary Olivio

olivio-76Mary is a stay at home mom to her sons, Noah (5) and Liam (1) and has been married to her high school sweetheart Clint since 2007. Mary is a graduate of the University of New Orleans, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism. Her son Liam is a micro preemie, and she is now passionate in the preemie community and the March of Dimes. Mary is also active with MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and is a co founder of the VLW Scholarship at her alma mater Cabrini High School in New Orleans, which awards a scholarship yearly in memory of their dear classmate who was killed by a drunk driver. Mary enjoys blogging about her family, New Orleans and all things preemie related on her blog at Micropreemie Mom.

2 COMMENTS

  1. I understand how you feel! I had my twins in the NICU as well, my boys were not as little as your were mine were 34 weekers, but being they were twins they had a hard time as well, none of my friends understood what having preemies was like because none have experienced it, they don’t understand why I wouldn’t join in at park events when they were old enough to, or why their 5 month old did more than mine( they didn’t take their adjusted age into consideration) , and your right only Fellow NICU parents know how to give the support we need and know how it is, I belong to a very supportive mothers of multiples club that happens to have a few preemies and they have been of great support as well, it’s just one of those things that not even some family understands, I’m glad to see that your preemie is thriving!! Preemies are amazing little fighters!!!

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