#nicu

#nicu

Over the past year, I had the privilege of interviewing caregivers who bravely shared their stories about their experience in the NICU. In our study of over 1,000 parents from across the United States, those whose babies required NICU care were 74% more likely to experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder than those whose babies did not spend time in the NICU. And while there was resounding gratitude and joy that their little ones had survived, they also reported substantial struggles and grief postpartum.

"Baby girl arrived weighing 3 lbs 9.6 oz and measuring 16.5 inches long," the infant's aunt Lacey Paxman wrote in a GoFundMe appeal for the family. "She is currently in the NICU, gaining strength every day. Mom and baby are both doing OK, but she will need to stay in the hospital until she is ready to come home." Family members said the woman did not know she was pregnant until she felt the baby coming early Wednesday morning.

Ashley Stock announced on Instagram the birth of her baby girl, Benny May Stock, via surrogacy after her earlier daughter's tragic passing five years ago. She expressed overwhelming love and joy for her new child's arrival.