We invite you to share your NICU story to provide hope, connection, and healing for others.
Whether you are a parent, caregiver, sibling, nurse, doctor, or grandparent, your unique NICU journey matters and is worth sharing. Join Beth, Jen, and Sarah by adding your story to their future published book today!
questions for reflection to support your story
PARENTS:
Looking back in time, what advice would you give to yourself as a new parent in the NICU?
What would you share that is not openly discussed as a parent in the NICU?
As a parent in the NICU, what/who brought meaning to you and your baby?
What would you most like to share about your NICU journey with others?
What tips navigating your journey through the NICU would have been essential for you, your family, and your baby?
What wisdom or comforting advice would you give to those who lost a baby in the NICU?
What would you like to have known as a mother on the antepartum floor before delivery and then when your baby went to the NICU?
Any tips for new moms or dads in the NICU to not blame themselves for their baby's stay in the NICU?
Any advice on navigating the uncertainty and unknown during the NICU journey?
Complete this sentence, "What I know for sure during my time in the NICU is: __________."
SIBLINGS:
As a sibling, what would you want to say to yourself, your new sibling who graduated from the NICU, and/or your family?
What were you most scared of, bored of, or confused about when your sibling was in the NICU?
Who and what did you family share with you when your sibling was in the NICU?
What thoughts ran through your mind when your sibling was in the NICU? How about feelings?
What was your understanding of the NICU experience?
GRANDPARENTS:
What words of wisdom would you like to share with other grandparents whose children/grandchildren are now in the NICU?
How did you cope with the generational stress when your grandchild was in the NICU for
yourself and for your child?
What do you remember needing and wanting a grandparent during your grandchild’s NICU stay?
How did you help support your child as their child/children were in the NICU?
NICU STAFF:
Knowing your level of expertise and experience as a professional in the NICU, what words of compassion and insight would you like to share with your families?
How do you find and share hope for current families in the NICU?
Any thoughts for families as they navigate the NICU journey?
What would you like to share with families as they leave your NICU?
What keeps you going in the NICU, what’s your why for doing what you do?
potential chapters
Forward with the three authors' stories during their time in the NICU.
Antepartum hospitalization for mothers whose baby will be admitted to a NICU.
Delivery Experiences
Experiences during their time in the NICU
Newborn Follow-Up Clinic Experience
Time prior to school years including daycare, preschool, and other early experiences
School years and beyond
The authors will read every story for consideration of book publication. As a group, they will select meaningful submissions for defined book chapters. Following receipt of all stories, notes, letters, and pictures, the authors will arrange book chapters for flow and ease of reading. Your story will benefit countless families in their unique NICU journey. Thank you!