My name is Aisling, and I want to share the story of my beautiful daughter, Remi, and the incredible journey she’s had since her arrival into the world. Remi was born at just 24 weeks and 3 days, and her early days were nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. But today, as I look at my thriving one-year-old, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and awe.
It all began when I went for my 20-week scan, excited to get a glimpse of our growing baby girl. Until then, my pregnancy had been smooth sailing. But that scan revealed something unexpected: my cervix was open, and scans showed that the membranes had started funneling, making it impossible to place a cerclage to help me carry the pregnancy further. The doctors told me to take it easy and rest, but there was a constant fear of preterm labor. Every day felt like a countdown, and I was told that reaching 28 weeks would be a miracle.
The milestone of 23 weeks brought a sense of relief because it meant Remi could be given a fighting chance. But just a few days later, at 23+5 weeks, my waters broke. The terror of that moment is hard to describe, but I immediately called my midwife, and we rushed to the hospital. After scans, I was told Remi was still doing okay, but I would need to stay in the hospital until labor began or an infection set in. Little did I know, the next day would be the start of a long and difficult journey.
At 1:03 AM on July 20th, 2021, Remi was born via emergency C-section. She weighed just 770 grams and was immediately intubated and rushed to the NICU. The moment I saw her, I could hardly comprehend how tiny she was. Her skin was so fragile, and she was covered in wires and tubes. I couldn’t hold her right away, but I was told, “This is the beginning of a long journey. There will be good days and bad days, but we’ll be here with you.” And just like that, my daughter’s fight for life began.
For the next several days, I was in recovery, but my partner, Sharmin, became the primary caregiver, relaying updates and sitting by Remi’s side. I was barely able to hold my daughter for the first few days, and it was agony. But by Day 4, I was able to cuddle her, and for the first time, I felt her tiny body against mine. That skin-to-skin contact became my lifeline, even if it was only for a few minutes each day.
The first month in the NICU was filled with ups and downs. Remi came off the ventilator and onto NIPPV, but by Day 12, she was reintubated due to exhaustion. She struggled with many complications, including severe jaundice, low platelets, and feeding issues. But with every setback came a victory. Remi’s kidney function improved, and she started gaining weight. By Day 38, she hit 1kg, and by Day 51, she was moved to CPAP, a big step forward in her breathing.
The days blurred together as we adjusted to this new “normal” life in the NICU. The alarms, the sterile environment, and the constant worry became our reality. My partner and I took turns visiting Remi, barely leaving the NICU for anything. The emotional toll was immense, but we found solace in the caring nurses and doctors who became like family. Their support helped us stay strong, even during the darkest moments.
There were moments of joy amidst the struggle. For my birthday, the nurses made a card with Remi’s tiny footprints, and we had a mini dance party in the NICU. On Halloween, the nurses helped us create a scuba diver costume to match Remi’s CPAP mask. These small celebrations brought light into our lives when we needed it the most.
As the days passed, Remi continued to show us her strength. She came off CPAP at Day 87 and onto Optiflow, and by Day 100, she was on low-flow oxygen. We were able to take her outside for the first time, a huge milestone for us. The first time I held her outside of the incubator, I cried tears of pure joy.
The emotional rollercoaster continued when we were told that Remi’s liver disease was so severe, there was nothing more they could do. But then, she defied all odds. Her liver began to heal, and her jaundice markers started to drop. We couldn’t believe it. This tiny warrior who had already overcome so much was now proving the doctors wrong.
After 109 days in the NICU, Remi finally came home, just one day before her due date. She was still on oxygen and had a feeding tube, but we were overjoyed to bring her home. The NICU team cheered for us as we left, and that moment will forever be etched in my heart. We were going home with our baby.
At home, life was both easier and more challenging. The joy of having Remi home was tempered by the reality of caring for a preemie with ongoing medical needs. We navigated the challenges of tube feedings, medications, and frequent doctor visits. But we also reveled in the small victories — the first time Remi breastfed without a feeding tube, the first time she slept through the night, and the first time she giggled.
Remi is now one year old, and we are incredibly grateful for her resilience and strength. Despite the challenges she still faces, she is thriving. She can crawl, cruise, clap, and give the best cuddles. Her laughter fills our home, and every milestone is a reminder of how far she has come. She is a happy, healthy, and thriving little girl, and we are so lucky to have her in our lives.
The NICU journey was one of the hardest things we’ve ever faced, but it has also been one of the most rewarding. The support from the NICU team, the nurses, doctors, and the families we met along the way, has been invaluable. I now know the true meaning of gratitude and the power of love, resilience, and hope. If you are currently in the NICU, know that miracles do happen. Our story is proof of that.