Interview Answer-Melissa Ringold

1. Was this your first pregnancy? Yes
2. How long were your children in the NICU for? 33 days
3. How did you cope with the situation? It was very, very difficult. I often felt like I was on a roller coaster of emotions. Before my sons were even born, I loved them with all of my heart. Watching them, so tiny, as they struggled to breath, have stable heartbeats, stay warm, and grow was painful and terrifying. I was blessed to have a wonderfully supportive family to help me get through it, and the doctors and nurses were amazing. As the time went on, and the boys got stronger and stronger, it got slightly easier.
4. Did you feel that the Doctors and the caregivers did everything they could? The doctors and nurses at the West Penn NICU are truly incredible, talented, devoted people. They went above and beyond caring for my sons.
5. Did you know in advance that your children were going to be premature? I knew for several weeks that there was a chance my sons would be born prematurely. One of the twins was not growing well, and I was having weekly check up to monitor his growth. However, I only had 24 hours notice when I actually had to deliver them. I went for my weekly check up on Thursday afternoon and learned that his growth had slowed to a dangerous level. I was told that I had to have a casearean section on Friday at 3pm.
6. How many weeks early did you deliver? 8 weeks early, they were born at 32 weeks (normal is 40 weeks)
7. Were they premature because they were twins? Yes, the complications and slowed growth were a result of them being twins.
8. When your received the blankets how did you feel? I remember being so touched that someone would take the time to hand craft such a sweet blanket for each of my boys. It was one of the most touching moments of their time in the NICU. I have both blankets saved in a memory bag for the boys when they get older.
9. If you would become pregnant again would you go to the same hospital? Absolutely!
10.What advice would you tell a parent that had a child in the NICU? I would tell the parents to be hopeful and to trust the nurses and doctors. I would tell them to spend as much time as possible holding, bathing, dressing, changing, and loving their baby as possible. I would also tell them to allow themselves to feel all of the emotions and work through the rough days, with support and love from family and friends.