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Hospital Edition 2006
Premier Quarterly 		dear reader  |  Virginia K. Hill

I’ll forever remember the moment my life abruptly changed and my journey as a preemie parent began. In 2002, preeclampsia snatched my healthy pregnancy, resulting in five weeks of unexpected hospital bedrest and the premature birth of my daughter Madeline. Weighing three pounds, six ounces, she was large compared to some preemies, but dauntingly small to me. At the time, I knew little about preemies, had no indication I would give birth prematurely, and frankly, had never seen a premature baby. That was the worst part – the unknown. What would a preemie look like – let alone mine? I couldn’t even begin to imagine. In fact, imagining was painful.

My dreams of a full-term pregnancy and a chubby, cherubic baby were shattered within moments. Instead of contemplating baby showers and going-home outfits, I was submerged in a world of monitors and medical equipment. I felt lost, isolated and without the Internet at my disposal, had great difficulty finding sources of information, let alone support from those who had experienced what I was going through. I needed a magazine with pertinent articles to offer hope and guidance to my deluge of questions and concerns.

A few weeks into my bedrest, a woman who had heard about me came to visit. She shared her story of parenting two preemies and showed me photos of their NICU time through the toddler years; blowing out their birthday candles and learning to ride their bikes. Seeing the photos, hearing her story, brought me to a new place – a place of hope. I saw that there was life beyond these walls. My hope was restored and I realized that while my birth experience felt far from "normal", the future I imagined didn’t have to be so grim. Like the preemie toddlers in those photos, my daughter too could have a successful outcome.

A three-year old now, Madeline has proved herself capable of more than I could ever have imagined. But there have been tough days. After Madeline’s release from the NICU, I realized that preemie issues don’t cease upon leaving the confines of the hospital. Instead a whole new set of unique challenges and unique joys surface. This revelation confirmed my desire to dedicate my experience to help other parents in similar circumstances - and is why this magazine sits before you today.

What you're about to read is our annual hospital edition. All content is thoughtfully designed to help you prepare for and navigate the NICU, understand the experiences of you and your baby, and most importantly, help you get ready for the day you and your baby go home together.

In addition to the annual, Your Preemie publishes four quarterly issues each year; exploring topics and concerns preemie parents face the first five years at home. There you'll find insightful, useful articles that explore such subjects as vaccinations, family, sleep issues, cognitive and physical development, alternative medicine, food dilemmas and tantrums - all topics that any parent would find useful, but written specifically for the parent of a preemie child.

Throughout the development of this magazine, the preemie community’s interest has remained remarkably supportive. The time, tenacity and tears of so many have gone into these pages. Thanks to their efforts, I am blessed with the opportunity to share Your Preemie with you and your loved ones. I hope to hear from you as you embark on your journey.

Best wishes to you and your family,

Virginia K. Hill, publisher and founder
UNIQUE JOYS, UNIQUE CHALLENGES. THE FIRST FIVE YEARS.™