Connie’s* daughter was born extremely early and spent the first three months of her life at the Brigham and Women’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Anxious and exhausted, Connie struggled to learn about her daughter’s medical issues and how to navigate the complicated and confusing world of prematurity. The stay in the NICU was a rollercoaster, but eventually Connie’s baby was released from the hospital. Connie was excited to bring her home and, at the same time, terrified that she would not be able to take care of her adequately. “I had a lot of conflicting questions and emotions. Most of all I felt a large and seemingly permanent knot of pain, love, fear, and hope for my daughter,” said Connie.
Before she was sent home, Connie learned about a special support program for preemie parents: JF&CS Fragile Beginnings. Offered through the JF&CS Center for Early Relationship Support® (CERS), Fragile Beginnings is designed to improve the lives of parents of premature infants through support, education, and connections to community resources.
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