Hang in there Baby! Support/ NICU/ premature birth/ high risk pregnancy

Hang in there, Baby!

Created by a former NICU baby who spent her first two months of life in the hospital, this card sends hope and a smile to families with babies in the hospital, high risk pregnancies- or to anyone who needs a note of support. 

If you have a friend experiencing this journey, it can be difficult to know what to do or say. Generic "Congratulations on your New Baby!" cards can feel disconcerting to parents whose joy for meeting their baby is complicated by worry and grief for the loss of what a "normal" pregnancy and birth might have been for them.

About the Card Contributor

This card's drawing was contributed by Sylvia, supporting the March of Dimes. Sylvia was born at 29 weeks with many complications. Now a vivacious eight-years old, Sylvia loves sports, books, drawing, bunnies and cats. During Sylvia's long hospital stay, the hospital's photo gallery of NICU babies all grown up gave her parents so much hope. She and her family send love and hope to babies born early and those with complications and long hospital stays.

Advice from Sylvia's mother for supporting someone on hospital bedrest and/or with a baby in the NICU:

Sylvia's mother spent five weeks on high-risk hospital bedrest before Sylvia and her twin sister were born at 29 weeks. The family spent another two months in the NICU before finally going home. During this time, her mother was too overwhelmed to accept the kind offers from friends and family who asked what they could do to help. She insisted they didn't need help but that couldn't have been further from the truth.

Looking back, she has these suggestions:

1. Set up meals to be delivered when the family is home, since they may be eating most meals at the hospital until they are able to go home.

2. Understand that visitors to the NICU may not be allowed by the hospital, and if they are allowed, the family may not be ready for visitors. Carin's mother says she appreciated that people wanted to be there, but the situation felt too raw and tenuous for visitors most days. Visitors can accidentally bring outside germs into the NICU; please understand and give space for parents' heightened (and reasonable) anxieties. 

3. Don't send flowers or balloons. They usually aren't allowed into the NICU and while the baby is in the NICU, families will spend most of their time at the hospital and won't be home to appreciate those gifts. 

4. If you can help with anything at home, offer concrete ideas such as to to walk the dog, take other children to the park, do laundry.

5. Don't expect daily or even weekly updates. It's an overwhelming and emotional time. Give space but let them know you are there for them. 

Thank you for reading Sylvia's story. We hope it helps you support someone going through something similar.

Product Details

5x7 trifold greeting card with coordinating envelope.

Inside of card is blank for your personal message. A synopsis of the card artist/author's story is printed inside the center panel of the card, visible when card is fully unfolded. 

Heavyweight 88lb paper with linen texture.

All cards are sent next day and always ship FREE.

Designed, printed and sent with love from Portland, Oregon.