This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with NICU mom and author, Jennifer Bernardo. Jennifer gave birth to twins—a boy and a girl—at just 26 weeks gestation. Her book, Week 26, is a firsthand account of their lives in the NICU and beyond. Jennifer’s journey began with a distressing wake-up call: she was hemorrhaging. Rushed to the hospital, she underwent an emergency C-section, where she delivered her son, weighing just two pounds, followed by her even smaller daughter, weighing one pound and eleven ounces. What followed was a four-and-a-half-month rollercoaster ride in the NICU. Jennifer perfectly described the experience as being "two steps forward and one step back." At times, our conversation was raw emotion. No parent wants to describe the first time they meet their child as "traumatic," yet Jennifer bravely did so. But she also recounted joyful moments, such as skin-to-skin holding and visits from their sibling. In her book, Jennifer emphasizes that the NICU journey is truly a family affair and includes reflections from her husband's and daughter's perspectives. As Jennifer’s story illustrates, attitude is everything. Week 26 is a story of heartbreak and hope, and through her writing, Jennifer shows us that when your world turns dark, you must look for, and be the light. In the five-minute snippet: Basketball, baseball, soccer, oh my! For Jennifer's bio and book recommendations, visit my website (link below).
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