Alisa was born at 28 weeks of pregnancy, weighing 1,260 grams.

The first month was incredibly tough. Intensive care, oxygen masks, neonatal pneumonia, jaundice, countless injections and IV drips — and as a result, fragile veins.
 

But this little girl has an enormous strength and will to live, to grow, and to be a healthy, happy baby. So now we are already four months old, and her weight today is almost 6 kilograms. Alisa is no different from any other baby, even though there are still some echoes of her premature birth. The only thing that sets her apart from other infants is a small scar on the bridge of her nose from the oxygen mask.

The baby definitely needed specialized neonatal care. Throughout that time, there was a constant struggle with finding tiny cannulas and skin-friendly adhesive patches that wouldn't tear her delicate skin. They are hard to find and expensive — and not every family can afford them.

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When we were finally allowed to dress her, the question arose: where do you even find such tiny clothes? That's where you came to the rescue — and your cherry pit warming pillow saved us from tummy pains more than once.

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As for me, all I really needed was more positive stories and videos from other moms who had walked this path before us — and proper nutrition , because hospital food doesn't nourish a mother nearly enough to produce the precious breast milk that premature babies need so much! At one point, I was advised to follow a strict diet because they suspected my diet was causing the baby's bloating — that turned out to be a mistake. I lost my strength, my milk supply dropped, and the baby became fussy. It's not always necessary, and doctors aren't always right — listen to their advice, but also watch your baby closely. Because no one feels their child the way a mother does. If you notice any changes in behavior or appearance — GO TO THE DOCTORS AND MEDICAL STAFF AND SPEAK UP. Don't be shy, don't be afraid. Because for healthcare workers, it's just another patient — but for you, it's your whole life. At the same time, be grateful to the doctors for their work — they work exhausting hours for very little pay, and that's important to remember.

I had never encountered situations like ours before. It was only when predictions of premature birth started showing up on my social media that I came across videos by Dr. Turine about preemies. Thanks to her, I believed in a positive outcome and that our little ones are so much stronger than we think
 

Our story taught me the following:

• If you get sick during pregnancy — get treatment, don't push through work, rest.

• Don't scrub floors on your knees starting from the end of the second trimester.

• Trust your doctors, but verify — get a second opinion, monitor the areas where cannulas are placed, and if you see swelling, ask them to move it to another spot.

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Carefully examine every part of your baby's body — you might notice something the doctors missed. Ask about your baby's condition yourself, ask about test results, write down and photograph every piece of information about your child that you have access to. Keep a journal, at least for the first few weeks — track your baby's weight, all diagnoses, and all medications used for treatment. It matters. Don't be afraid to ask for explanations, or to ask them to repeat or write down the name of a diagnosis or medication.

Your little one is going to be just fine! Don't read or listen to sad stories — that's not about you, and it's not about your baby. Believe and care, talk to your baby and tell them that you've been waiting for them so much — and that their place in your life is already ready and waiting.