They say hold the mother, not the baby But I wasn’t allowed to hold you And who was there to hold me. They encouraged me to put my hand through the flap of the incubator “Touch but don’t stroke, your babies skin is extremely delicate” And it was, I could see straight through. I wish I could jump into this photo and hold that girls hand Walk with her back to the maternity ward that evening so when they look on in concern cradling their new baby I’d be there and comfort her so she felt less out of place. When I walked into the NICU each morning and you asked how I am Were you just opening a conversation or did you really want to know Because I laughed with you and said I was ok but was I? Up to 70% of mums experience Postnatal Depression following a NICU stay A forgotten corner of pregnancy as we slip through the maternity journey I’m not the 70% because you never asked me. They say hold the mum, not the baby But I didn’t have my baby by my side So maybe you didn’t know I needed to be held. #nicuawarenessmonth #nicu #nicumom #nicumum #nicumama #preemiebaby #preemiesofinstagram #preemiestrong #nicunurse #midwife #midwifery #birthtrauma #pregnant #pregnancy #mumsofinstagram #momsofinstagram #newborn #twinmom #twinmomlife #twinmum #twinmumlife #postnatal #postnataldepression #postpartum