Supporting Seiori’s Micro Preemie NICU Journey

Hello, All! My name is Paris Sweeney Austin! I am familiar with ABA therapy and previously worked with children with Autism and development delays. I recently gave birth to a beautiful miracle baby girl named Seiori [Say•Or•Ee] Elani Sweeney Austin on October 14th, 2023 weighing just 347grams (12oz). Her original due date was set to be February 8th, 2024, she was just under four months early. My water broke at 22weeks exactly due to cervical insufficiency. God willing I was able to get my treatments to strengthen her lungs and also prolong my pregnancy which only lasted 9 days before i got an infection called Chorioamnionitis (Chorio) which caused my labor to be induced for mine and Seiori’s safety. At 23weeks & 2days which is 5 1/2 months early Seiori was born a micro preemie. At this time I have no source of income come due to being out of work because of a high risk pregnancy and taking care of my mother who has recently received a kidney transplant in the beginning of my pregnancy, June 26, 2023. Each day I travel 35minutes away from my home here in Northern California to see my daughter. Crossing a toll bridge here in the Bay Area which is $7 each day and not avoidable has added up quickly. I currently get rides from my mom who is still recovering from surgery and has not missed a beat. Although days she is tiresome she still builds up the strength to help me get there. I would like to be able to drive my own car that is currently broken down. Recently that same vehicle has been broken into with an attempt of someone stealing it here in Vallejo, CA, Thank God they weren’t able to move it! I am able to use my mothers car a couple days out of the week but traveling to see my daughter sometimes clashes with appointments that are mandatory for her to attend. Gas has also been a hard factor as well since it has been at an all time high. I haven’t received a date or a timeline of Seiori’s home coming from the NICU but I also don’t plan on missing a day with her. It has become financially and mentally draining with the little bit of savings that I had before giving birth that is shrinking rapidly. I am a single mother with my first child. I am doing many things on my own with no support other than my mother at this time and I have to be able to bond with my daughter which means being present in her care times as well as skin-to-skin which is only hand hugging at this time because of her size, pumping, and bringing her fresh breast milk each day.

Thank you in advance for your support even if it’s just a prayer or words of encouragement in this time of hardship. - With Love, The Sweeney family

October 14th, 2023 — The Day Seiori Elani Sweeney Austin was born.

October 17th, 2023 — Seiori at just 3 days old.

October 26th, 2024 — Opening her eyes for the first time at 12days old.

November 2nd, 2023 — Seiori’s progress since birth.

November 3rd, 2023 — My very first time that I’ve been able to hold Seiori because of an incubator change. (The happiest moment of my life.)

November 14th, 2023 — Seiori one month after her birth (27weeks & 5days gestational age), now weighing 614gram which is a little over 1.4lbs. Very small but also very mighty