Danbury Hospital, Norwalk Hospital, Yale New Haven Children's Hospital

Danbury, CT

Preemie’s Name: Jordan
Hospital:   Yale New Haven
Gestation: 27 weeks
Weight: 2 lbs 3 oz
Days in Hospital: 84 days 
Date of Birth: May 27, 1999

Jo Gallagher is the mother of a 27-week preemie girl. Jo spent 2.5 months on bed rest and was transferred to Yale New Haven Hospital when she lost her amniotic fluid  at her 24th week. She received medical intervention through Yale’s Maternal Special Care Unit and was able to maintain Jordan’s pregnancy and delivered Jordan in her 27th week. As many NICU parents experience, her pregnancy was difficult and she found that she struggled with the loss of the dream that she had envisioned for her first pregnancy. Jo’s family lived at the Ronald McDonald House in New Haven for two months after Jordan was born.  Jo also had medical complications and had to be re-hospitalized after Jordan’s birth which also brought many other difficulties for both mom and baby.  Her daughter, Jordan, spent 84 days in the Yale NICU and is now a thriving college student.  Jo hopes to share her story to give hope, joy, acceptance and peace to parents who are experiencing a NICU journey.  She is keenly aware of the struggle and feels blessed and grateful to have the opportunity to help other families through TTMF.