Prematurity and Parenthood

by Maria Chifa

In this eye-opening, empowering, and inspiring poetry collection, Maria Chifa draws on her experience of giving birth prematurely to her twin daughters, of prolonged hospitalization in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and of various health issues encountered by her daughters to raise awareness of prematurity and to help other parents learn that they are not alone in their journeys.
Jarring and strikingly honest, this collection offers an unfiltered lens into the swirling variety of emotions and circumstances parents can experience during one of the most challenging situations they may face: having a child fighting for their life. For people who have been in this situation and for people who have not, the topics covered in this book shine a light on feelings we as humans should all be discussing more - emotions that are never an easy thing to write about, much less speak out about - like blame, anxiety, and grief. Through poignant imagery and scenes that awaken empathy and compassion, Chifa transforms these difficult topics into easy-to-read poetry that serves as a mirror through which the readers can see themselves: vulnerable, but also incredibly resilient.