Too many moms and families know the heartbreak of having a baby born fighting to survive. This is my story.
I was (finally!) pregnant with boy / girl twins due on September 19, 2008. The nurseries were set up, the bassinets in our room: we were ready. On July 21, 2008 during a routine exam, the doctor announced he couldn't find our son's heartbeat. The memory of that day, the tragedy of the moment the announcement was made, the exact words I heard spoken by the doctor, will forever haunt me.
On July 22, 2008 at 10:40 a.m., the doctor delivered Julia via C-section, weighing in at 4lbs. 11ozs. and 17 inches long. She was born 8 weeks early. Noah was born sleeping at 10:41 a.m. at 3lbs 1oz. 15 inches long. July 22 will eternally be a bittersweet day.
Julia spent 4 weeks in NICU where twice, she was treated for an intestinal infection. The NICU was a place of roller-coaster emotions and some days I thought she wouldn't make it. Not a day went by I wasn't praying for Julia's strength. One particular Sunday afternoon that I was in NICU, I began crying and yelling at the nurses, begging them to please give me a guarantee that my daughter will be coming home with me since my son wasn't. All they could do was hug me and reassure me that they were doing the best they could.
There will always be a birthday celebration missed, an empty chair at the dinner table, and a hole in my heart. At the same time, we see how Julia has thrived in the years since her birth. To look at her now, nobody would every imagine that this child was born 8 weeks premature.
We've also been blessed with another daughter in 2009, and I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that our Angel Noah had a hand in sending this miracle baby to our family.
I made it my personal promise to march every year in memory of Noah & in honor of Julia while remembering all babies who were born too soon.
The money we raise for March for Babies will help:
- support all-important research offering preventions and solutions for babies born too soon or with birth defects
- educate women on things they can do to increase their chances of having a healthy baby
- provide comfort and information to families with a newborn in intensive care
- push for newborn screening and health insurance for all pregnant women and children
Please, help by donating today. It's easy, safe and secure - just click to make your donation!
The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.
