On July 2, 2024, our lives flipped upside down. At only 19 weeks, during a seemingly healthy, first-time pregnancy, my body was going into preterm labor. My husband and I were told we would most likely lose our baby if labor progressed. We were rushed to the high-risk unit at TriStar Centennial Women’s and Children’s Hospital, where I would stay on bed rest until our daughter decided it was time for her arrival. At the time, we were unsure of how long I would be there. The goal was to get me as close to our November 21st due date as possible, but given how early I went into labor, that was highly unlikely. It was the scariest few weeks as we were afraid my body wouldn't’t make it to the “age of viability,” which is most widely accepted as 24 weeks. However, after several conversations with one of their amazing neonatologists, we were put at ease: TriStar Centennial Women’s and Children’s Hospital staff does everything they can at 22 weeks. This ultimately saved our daughter’s life. On July 23, 2024, at only 22 weeks and 5 days, Charlie Mae Byrd was born at exactly 1 lb and 11 inches long, ready to fight. Charlie was admitted to the NICU, where she experienced many steps forward and several steps back. After her first week, the “honeymoon phase” ended, and Charlie was maxed out on all supports. We sat with one of our doctors, hearing the words “comfort care” and “DNR” while preparing to decide if we should let our daughter “rest.” We knew in our hearts she wasn’t ready for that, and we planned to fight by her side as long as she told us she could. Charlie, our family, and her medical staff never gave up. None of us could have ever imagined the fighter she would be. Through several blood transfusions, apnea spells, maxed respiratory support with high-frequency ventilation at 90-100% oxygen, three doses of surfactant, and the help of strategically timed corticosteroids to decrease the inflammation in her lungs, she slowly grew stronger. We followed her lead; she always told us what she needed at the right times. On December 8, 2024, our miracle girl came home after 139 of the longest days in the NICU. Charlie is now 7 months old, nearing 13 lbs. and 23 inches, weaning off oxygen, and getting sassier by the day! We’ve spent the last couple of months taking her to various therapies, specialists, and appointments, but most of all, we’ve been feeling so thankful to have her home. It’s been the sweetest weeks having our worlds collide - introducing her to our friends and family, seeing them fall just as in love with her, and finally watching her experience the world around her. Without our medical staff, hundreds of prayers, and the work March of Dimes has done for the health of premature babies and their mothers, I’m unsure where our family would be today. It’s with great honor that we've been chosen to be the 2025 March of Dimes Ambassador Family for the 2025 March for Babies walk. We’re joining March of Dimes to give back to the organization that helped give our girl a fighting chance. The NICU journey is incredibly tough, but premature babies and NICU families are tougher. Please join us in marching to raise awareness of how strong our preemies are and advocate for their fight. We’re forever grateful for March of Dimes and the March for Babies. Join us on April 19th to March for Charlie and her special club of NICU stars, families, and angels. https://www.marchforbabies.org/marchingforcharlie