Ami Vanderhoof

In honor of our two miracles, the Vanderhoof family will be strapping on our walking shoes and joining the movement to put an end to premature births. 

MY REASON WHY - OUR STORY

As many of you know, both Logan and Hannah were born prematurely, for completely different reasons. 

Logan was born at 30+5 weeks gestation after my water spontaneously broke at 29 weeks. Due to infection risk, I was kept under hospital monitoring and made it a full week until the infection was setting in and he was urgently induced. We still do not know why my water broke. Logan had a fairly uneventful 58-day NICU stay, requiring oxygen, TPN, and time to grow - and was home one week before his due date. 

Although we were taking all precautions to make it full term with Hannah, at our 20-week ultrasound, she was diagnosed with SEVERE IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction).  She just wasn't growing in the womb and was 2 weeks behind where she should be. In addition, I was diagnosed with Pre-eclampsia. Hannah was not thriving, and my blood pressure was causing complications and distress on us both, so at 25 weeks, I was whisked into an emergency C-section to save both of our lives. 

Hannah was given a 5% chance of survival based on her weight at birth, 475 grams. Babies under 500g rarely survive (especially those born growth restricted), and just a few years ago, the NICU would not have resuscitated in the OR if she was under 500g. It was a very rocky start for our girl.  She was resuscitated in the operating room, immediately ventilated, eventually put on steroids and an oscillating ventilator (pumping 600 breaths per minute) when 'their backs were against a wall', she was revived (bagged) three times, multiple blood transfusions, jaundice, several apneic episodes over 104 days, until she finally came home! 

I AM SO SO THANKFUL FOR MODERN SCIENCE AND NICU TEAMS WHO CARE SO DEEPLY.

I am committing to putting an end to premature births. 10% of US births are preterm, our country has one of the worst premature birth rates graded at a C - and the rate has risen the past 5 years consecutively. I participate in March of Dimes to help all moms and families experience the joy of a healthy baby. Nearly 4 million babies are born each year, and we have a lot of work to do to help them all. The funds I raise enable March of Dimes to support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy that truly makes a difference to families in our community and across the country. Research and programs that directly impacted us while in the NICU, and allowed us the chance at life. If you believe, as I do, that every baby deserves the best possible start, please march with me or make a donation to support this community effort. Together we can fight for the health of all moms and babies.