I joined the movement to create positive change for moms and babies everywhere. As a mom of a NICU baby, I know the feeling. Check out my son's story below.
My due date for our first child, Beau, was May 5, 2023. However, during a routine appointment on March 15, we were told that he was measuring small, and there was concern about a potential blockage. At my follow-up appointment on April 17, the doctors informed me that I needed to be induced that weekend or no later than the following week.
On April 22, 2023, I delivered Beau at 4:35 pm. Unfortunately, he was immediately taken to the NICU before I even had the chance to hold him. Only two hours later, Beau was sent into surgery to address the blockage, but before that, I was wheeled to the NICU where I prayed a powerful prayer over him. I felt that prayer resonate throughout the NICU that night, and I know it continued to sustain us in the months to come.
Beau had a blockage that required repair, leaving him with an ostomy bag. We were hopeful that he would soon undergo surgery to remove the bag in a month’s time, but just a week later, Beau had to undergo another surgery for malrotation of the intestines. This complication extended our stay in the NICU to three months.
During this time, Beau struggled to gain weight and was on a very small milk feeding, but by July 25, he had his final surgery, which was successful. He was discharged and came home on August 6, 2023.
Those three months in the NICU were incredibly long, stressful, and emotional for our family, but we made it through with the support of our amazing surgeon, Dr. Faith Hansbrough, and the incredible team of nurses and doctors at Woman’s Hospital.
The time we spent in the NICU was never what we had envisioned when we first learned we were expecting, but that experience transformed us into grateful and appreciative parents. Beau will turn two this year and is the healthiest and happiest baby.
God’s grace and healing power have been evident in every step of this journey, and we are forever thankful.
*Please visit my fundraising page to make a donation. Together we’ll be part of a movement to make America a more equitable place and ensure that every mom and baby is healthy.-
March of Dimes is dedicated to bringing people together to tackle America's maternal and infant health crisis—one person, one community, and one step at a time. More than a series of walks, March for Babies is an annual tradition that supports moms and babies every day, every step of the way.
March for Babies connects friends, families, and coworkers to improve the health of families nationwide. Together with March of Dimes, each step forward brings us closer to a healthy future for all.
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