Lindsey DeBoer

If you know anyone in our family, you know that the NICU is a huge part of our story. I was diagnosed with HELLP and preeclampsia during all three of my pregnancies. Thankfully, due to incredible obstetric care and close monitoring I was able to stay safe and healthy, despite needing to bring all three of my babies into the world far earlier than expected.

Preeclampsia and HELLP are pregnancy related syndromes that nobody can prevent or anticipate. Both preeclampsia and HELLP can be fatal to mom and baby. In the case of all 3 of my pregnancies, delivery was the only option to keep my babies and myself safe. We know very little about what causes these conditions, so raising money for research is the only way to help women and their babies in the future. 

My three kiddos were born at 34 weeks, 28 weeks, and 31 weeks. Between all three of them, we spent close to 150 days in the NICU. We are very aware of how privileged and lucky we are to have three healthy, happy and thriving kids that are now 7, 4, and 17 months old. Without the incredibly detailed care we received during our NICU stays by some of the best nurses, doctors, and therapists we could have asked for, I know my sweet babies wouldn’t be who they are today. 

Another reason this March of Dimes fundraiser is special to me is being able to walk alongside some of my extended family. We have all navigated different parts of complicated pregnancies, deliveries, NICU stays, and loss and I feel honored to support them as we walk together.