Nicole Daley

The March for Babies mission is personal to us: when I was pregnant with Zahria, I was rushed to the hospital at 33 weeks.  I was initially hospitalized for a placenta abruption, but after two days of blood transfusions and monitoring, I was transferred to the ICU with suspected pneumonia.  After five days in the ICU, I was still in decline and Zahria was showing signs of distress so I needed to deliver her early.  She was born right there in the ICU, six weeks premature.  Winston, Zahria and I only got a few minutes together before he went with the team that brought her to the neonatal intensive care unit. The next day, a special incubator was used to bring her back to me in the ICU for a quick visit, but we could only get that privilege once.  Three days after I delivered, tests confirmed that I had congestive heart failure and a severe mitral valve prolapse, caused by a condition called peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM).  I'd never heard of it and I'd shown no warning signs before the night that I went to the hospital.   I was released with instructions not to lift anything over 5 pounds; she came home from the NICU weighing just over 4.  I was treated by a cardiologist for nearly 5 years until my heart had fully recovered.   

We recognize that while the specifics of Zahria's birth may be unique, there are so many other families who've suffered loss, complications, prematurity, and birth trauma.  We share our story to bring attention to the March of Dimes' efforts make pregnancy and childbirth safer for all families, and to offer hope and compassion to others.   Please support my walk. Making a secure donation is easy: just click the 'donate now' button on this page. Thank you for helping me give all babies a healthy start!