Katie Nadick

As a staff member for the March of Dimes for over 10 years, I have learned firsthand the importance the March of Dimes plays in leading the fight for the health of all moms and babies.

Five years ago, after being with March of Dimes for 5 years, I became pregnant with our daughter. My pregnancy was the easiest imaginable. I had no morning sickness and sailed through all of our prenatal appointments with flying colors. Ryan and I made a trip to Europe during my second trimester and finished out the summer by preparing to welcome Avery in October.

At 35 weeks, I went in for an ultrasound and was devastated to learn that Avery was very, very small, measuring less than the first percentile for her gestational age. The next 3 weeks were some of the scariest of our lives, filled with twice-weekly visits to the doctor to monitor Avery. At 37 ½ weeks, I was induced. We welcomed Avery on October 6. While she was only 3 lb. 12 oz., we were SO lucky that she was healthy. She spent the next 10 days in the NICU growing, and we were finally able to take her home once she reached the 4 pound mark.

We never did get an answer which she was so small, other than a small placenta, and a very thin umbilical cord that was wrapped twice around her neck. We will forever be grateful for our healthy baby girl, as we know there are so many who have not been as fortunate as we were.

I'm raising funds for all those families who have been through the pain of a loss and those who endured many, many days in the NICU.

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.