Rebecca was born at 2:02am May 7th 2017 at just 23 weeks and 5 days gestatian, just barely "viable". She came into the world fighting and literally kicking and she hasn't stopped since. At just 1 pound 7 ounces and just 13 inches long she was incredibly small and fragile but it was clear she was a fighter. Kyle and I promised her we would give her every chance we could and this is how we started our crash course into parenthood. She never gave up, and neither did we. After 227 days in three different hospitals, 2 surgeries, countless IVs and central lines, echocardiograms, brain ultrasounds, multiple courses of pnuemonia, and 2 IV infections we finally brought her home on December 20th and celebrated our first Christmas as a family.
We often say that throughout this journey we have been both unlucky and incredibly lucky. We still don't know why my water broke so soon but in those months in the hospital we avoided so many of the complications of premature birth that we spent so much time discussing in the NICU. She is the strongest person I know and our own example of the fact that miracles do happen.
Today Becca is a smart, curious, funny, beautiful five year old girl. She loves skiing, reading, painting, learning about the solar system and dinosaures, riding her bike, and now swimming! Aside from her speech delay and soft voice quality left from her her former tracheostomy and a partially paralyzed vocal chord it is impossible to tell that she is the same baby born early that morning of May 2017.
Our story and the experiences we have had are far too common. This is the fifth year that we organize this team to raise money and awareness for premature birth, infant loss, and maternal health. 1 in 10 babies in the United States are born premature. We march in honor of Rebecca and all the other miracle babies out there. With your donoation the March of Dimes can research causes of premature birth, support families like ours struggling to get through each day in the hospital, and fight to get pregnant women the health care they need to ensure that every baby gets the strongest start possible.
This year we are thrilled to be able to finally get back to the March in Boston to walk in person surrounded by the other teams of families touched by prematurity and see some of the lovely people from the Beth Israel NICU again!
Thank you for your time and consideration, any donation helps but it is also incredibly helpful to share our story for others who may be touched and wish to help.
Fight like a preemie!
With preterm birth rates continuing to rise, the U.S. remains among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth, especially for women and babies of color.
At March for Babies: A Mother of a Movement™ you're lifting up communities, creating connections and taking action to make America a more equitable place and ensure that every mom and baby is healthy.
Together, we’re marching to raise funds and awareness to transform the health of all families!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
