My family is joining this mother of a movement to create positive change for at-risk moms and babies everywhere. Preterm birth and maternal death rates continue to rise, and we want to raise awareness and funds so that every family gets the best possible start. And we need your help!!
Both our beautiful daughters were born preterm with typical preterm health issues. Our firstborn, Eliza, was born 7 weeks early. I spent close to 2 weeks in the hospital trying to manage preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. Ultimately, Eliza was born by an emergency C-section. She spent 23 days being cared for in the NICU. She is almost 3 now, LOVEs to sing and ride her tricycle, she is so smart and the sweetest big sister. Her Doctors have said Eliza has caught up to an average 2-plus-year-old and impresses them with how far she has come.
Before our second child was born, we checked with doctors and my medical team to make sure it was safe for me to carry a second child. They all said, “Preeclampsia doesn’t hit as hard the second time”, “It’ll be easier the second time”, “It’ll be fine”. That was not true in my case. I spent a little over 3 weeks in the hospital, where my doctors tried to manage my preeclampsia and the balancing act of keeping both Emmy and me safe. Emmy was born 15 weeks early, a strong but tiny 1 lb. fighter. She spent 129 days in the NICU. She turned 1 at the end of December and is still tiny, but has come such a long way, from being intubated, having a feeding tube, needing a device placed in her heart to make it pump properly, to crawling, climbing, and trying so hard to walk, she loves to eat solids, and just waiting to be big enough to follow her big sister everywhere! She still has a long way to go, but we are so proud of the fight this happy girl has!
We are very fortunate that our girls can and have received the care they needed to get to where they are. Luckily, I work at the hospital, which makes it possible for us to afford all the treatments and care they have needed. We want to share the love; together, we can help bring more awareness to help ensure that every mom and baby is healthy and has the best possible chance. Please visit my fundraising page to help and make a donation.
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.
Thank you for your support!
