After undergoing IVF to have my son, Carter, discovering I was pregnant with Ben felt amazing. Ben’s due date even coincided with my birthday, making his arrival feel extra special.
The pregnancy started out wonderfully both physically and emotionally. Doctor appointments went well, and we were excited to prepare Carter for his new role as big brother. We even sent out photos of Carter sporting his "I am the Big Brother" t-shirt. Sadly, things took a turn and Carter wasn’t able to wear his other big brother shirt as we'd hoped.
On Sunday, April 27th, I visited the ER for what seemed to be minor complications, but it turned out they were serious. At 19 weeks, I began to dilate and learned I'd need bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy. After staying overnight for observation, my water broke the following morning.
With my water breaking, labor was expected within 24 hours. We faced many theories about possible outcomes, but none were positive. Since I was only 19 weeks along, Ben wouldn’t survive on his own.
As the day continued without labor, Ben’s heartbeat remained strong, giving us hope he would become our second miracle baby. These hopes and fears persisted throughout the week as I lost water, yet Ben’s heartbeat stayed strong. Despite this, the doctor warned the outlook was still grim.
We desperately wondered if there was any way to change what was happening. Planning funeral arrangements for your unborn child is heartbreaking.
On Friday, May 2, 2008, at 11:23 p.m., Ben was born an angel. He was too young for his kidneys to function, but he was perfect in every way—ten fingers, ten toes.
In Ben’s honor, I created the March of Dimes team, For the Love of Ben. Since I’ll never be able to buy Ben a birthday present, this walk is my gift to him—giving hope to families whose babies are born too soon or ill.
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!
