On May 10, 2008, the scariest thing possible happened to me. Only 16 weeks into my pregnancy, I went into labor. I was immediately put on bedrest and had surgery to stitch my cervix closed. Then, on June 24, I went into labor again...at 23 weeks pregnant.
I was at a loss. I had a 4 year daughter at home, and we were all alone. Fortunately, the March of Dimes stepped up, and they gave me information about what to do to stop premature labor, options that we had, and resources for people in our position.
When I left the hospital, I was sent home with a terbutaline pump and a contraction monitor that had to be on me several times a day. I remained in bed for 6 months of my pregnancy, trying to keep my son safe. I was able to stop the medications, and I didn't have to use the monitor once I reached the "safe" point of 37 weeks, and my son Jacob was born at 37 weeks...at a whopping 10 pounds!
Thanks to help from the March of Dimes, dependent on donations for research, my son was born healthy. But millions of children born every year aren't so lucky. 1 in 8 children born in the United States are premature, and one in every two babies in the NICU won't go home. Those statistics are still too high.
I'm raising money and devoting my time to help support this amazing cause, and I'm asking for help from my friends here in the fandom. All the money raised supports MOD research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and help babies begin their lives healthy. It also goes to families who need help, whose babies are in the NICU.
You can find my page at http://www.marchforbabies.org/beckiey8. Please help me thank the March of Dimes for their part in seeing my son into this world by raising money for much needed research and support that will benefit other hopeful, growing families.
~Beckie @Beckiey8
