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Jennifer and her husband were thrilled and over the moon to learn they were having a baby. Then at 23 weeks, Jenifer began experiences complications with her pregnancy. It was determined that she was experiencing preterm labor contractions. Treatment helped hold off birth for a few days, but it was soon clear that she was in preterm labor. There was no stopping it anymore.
Isabelle was born at 23 weeks, more than four months too early. She weighed just 1 pound, 6 ounces. Jennifer remembers thinking, "I just didn’t know babies that small could survive outside of the womb." Her parents could only watch her struggle to survive. Isabelle developed aggressive retinopathy. After two weeks in the NICU, Jenifer and Todd were able to hold her daughter for the first time.
After nearly five months in intensive care, Isabelle finally was able to come home. Today she's a happy, thriving, tenacious toddler. March of Dimes NICU Family Support team was there to guide Jennifer and Todd through there in families NICU journey. The program "provided us care and help when we needed it most," said Jennifer. "And we're incredibly grateful."
