The Birth of Baby Victoria Grace: A Story of Victory and Grace Brittany and Jay Malone had always dreamed of becoming parents, but their journey was one of resilience, deep faith, and unwavering love. After years of trying to conceive and enduring two devastating ectopic pregnancies, they received the life-changing news on Thanksgiving Day 2023 that they were expecting. Their emotions were a mix of joy, excitement, and gratitude for the medical providers and community who supported them. From the start, Brittany and Jay focused on creating a positive, healthy, and empowering pregnancy and birth experience. Their first ultrasound confirmed the baby was healthy, with a strong heartbeat, filling them with hope and excitement. Throughout the pregnancy, they worked with the same medical team that had saved Brittany during her ectopic pregnancies. The lessons learned during those difficult times helped them ensure a positive experience this time around. Lessons Learned: - Having a caring, proactive medical provider is key. - Feeling safe allows transparency about concerns. - Trust your instincts and communicate them. The couple attended parenting classes together, prepared the nursery, and dreamed of their family’s future, supporting each other every step of the way. As her due date approached, Brittany marveled at the life growing inside her. She worked hard to maintain a healthy pregnancy through nutritious meals, staying active, and regular checkups. Jay was her constant source of encouragement. By the fifth month, they learned they were having a girl and chose the name Victoria Grace, symbolizing victory and unmerited favor—perfect reflections of their journey. Brittany’s family and friends offered unwavering support, sharing advice and reminding her of the strength of Black women in motherhood—a legacy of resilience and power. In the eighth month, the medical team advised a C-section as the baby was measuring ahead. Though not their original plan, their priority remained a healthy mom and baby. After thorough discussions, they agreed on a plan. On the big day, Brittany was surrounded by love and a dedicated medical team at Northside Hospital. At 1:13 p.m., Victoria Grace was born, healthy and strong, bringing their hopes and dreams to fruition. She was welcomed into a family filled with love, patience, and faith. The birth of Victoria Grace marked a new chapter for the Malones, one filled with excitement for the journey ahead as they watched their daughter grow and thrive. “We are excited to be the first Ambassador Family blessed with a healthy baby—and so much of our pregnancy and birthing experience can be traced back to the important work being done by the March of Dimes. This organization has been around since 1938, but we did not know about their contributions until we had a reason to benefit. Some of those ways were: -The research that has been done to provide education and resources for healthy pregnancies helped us to make good choices for healthcare, diet and exercise. -Their extensive research on ectopic pregnancies has led to a better understanding for doctors and patients, and improved care for families like ours facing this condition. -Their research has contributed to many of the medical practices that ensure healthy cesarean birth outcomes today. -Their work has also been instrumental in eradicating polio and improving newborn screenings, saving countless lives. We are proud to share our story and support the ongoing mission of the March of Dimes to improve the health of mothers and babies everywhere.”