March for Babies
Chester County
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West Goshen Community Park
1023 Fernhill Road , West Chester, PA 19380
Date: Sunday, April 24, 2016 10:30 AM
1023 Fernhill Road , West Chester, PA 19380
Date: Sunday, April 24, 2016 10:30 AM
Our ambassador
2016 West Chester Ambassador David Loehlein
2016 West Chester Ambassador David Loehlein
In 2014, Julia and Philip were eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child. Julia’s pregnancy appeared to be progressing normally, until she began having severe liver pain, and at 27 weeks she was diagnosed with HELLP Syndrome and needed to have an emergency c-section. David was born 12 weeks early, weighing just 2 pounds, 7 ounces on August 14, 2014. Luckily, within a few days Julia completely recovered but David had a much longer road ahead. He spent the first three months in the Neonatal intensive care unit fighting the challenges of his early birth. He required
hernia surgeries and many follow ups with specialists to monitor
problems with his lungs, eyes and heart.
It was a difficult time for the Loehlein family. Spending time in the NICU can be frightening and overwhelming for parents, especially when they must go home each night and leave their precious baby behind.
After 95 days in the NICU and on oxygen due to his lung disease, David was finally able to come home. Today, he is almost two years old, with many of his health problems resolved. He loves to read books and play with blocks.
Like David, about 380,000 babies are born too soon in the United States each year. Preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face an increased risk of a lifetime of health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others. Even babies born just a few weeks early have higher rates of hospitalization and illness than full-term infants. The March of Dimes is committed to reducing this toll by funding research to find the causes of premature birth and providing comfort and information to families.
David’s parents, Julia and Philip, know the significant role that March of Dimes research played in helping David get this far. As the 2016 Chester County Ambassador Family they will share their story and help raise awareness of premature birth. They hope their story can provide hope for other families and help the March of Dimes to reach the day when all babies are born strong and healthy
National partners
