Because of March of Dimes, I was able to survive preeclampsia. Because of research funded by March of Dimes, Makenzie was able to survive being born at 31 weeks. Because of March of Dimes, we were able to welcome little sister Hazel, full-term, despite my first pregnancy complications and preeclampsia.
My pregnancy started out like any normal pregnancy. Everything was always on track, always perfect, and baby girl was measuring in the 95-99th percentile for most of it. We went to our 20 week anatomy scan and she was so stubborn. We were only able to get about half the ultrasound images needed, so I was scheduled to come back to the OBGYN office for a second anatomy scan. Baby girl was still so stubborn and refused to let us grab pictures of her face and all the heart chambers. I made an appointment with Maternal Fetal Medicine so they could perform follow up ultrasounds as needed.
At 29 weeks, I went to the first MFM appointment by myself. They finally got to see all the chambers of her heart, but still no face. But they noted that my amniotic fluid levels appeared low. I made it out to my car before breaking down fearing that we might lose our baby. My AMAZING OB called me the next day to talk about the scans and what the plan was. A few days later, Father's Day 2020, I experienced swelling in my feet and my at-home blood pressure monitor was showing a high BP. We went into the Women's Evaluation Unit at the hospital and they checked for preeclampsia and did a quick mobile ultrasound… and we FINALLY saw her beautiful face. The next week, I arrived at my OBGYN office for a fluid check… and I was still losing fluid. I was put on bedrest at home for the next week with hopes that the fluid would stay the same or maybe come back up.
The next week, at 31 weeks, I walked into my OBGYN office for another fluid check… my fluid was almost non-existent and our baby hadn't grown in a couple weeks. I was admitted to Labor & Delivery. We were so scared of what would happen next. We met the amazing MFM team, neonatologists, NICU doctors, etc. who would be helping us during our journey. The game plan was to chill out on bed rest in the hospital until I reached 36 weeks and we could deliver our baby girl safely. But of course, nothing ever goes as planned. My first night in the hospital, my BP spikes and I started showing protein in my urine… preeclampsia. We tried all that we could to keep the pregnancy going, but my body finally gave up 5 days into our hospital stay. It was time to induce labor in order to save my life.
Shortly after receiving Pitocin, my BP started rising again. My head started pounding. It felt like my whole body was pulsing to my heartbeat and that I would thump right out of bed. Unfortunately at this time, we lost our baby's heart tones. My nurse, Savannah, was outstanding and stayed so calm and tried to keep me so calm. After calling a code and having 15 staff members rush into my room to help, we got her heart tones back. I had officially earned a First Class ticket into the OR for a c-section. While waiting for my spinal block, we lost our baby's heart tones again. Everything got hectic and I just remember hugging Savannah so tight while she helped me slow my breathing and stay calm. I was numbed, they laid me back, and our baby girl was born just a minute later. I just closed my eyes and willed her to cry. I needed to hear her cry. And then she did.
On July 6, 2020 at 4:34 pm Makenzie Joanne Baker was born (31 weeks 5 days). She weighed 2 lbs 10 oz, and was 15.5 inches long. She went straight to the NICU and was mostly able to breathe on her own. I remember leaving the OR and being wheeled up to the NICU to see her. They pushed my big bed into her little NICU suite and I saw her laying in her incubator with oxygen hooked up to her so she didn't have to work so hard to breathe. Little did I know that I wouldn't be able to see her for almost 48 hours because my BP was still high and another round of magnesium would be needed (the WORST). I just wanted to be able to hold my baby and have that “normal” newborn experience that I felt like everyone else gets. Being discharged from the hospital and leaving your baby behind in the NICU is one of the most gut-wrenching moments for a new mom to experience. The next day at home was my baby shower (yes, I had my baby before I even had a baby shower). It felt so surreal being at my own baby shower and not being pregnant anymore. But after my shower, we went up to the NICU to see our girl and we were told that we could finally hold her for the first time! That day will forever be etched in my memories.
It seemed like our NICU experience was going very smooth. We went to see Makenzie every single day. She was growing stronger and bigger every day. She finally started taking feedings like she was making up for lost time. Then at 30 days old, during a routine head ultrasound, they found a brain bleed. A follow-up MRI confirmed that she had suffered from a brain bleed, and we met with a pediatric neurologist. He told us that it was too soon to say what the effects will be, if any. I was holding out hope for the best. After 38 days in the NICU, Makenzie finally came home.
Unfortunately, around 3 months old, we started noticing fisting and signs of one-sided preference. At 10 months old, Makenzie was diagnosed with right-sided hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy. Although mildly affected, she struggles to use the right side of her body… but Makenzie is such a fighter. At almost 5 years old now, she is able to walk, jump, run, spells her name, sings, dances, and makes everyone smile around her. Makenzie is the strongest little girl that we have ever met.
This year is our first year participating in the March of Dimes - March for Babies Walk in St. Louis.
I joined the movement to create positive change for moms and babies everywhere, especially those most at risk. I am forever grateful for our care team during my pregnancy and after birth. But unfortunately, that level of care is not available for every mom and newborn.
With preterm birth and maternal death rates continuing to rise, I’m committed to raising funds so that every family gets the best possible start. But I need your help.
Please visit my fundraising page to make a donation. Together we’ll be part of a movement to make America a more equitable place and ensure that every mom and baby is healthy.
With preterm birth rates continuing to rise, the U.S. remains among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth, especially for women and babies of color.
At March for Babies™ you're lifting up communities, creating connections and taking action to make America a more equitable place and ensure that every mom and baby is healthy.
Together, we’re marching to raise funds and awareness to transform the health of all families!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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