Nearly 4 years ago, I unexpectedly gave birth to premature twin girls, Mya and Stella. They were over 14 weeks early, and weighed just over a pound each. They were very critical, much more so than even a "normal" 26 weeker would be, and Stella, the healthier of the two, was given little more than a 50% chance of survival. My girls spent months hooked up to a high frequency jet ventilator, and numerous other machines. They both underwent heart surgery, chest tubes, and Mya had over 8 major operations. Both were resucitated on several occasions right before my eyes. We were lucky enough to take Stella home, and to watch Mya live to grow, smile, laugh, and play, but unfortunately, she never made it home. After over 6 month in the NICU, or little miracle passed away while Dr Beaumont preformed chest compressions and CPR on her. Prematurity is a cause very close to my heart, and we are doing the March of Dimes March for Babies this year. In previous years, we have raised thousands of dollars for this cause, but due to illness, we got a late start this year. If anyone would like to donate, I would be eternally grateful, it's such an important cause.

Here is our team page http://www.marchforbabies.org/myasmommy

Here was our little Mya at the very beginning...



And here is her precious surviving twin sister, Stella...she was just over a pound at birth...

wow, what an incredible and bittersweet story. thank you for sharing with us. my husband and i have actually given to the march of dimes several times already this year but would be glad to help out. good luck with the march.
lindsey

Lindsey, thank you so much, your donation is so appreciated!

Amy

Amy,

My heart aches for you & your family. Thank goodness you have been blessed with Stella.
I donated to the MOD for our local walk.

Kayla, thank you for sponsoring your local walk!

Amy, I gave a little; wish I could do more. Bless you and your family. Little Stella is so beautiful, but I'm sure I already told you that in another thread.

kathy, every bit is appreciated, thank you so much!!

Amy

Thanks for sharing your story. I used to work for the March of Dimes and their mission is dear to my heart. Our daughter Emma was born at 35 weeks and spent time in the NICU and I have worked as a Lactation Consultant in the NICU.

I'm not able to walk this year, but Emma's class is sponsoring their teacher who is walking.

Cat

Ah...a topic close to my heart as well. All 3 of our kiddos were early -- including my daughter Katia born 9 weeks early, weighing 2 pounds, 10 ounces. She will be FIVE in a few months -- and she has had nine surgeries so far. (One more and she gets a free red wagon...)

Here is a video of the day we took her home...(after 86 days in the NICU).

http://www.danieljwatkins.com/videos/092603.wmv

Little did we know that my wife (she's the Winnie Cooper look-a-like in the video) was 1 week pregnant with our next premie, our son Jonah -- he was "only" five weeks early though he tried to make his appearance at 28 weeks...bedrest, 5 hospital trips, prayer and medication kept him in the oven 'til 35 weeks.


Thanks for sharing your daughters with us, Amy. They are both precious little angels -- one in heaven and one on earth.

Thank you for sharing your story. We will be walking also for our son who is now 9 months but was born early also. I will be thinking about your little Mya as I walk. God Bless you and your little survivor.
Dawn

That was a great video!! I knwo the emotions you were having while you were there. It is so scary bringing a tiny one hoome but I am sure you three were so happy to have her home. Thanks for the video!

Dan, awesome video!! It totally reminds me of when we took Stella home after...86 days!! We didn't tape it that day (although we have tons of footage, including the day they were born), because I was so sad that we were leaving Mya still in the NICU, so I really loved reliving that day as I watched your video. Thanks everyone for supporting this cause, either locally, or through our walk!

Thanks Amy and Dawn -- I took lots of pictures but didn't bring the video camera until the day she went home. My little sister (Katia's Godmother) does a March of Dimes walk every year...and this year she's doing it while 7 months pregnant...so we are telling her to please take it very easy.

All the best to both of you with your team fundraising efforts this year.

Through tears I say, amazing. Such precious little girls. Oh, to have had 6 months with Mya must have been simply precious. They are beautiful. *hugs*

Grace and Peace,

Crystal

Thank you for sharing your story.

My heart goes out for you and kudos for you taking pictures of her. My daughter Olivia - Grace (that is where my business came from) spent a good part of her first year in n-icu and I was so exhausted and beside myself that we have not a single picture of her on her machines. When we first brought her home she was still plugged in the wall on machines and they let us have the nurses come to us and I still could not take a picture of it. I cringe to think if she did not make it and I would not have a single picture of her. Fortunately she beat the odds and lived without the major brain damage they predicted and is a vibrant 4 year old, but when I think back on it I get even sadder because I didn't take a single picture so she can see what a miracle she truly is.
I commend you for documenting her life and giving her the history she deserved in this world.