A little bit about our fighter, Harper

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I want to first start off by saying I have been in your shoes. Whether you are struggling with Fertility, have had several pregnancy losses, or a baby in the Nicu. My most recent journey has led me down the nicu road. I did not have an easy pregnancy, and it was unexpected to say the least. After several years of pregnancy losses and fertility treatments my husband and I decided we would be done having kids. So, when I got dizzy and went to the doctor's, I discovered I was 6 weeks pregnant. I was shocked, nervous, scared, happy, and everything else in between. I had been having what I thought was my period the last 2 months based on my cycle history. Early on in my pregnancy, I was bleeding. I was considered high risk due to my age, past pregnancy losses, my previous baby was born at 32 weeks, and I also had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I had other stressful factors going on in my life, like everyone else, so we made our appointments and were scheduled to see the specialist. I had a partial placenta abruption around 17 weeks and was put on strict bed rest for a few weeks. The bleeding stopped and it looked like the abruption had not gotten any worse. We were so excited to have our 20-week ultrasound to only get some shocking news. Our baby had a bowel obstruction (Duodenal Atresia), a hole in her heart (VSD) a cleft lip, and a high probability of having down syndrome. We didn’t care, we would still love this baby no matter what. I continued to have weekly appointments, and at 26 weeks something just didn’t feel right. I went to the doctors because I felt like I had a UTI. I also let my obgyn know that I was having some pressure. My doctor checked me, and I was in-fact dilated and at a three and a half. With my baby having some health problems, we knew I would have her at a bigger hospital so Primary Children's could take care of her. I had my husband take me to the hospital and within the hour I was already at a 5. I was given shots to help develop my daughter’s lungs, and I was given medication to try and stop my labor. It seemed the medication was working and I was scheduled to go home Friday morning. I guess my daughter had other plans. I woke up a few times thinking I had to go potty, which I did. By 4am, I knew my contractions had started up again. I buzzed the nurse who reached out to the doctor, and I was in fact having contractions and at a 6. I was transferred back over to labor and delivery. Prior to my contractions starting back up, I had met with the anesthesiologist. I had previously the year before had a cancerous tumor removed from my L2-L3, so it was decided that I would be put under anesthesia and not have an epidural. So, with that being said, I had an emergency c-section, and my baby girl came at exactly 27 weeks not breathing. While we knew she would be tiny, I do not think anything can prepare you for the reality of how small 2 lbs. really is. My daughter was put on a vent after being resuscitated and after a long 14 hrs. of waking up and trying to process having a nicu baby I finally got to see her. We spent 3 months in the nicu, with many ups and so many downs. Along my journey I had so many people help with donating things to keep me busy in the nicu. I was given a journal, pen, a blanket, a cup, some preemie bows, and many more things I used my entire stay.  As a nicu mom sometimes you do not know what you need in that moment. You are overwhelmed, scared and you just wish you could be home with your baby. I want to help you feel at home, as much as you can being at the hospital with your fighter. At Fighters Haven Co, we have come up with a concept of making sure moms can have what they need while at the nicu whether it is just a few days, or several months. We also know there are so many women who are trying to become a mom. Please take a look around and consider donating to our cause.