When two moms were placed on bedrest at Novant Health Prince William Medical Center, they had no idea what bonding and friendship would form because of their situations. Deena was diagnosed with Placenta Previa, a condition where the placenta lies low in the uterus and covers the cervix causing heavy bleeding. She was placed on hospital bedrest for five weeks. The staff promised her "This will be over before you know it." They were right!Arlo was born via an emergency cesarean section at 32 weeks. He spent 35 days in the NICU. Through all the alarms and feeding tubes he never gave up. From his little NICU bed, Arlo was alert and curious about the world outside. He was always looking beyond the door to his future. Today, he’s a thriving one-year-old. His amazing smile lights up the room.
Audrey’s three weeks on hospital bedrest was due to a rupture in her amniotic sac. It was anything but “Rest” as staff came in around the clock to monitor her and the baby. The staff at PW Novant was incredible and made big sis (age 1) feel like a rockstar when she visited her mommy each day. Shay was born via an emergency c-section at 30 weeks (3 months sooner than big sister, Reese). She was unable to breathe on her own for several weeks. Shay spent 43 days in the NICU slowly gaining weight and growing strong. Now, this one-year-old is meeting and exceeding her milestones. Shay will continue to have issues with breathing as her lungs were not fully developed at birth, but with her fighting spirit, she will continue to thrive.
Deena and Audrey constantly checked on one another's infant while they were in the NICU and continue to message one another daily. They can't imagine this past year without the support from each other. Their bond is incredible. They rode the NICU roller coaster together and that is a ride many people cannot understand.
While Arlo and Shay were in the NICU during March for Babies last year, both families are looking forward to walking with their miracle babies this year.
Neither Deena or Audrey imagined this experience would happen to them. That's why they encourage you to participate in March for Babies – to help the March of Dimes fight prematurity so more babies can get the strongest start possible.
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