I developed preeclampsia with my first baby and was hospitalized on complete bed rest. The cause of pre-eclampsia is unknown and the only cure is delivery. Because I was only 26 weeks into my pregnancy, we were hoping to delay delivery at least another month. However, our efforts failed.  Due to placental abruption, Tyler was delivered by emergency c-section at 26 weeks. He stayed in the NICU for 98 days.

Tyler experienced many of the common complications associated with extreme prematurity including respiratory distress syndrome, apnea, anemia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosis, jaundice, and infections. The most life-threatening were the infections of sepsis (blood infection), pneumonia, and bacterial meningitis as well as having a pulmonary hemorrhage. As a result of his illnesses, he developed hydrocephalus requiring two shunt surgeries before the age of 6 months. Every day, it seemed the doctors were telling us something else was wrong.

But thanks to God, the wonderful doctors and nurses, and medical advances, our son is doing wonderful. Tyler is now 2 years old and showing no signs of cerebral palsy, vision or hearing problems, or other disabilities common in premature babies. I have been told by our pediatrician, NICU doctors, nurses and therapists that Tyler is truly a miracle.

I had no idea how common prematurity was until I experienced it myself. I am grateful for the March of Dimes and what they are doing to help save premature babies and improve their quality of life.

Shellee Jameson
Tuscaloosa, AL

If you would like to share your experience with preterm birth, visit the March of Dimes Share Web site, an online community for families who have had a premature baby or a baby in the NICU.