Walking for Babies

One year ago this month (March), we found out we were pregnant.  Our lives at that point were simple, our thoughts on pregnancy were innocent, and our hearts were being prepared for something much bigger than we ever expected.

Five months later we were shocked when our life story took a change and baby Ethan was born at just 28 weeks.  He weighed 2 pounds, 6 ounces.

From the moment we entered the hospital, services were provided to us.  We were immediately assigned a social worker who kept us on track with all of the emotional, financial, and physical help we needed.

We took a tour of the new, state-of-the-art NICU a few days before Ethan was born.

Jenny was given steroid shots to help Ethan's lungs develop while she was on bedrest.

Materials were provided to our family that helped us understand what was happening, the new terminology we were learning, how to cope with the combination of heartache and joy, and even how our older son and extended family would handle the entire situation.

Immediately after delivery Ethan was given numerous tests that told us of the possibility of brain bleeds and heart problems, which there were none.

He was given surfactant to open the air sacks in his lungs.

The list could go on forever, explaining the different ways we have been impacted by March of Dimes, but each of these things would not have been possible without the research and money donated by March of Dimes.

Our family has the same goal as March of Dimes.  One day we would like to see a world where parents don't have to learn what bradychardia is, know what a pik line is and why it is so important, have to wait for days before they are able to hold their babies, and where the birth of all babies is pure joy, without fear, without sadness, without heartache.  Before we had Ethan, we did not know this kind of pain could exist in such a joyful moment.

So please help us along the way by donating to our March for Babies team.  This year our family has been selected as the ambassador family for the Bartlesville, Oklahoma walk.  Ethan's story and photo will be shared with other teams, businesses, and events, in order to raise awareness about premature births and the research that is still ongoing to help prevent it.

You can go to our team page at: www.marchforbabies.org/team/diveleys and make a donation there.

Donations may be made to the entire team or an individual walker.  March of Dimes uses 77¢ of every dollar raised to support research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives.  These dollars help families just like ours.

Any amount is appreciated.  If you have any other questions, please contact us at diveleys@taylornews.org.