We were so excited about expecting our first child. It was February, and I was beginning the 24th week of my pregnancy. My husband was thrilled to feel the baby kick and move for the first time, and we were making plans to welcome this new little person into our family.

Our plans soon began to change. I began hemorrhaging late one night, and we rushed to the ER. The doctor felt everything was probably okay. I would need to stay overnight attached to a fetal monitor, and an ultrasound would be done as a precaution. Soon contractions began and I was in labor. An IV was started to stop the labor, but the contractions only intensified.

After the ultrasound, we were told the baby would need to be taken immediately. I was given a shot in hopes it could work quickly enough to be of some help to the baby's lungs. Doctors came in one by one and explained their part in what was about to happen. I was numb. I could barely take in everything that was being said but understood that the baby was breech and would be born by emergency caesarean.

Born 16 weeks premature, weighing 1 lb. 8 oz., Jaden Paige arrived on February 4, 2001. After being stabilized, Jaden was transferred by ambulance to the Clear Lake Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Her strength truly amazed us. Jaden faced life-threatening complications and breathing was her biggest problem. She developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and her lungs collapsed repeatedly. Infections kept her from progressing the way we had hoped, but she continued to fight. At almost 2 months old she was finally stable enough to be held for the first time. She remained intubated for months before she started the gradual transition to an oxygen canula. She also developed retinopathy of prematurity, but her sight was saved with laser eye surgery. With the wonderful care from the doctor and the NICU staff, Jaden grew stronger and healthier. After 132 days in the NICU and many prayers, Jaden came home still on oxygen, monitors, and several medications.

Today, Jaden is a healthy, happy, and "normal" child. Although she will always have medical concerns, Jaden has truly been blessed. She has some developmental delays, but inspires those around her with her determination to succeed. We love and admire our daughter immensely and will forever be thankful to the doctors, nurses, and therapists who helped Jaden along her way. We also realize that many of the advancements in neonatal care that aided in Jaden's survival were developed through March of Dimes research.

Our family was happy to participate in WalkAmerica this year to help ensure that this lifesaving research continues. We support the March of Dimes in their efforts to help premature children and to reduce preterm births. Their fight against prematurity is truly saving tiny lives, and, for that, we can all be thankful.

J.P. and Shanna

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