Chelsey Trigueros
Fort Worth, TX
My first pregnancy was going very well, until the morning I woke up not feeling well. When I was 31 weeks into my pregnancy, I endured a seizure and then a stroke. I was ultimately rushed to the hospital for an emergency C-Section.
My daughter was placed in the NICU where she stayed for one month, receiving donor human milk as needed. I had difficulty breathing on my own and was admitted to the hospital ICU for two days.
While I was “out,” my husband and my mother pumped and collected my breastmilk for me. I didn’t even know this had happened until I was later shown pictures of my mother holding the pumps in place while I was sleeping in the ICU. Wow! I couldn’t believe they did this for me.
When I came home from the hospital, my husband’s support continued. He woke up every three hours around the clock to wash my breastpump parts and, if needed, would hold the pump in place while I slept. My daughter and I continued our exclusive breastfeeding journey for 13 months.
Two years later, I was pregnant with our son. We had high hopes for a normal-term pregnancy. Liam was born at 28 weeks weighing in at 1 pound 13 ounces. He stayed in the NICU for 3 very long months.
During that time I almost lost my milk supply twice. As my milk supply dwindled, I worked hard to restore it. Ultimately, I was able to pump my way back.
Then, there was no need for donor milk because I "over produced.” I still continue to produce more than enough milk for him.
My freezer is always full of extra milk, so I happily donate it to the Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas. I’ve donated 5,210 ounces so far, and my goal is to donate 20,000 ounces total. This effort helps me raise awareness not only for tiny preemie babies, but also for employers.
I want all employers to understand that it is very important, and very normal, for employees to pump for their babies. I don’t think I’d have the success that I’ve achieved so far without the support of my employer, who understands that I need to pump every four hours during the work day to maintain a normal supply.