Although Prematurity Awareness Month ends today, Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas remains dedicated to building awareness about preterm birth and helping the babies and families affected by it. Here, we feature Mary Jennifer's story about her preemie, Isaac (pictured above) and how she is currently donating her extra breastmilk to help other critically ill babies. As a respiratory therapist from Lufkin, Texas, Mary Jennifer knows what to do when a patient struggles for air. But when her baby, Isaac, was born fighting to breathe, it got personal and very scary . . . very fast. Mary Jennifer had gone into labor early at 35 weeks and after delivery, it was clear that Isaac's lungs were underdeveloped and he would need special care. She explains,
The nurses whisked him away just after he was born and immediately began working on him. He had to be flown by helicopter to another hospital to be in the NICU for over 10 days. I knew what to expect but going through the experience was surreal. He had to have several doses of surfactant and needed CPAP and oxygen for a little more than a week. When he finally turned the corner I got to hold him after 4 days. That is one of the mental pictures that will stay with me until I die. He knew just who I was and wrapped his little legs around me and held on with his toes. My heart melted and I have been completely smitten with him ever since!
While in the NICU, Isaac didn't need donor breastmilk. Jennifer was able to pump her own milk until Isaac was able to nurse on his own. After receiving so much support in the NICU and donated baby items from friends, Jennifer was looking for a way to give back. She says,
After seeing other moms not able to feed their little ones in the NICU, I knew what I could do to help. I had an overabundance of breastmilk. I discovered Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas through an internet search and have been donating since this summer.
Parents, who suddenly find themselves in the NICU with a sick baby, immediately feel overwhelmed, confused and scared. As one mom recently said on the milk bank's Facebook page, "You are never in the driver's seat when you have a preemie." Like Mary Jennifer and her husband John, parents of a preemie will need extra TLC from family and friends. Mary Jennifer has the following advice:
These families need plenty of support, love and help. Make meals or run errands for the family. Bring them a snack basket for their stay in the hospital or give them a stack of $1 bills for the vending machine. It is the little things we appreciated the most.
