Premature baby being held
At Every Turn > Specialty Care > How March of Dimes helped my family during our NICU stay
Patient Stories Apr 02, 2015

How March of Dimes helped my family during our NICU stay

Chris Jenson, Guest Blogger Apr 02, 2015

Like all first-time parents, Rachel and I couldn’t wait to meet our baby daughter. But when Rachel’s pregnancy got cut short at 23 weeks and 5 days — without warning or any known cause — that joyful anticipation turned into an epic fight for our little girl’s life. Charlotte was born weighing 1 pound, 4.5 ounces, just shy of 1 foot long, and given a 30 percent chance of survival.

We were confused, terrified, and caught in a complete whirlwind of medical personnel and procedures.

Thankfully, we were in excellent hands

It wasn’t just the primary nurses, psychologist, neonatologists, lactation consultants, cardiac teams, neurosurgeons, physical therapists, surgeons and pulmonary specialists who helped us get through what would end up being a 124-day stay at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s Wisconsin. The March of Dimes played a huge part as well.

Our representative, Angie Biersach, was among the first people to welcome us to the NICU. Rachel and I both have years of experience working in hospital support services — it was where we met, in fact — but it was a completely different experience being on the other side.

Angie could not have been better, providing us with every learning resource we could think to ask for, along with some we hadn’t even thought of, and a welcome bag containing guidelines and FAQ materials. She showed us a calendar with constructive and educational events lined up nearly every day to support us and provide us a much-needed community for parents with children in the NICU.

Though we were scared, we knew we were never alone

Smiling baby

Charlotte at 9 months

We have nothing but praise for all the wonderful people who helped keep up our family together and happy. Charlotte is now nearly a year old, and we’re thankful every day for the incredible support we received from Children’s Wisconsin and the March of Dimes. Those groups are celebrating 10 years of partnership this year, and it shows. They know what they’re doing.

Come join the March for Babies

We hope that everyone will consider taking part in the annual March of Dimes March for Babies, which raises money to help fund March of Dimes research and programs aimed at making babies stronger and healthier. This year’s event takes place on Saturday, April 25, at O’Donnell Park, 931 E. Wisconsin Ave. Registration starts at 9 a.m. with the walk following at 10 a.m. Or, you can register online today at marchforbabies.org/team/chw2015.

Children's Wisconsin Resources

Chris Jenson Guest Blogger
Children's Wisconsin specialty care providers have advanced training and expertise in many areas of pediatric medical care, including allergies, dentaldermatology, emergency medicineENT, gastroenterologyneonatologysurgery and more. 
 
View more articles from Chris Jenson

Related stories

Germelle Sickle Cell Disease Children's Wisconsin MACC Fund Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
Patient Stories Jan 02, 2025

A Boy’s Life: Doctors at Children’s Wisconsin Gave Germelle a Second Chance To Be a Kid

Evan Solochek Writer

For the first three years of Germelle’s life, he spent more days in the hospital than in his home.

Trinity Herma Heart Institute at Children's Wisconsin
Patient Stories Dec 09, 2024

Strength, Endurance and Connection: How Trinity Beat All the Odds

Jen Novotny Writer

When Trinity came to Children's Wisconsin in 2021, she had a very slim chance of surviving.

Owen and Ean Transnasal Endoscopy TNE Children's Wisconsin Gastroenterology, Liver and Nutrition Program
Patient Stories Nov 13, 2024

A better way: How a new technique is improving care for kids with chronic GI issues

Erin Kohlmann Writer

For kids with chronic stomach and GI issues, Children's Wisconsin is dedicated to bringing them comfort.

Lottie NICU Children’s Wisconsin HOPE (Healthy Outcomes Post-ICU Engagement) Clinic
Patient Stories Oct 23, 2024

Little darlings: A new Children's Wisconsin clinic is giving the smallest babies hope

When Lottie was discharged after nine weeks in the Children's Wisconsin NICU, her journey was just starting.

Collins Enteral Feeding Program Children's Wisconsin
Patient Stories Sep 23, 2024

Home sweet home: How a unique Children’s Wisconsin program is getting babies home faster than ever

Evan Solochek Writer

The Enteral Feeding Program at Children's Wisconsin is the only fully integrated, multidisciplinary newborn nutrition programs in the country.

Camden spinal muscular atrophy SMA Children's Wisconsin Neurosciences Center
Patient Stories Aug 28, 2024

A new hope: How specialized gene therapy is helping kids with a rare genetic disorder

Evan Solochek Writer

Cutting-edge treatments are giving kids with spinal muscular atrophy hope.

Shanika family single parent foster care
Patient Stories Aug 20, 2024

What matters most: Married or single, love is all you need in foster care

Shanika Wilder Foster Mother

Shanika Wilder used to think you had to be married or have a partner to foster — she now knows how mistaken she was.