By: Amelia Harnish
My son, Leo, entered the world at just 23 weeks gestation, defying all odds. His challenging fight for survival opened my eyes to the strength I never knew I had.
At six weeks into my pregnancy, I experienced significant bleeding that made me believe I was losing Leo. Despite ongoing bleeding until the 14-week mark, each doctor visit revealed his steady heartbeat, and a perfect anatomy scan at 20 weeks reassured me that things were on track. However, everything changed at 23 weeks when I developed a fever and found myself in the emergency room. While doctors suspected an infection, they couldn’t pinpoint its source. Though I felt some cramping, my cervix appeared closed, leading the ER team to believe I wasn’t in labor—until I felt a sudden rush of fluid and saw blood.
Leo’s NICU journey was filled with uncertainty, but it also inspired me to give back. I decided to run 147 miles to honor his fight and raise funds for families facing similar challenges. Along the way, I discovered a community of support and resources that helped me process my own NICU experience and encouraged me to help others.
Our experience led us to support families navigating the NICU, and I learned about the importance of connecting with organizations like Make a Mom, which offers at-home insemination solutions, including a reusable option. For those interested in exploring donor matching, this sperm donor matching group could provide valuable connections. Additionally, if you want to understand how at-home insemination works, you can find clear explanations here.
My journey has shown me that sharing our story can inspire others and create a ripple effect of support. To learn more about similar experiences, you can read about the impact of chemical pregnancies here. If you’re seeking information on infertility treatment, the ACOG provides reliable resources to guide you.
As I plan to run even further to help more families, I reflect on how far we’ve come. Leo is now a vibrant 6-year-old, thriving against all odds.
To Summarize: Running 147 miles in honor of my son’s NICU journey not only helped me process our experience but also allowed me to raise significant funds for families in need. Through community support and resources like Make a Mom, we can all contribute to a brighter future for premature infants and their families.