Meet the Ferrett Family
Being newlyweds, my husband and I were excited to find out we were expecting our first baby. Due to having Factor IV Leiden Mutation, a blood clotting disease, I was high risk from the beginning of my pregnancy. At 19 weeks we found out we were having a baby girl and little did we know 4 weeks later our lives would change forever.
At 23 weeks my water broke unexpectedly. The doctors were able to stop my contractions and give me steroids to help the development of our baby’s lungs just in case I would have to deliver. That night we were told if I had to deliver our daughter had about a 30% survival rate. The goal was to keep me from delivering as long as possible because every day that percentage would increase. Four days after my water broke our little girl was ready to enter world.
Loriana was born at 1 pound 5 ounces and 11.5 inches long. I only saw a quick glance of her tiny body before she was rushed to the NICU to get stabilized. Several hours after giving birth we were finally able to see our baby girl for the first time and nothing could prepare us for that moment. Seeing her through an incubator with all the wires, her body so fragile you could see every bone, and her skin red due to being so underdeveloped. From that moment on, we took one day at a time. I basically lived at the NICU and my husband would be there when not working. For the first five weeks of our stay, all we could do was put our hands over Loriana to comfort her. On day 68, we were told we could finally hold our baby girl for the first time. During our NICU journey we had some scary moments when I didn’t even want to leave because I wasn’t sure if the next day she would be alive, but every obstacle that was given to Loriana she overcame and exceeded everyone’s expectations. On our 113th day in the NICU, we were given the best news of all which is we were able to Loriana home.
Though we thought the NICU was the most challenging part of our journey, nothing could compare us for the next months ahead. When we came home from the NICU, Loriana was still on oxygen, had to be monitored 24 hours a day for her oxygen levels, and had a NG tube for her feedings. Loriana was also being monitored very closely with her doctors and we were having 2-3 appointments a week. Though these months were hard, we couldn’t have been more amazed at the milestones Loriana was accomplishing. Today, Loriana is a healthy 18 month old who is full of life, walking, talking, and meeting all developmental milestones. Every time she gives us that smile that can light up any room, we know all of our tears and struggles were worth it.
Looking back, we wouldn’t change anything about our journey. We call Loriana our miracle baby because she truly is nothing less than that. Loriana would not be where she is today without our incredible NICU staff and the March of Dimes. We are honored to be an Ambassador Family and to give back to this incredible organization who is improving birth outcomes for both babies and moms. It is truly important we support and bring awareness of all the research March of Dimes is a part of in preventing preterm birth. The medical advances over the past several years is why our daughter is alive today. Together we can help March of Dimes fight against premature birth, giving babies and families the start of life they deserve.
The Ferrett Family- Allan, Sarah, and Loriana
