Lake Family

Sometimes it’s literally now or never

As if your early twenties aren’t tumultuous enough, Keisha Grossnickle faced a crushing diagnosis during hers: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a problem with hormones that happens during the reproductive years. Faced with the daunting prospect of infertility and looming health risks, she turned to her best friend, Stephanie Lake, with a question that would bind their lives in a profound way: "Do you want to have a baby with me?"

After taking time to ponder Keisha’s heartfelt declaration, “It's now or never,” and reflect on the gravity of the invitation to join her on the path to parenthood, Stephanie had an undeniable sense of clarity. “OK, best friend, let’s do this,” she said. And so began a journey that defied the constraints of medical challenges and the “traditional” family unit, forging an unbreakable bond fueled by the undying power of friendship.

They immediately delved into the world of fertility treatments, which consumed their lives for over a year. After their fourth attempt, Keisha and Stephanie found out they were expecting a baby girl. “When we finally got that positive test line, it was almost surreal to know that she was coming along,” says Keisha.

However, their path to parenthood had further challenges. Keisha's pregnancy, initially uneventful, took a concerning turn at the 33-week mark when doctors detected intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), a complication that jeopardized the well-being of both Keisha and the baby. As Keisha's blood pressure increased, medical interventions became necessary, resulting in an early induction at 35 weeks.

From there, Keisha's labor progressed rapidly. The doctor gave Keisha an epidural before proceeding with tests, when suddenly Keisha stopped her. “I still feel that!” she stated. The doctor kept touching different parts of her body, “Do you feel this? Do you feel that?” to which Keisha responded, “Yes, I feel all of those.”

But there was no time for a second epidural, as Keisha had gone from six centimeters to nine and a half in about 15 minutes. The baby was on her way out.

Amidst the chaos, Royal was born weighing a mere 4 pounds, 11.8 ounces, and struggling to breathe. "She was blue and not breathing... It was a very scary moment, wondering, how is my baby? Is she okay? Listening, waiting for her to just wail out and cry and only hear this tiny little squeak,” Keisha recalls.

Keisha got to hold Royal for just a few seconds before she was whisked away for urgent medical attention, leaving behind her two scared moms. “I just kept going back and forth to Royal and Keisha because I didn't know who to stay with—they were both critical at the time,” Stephanie says.

Royal spent three weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), battling the challenges of preterm birth. March of Dimes provided support and education for Keisha and Stephanie during their time in the NICU. “There was a lot of information for if we needed support or assistance or just someone to talk to, which was wonderful to have,” Keisha says.

Today, Royal is a vibrant four-year-old. Despite the hurdles she faced in her earliest days, she embodies strength and vitality. “The love that I have for Royal, I feel as if it is like no other,” Keisha declares. “That little girl is 100% my pride and joy—and she is definitely a strong fighter.”

Keisha, Stephanie, and Royal’s story stands as a testament to the power of friendship, love, and resilience in the face of preterm birth, and it’s because of families like theirs that we won’t stop fighting for the day when every mom and baby is healthy and strong.