[Editor’s note: The March for
Babies,
in its 41st year, is a walk benefiting the March of Dimes campaign
for healthier, stronger newborns—we hope the following story inspires you to
walk, donate or otherwise support and raise awareness for this community.] —
Our
beautiful twin daughters, Chloe Hope and Isabelle Frances, were born premature
on May 31, 2006, at just 26 weeks. My husband, Josh,
and I held our breath in the delivery room as they performed an emergency C-section.
We were thrilled when the NICU doctors in the delivery room told us both babies
were breathing and doing well. Chloe and Isabelle remained stable and seemed to
be thriving in the NICU.
Early
in the morning of June 1, Chloe and Isabelle had pulmonary hemorrhages at the
same exact time—a very twin thing to do—and went into critical condition. Doctors
woke us to say our goodbyes.
Chloe,
who was slightly smaller than Isabelle, and a bit weaker, could not take the
stress on her body. She died in our arms on June 2, two days after her birth.
Isabelle
fought for five weeks in the NICU. She was on a respirator, underwent several
blood transfusions and developed infections, in addition to collapsed lungs and
swelling in her brain. Isabelle was so strong and tough but her body was pushed
to its limit. On July 3—she, too, died in our arms.
In
2007, Josh and I were blessed with another little girl, Olivia Faith and in
2009 with a baby boy, Julian Ilias. Olivia and Julian are our little miracles
and we tell them about their sisters all the time. Chloe and Isabelle will
forever be their guardian angels.
We
are dedicated to supporting March for Babies. This is a very special cause. It
is so important to us, and to countless other expectant parents, that all
babies be born healthy. Click here to
make a donation for Team Levine, or register to walk.
