Meet Leo

• Baby Saves

• 10.19.16

This is Leo. He was born at 28 1/2 weeks.

At my 28 week appointment, I was told about the Count the Kicks program.

Honestly, I didn’t give it much thought as I’d never had problems with my first-born and had been pretty healthy with this one.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, I noticed some small contractions.

By the following Monday, I noticed he wasn’t moving much. I thought he was just being stubborn and sleepy.

A few days later, on that Wednesday morning, my motherly instincts told me something wasn’t right.

I remembered the Count the Kicks advice I was told about exactly a week before.

I called my doctor and was told to come in.

There was no fetal movement on the ultrasound, and a very, very faint heartbeat.

Within minutes, doctors literally ran me in for an emergency c-section.

Leo had to be resuscitated twice, but he made it.

He was fortunate to make it through a brain bleed, and after two months in the NICU he came home.

He is now an active and ornery soon-to-be 18-month old.

I can’t thank you enough for this program. The doctors told us if I had waited another few hours, both my son and I would not be here to share our story.

I’m finally able to share this with you, as it’s been difficult to be reminded of such a scary and uncertain time.

My advice to all moms-to-be: Listen to your instincts and count the kicks!!!