#30DaysofBrave - Victoria

"2 time HELLP Syndrome Survivor. My second time having it I was 34 weeks pregnant. I was admitted to the hospital and had time for 2 rounds of steroid shots. I was taken to a specialist alone due to covid to check on our baby boy. We left the specialist and went straight to the OR. My husband met up with us and everyone was prepping me for an emergency C Section. Everything was moving so fast my husband asked the nurse, “what is going on?” And she turned to him and told him his wife’s liver was swelling and breaking down and they needed to have the baby.”

About 15 minutes later Walter was born 34 weeks but 5 pounds 1 ounce. He came out breathing on his own. I got to see his sweet self for a few second before he was taken to the NICU and I was taken to recovery. I would not be able to see him for 24 hours due to having to recover from HELLP and being on a mag drip. Walter was perfect. He had trouble feeding and would spend 19 days in the NICU. He was a champion breastfeeder but struggled on the bottle. When the NICU allowed me to spend 2 days over night he finally got to go home. Those were some dark days with lots of tears. But we are blessed with our happy and healthy baby boy."

So much bravery from #NICUmom , Victoria. Thank you so much for sharing your story.