Avery’s Story

My pregnancy was different from the very beginning. You hear stories of how it’ll be but you never expect to go through the toughest time of your life when it’s suppose to be the happiest. When we got pregnant with Avery we were the happiest parents to be. We had just moved to Florida from New York to start fresh and that was the first news we received. However the sickness kicked in quick. I lost weight because I couldn’t keep food down. I become severely anemic and fatigued and spent most of my days hiding in my room from the world which made me super depressed. I suffered from the worst eczema and allergic reactions all over my face and body and broke out into hives so many times I lost count. We practically lived in the ER during my pregnancy. As holistic as I was I had to be put on medications to help me through the days. I will never forget the night I gave birth. I had pains in my belly and I hadn’t felt her move all day. I said to myself maybe I just need to shower and relax and we’ll be fine. So I did, but my boyfriends mom came into the room and convinced me to make one more trip to the ER just to make sure everything was ok. As soon as I got there I was being hooked up to a IV drip and put in a gown. Now that would make anyone freak out but not me. I was so sick that every-time I went to the ER I had to get an IV drip. While I was waiting on blood test and sonograms I noticed we can still hear her heart beat and see her move, but I still couldn’t feel her myself. I knew something was wrong. As soon as Cesar got to me he calmed me down and said no matter what she’ll be fine and I just hung on to that hope. As we sat there and waited for the sonogram to be over I knew my baby girl couldn’t wait anymore. We found out I had a calcified placenta and preeclampsia and I had to deliver now or me and my babygirl would not survive another day. Nothing in this world can prepare you for such a hopeless and scared feeling. While my c section was happening I remember feeling the doctor tug her out but I didn't hear her cry. All I could think was that I didn’t see her, I didn’t hold her, I didn’t have so many moments with my baby that a mommy should have. And then she made a noise and I knew somehow that she was going to survive this. Our baby girl was born 3 months early and weighed 1 pounds 12 ounces. We named her Avery Amal Castro. Avery came from a dream I once had where I was yelling out my child’s name. When I woke up she was kicking. And Amal means Hope and that’s all she’s brought us and our family. She was transferred to a hospital away from us for special care. Our months ahead of us would be even harder then her birth. I myself was hospitalized twice for a few days each time due to preeclampsia issues and missed far too many days away from her. Seeing your baby hooked up to monitors and hearing those beeping sounds day in and day out still haunts me. I remember every time her heart rate will get low and that monitor would alarm. I remember every night I would cry myself to sleep because I had to leave her in the hospital and not know if she would be there when I got back. Our lives were turned upside down for the next two months. Learning how to be parents at the NICU was a challenge. We see our friends and family have their babies and get to take them home and learn to care for them but we had to learn a whole new set of rules with her. As time went on it become a lot easier to pick her up and hold her without being so scared and interacting with her became so much easier because all we could see were those big bright eyes staring back. Avery was feisty from day one. Taking out her oxygen and feeding tube and trying to roll over like she was a big girl. Our beautiful girl is finally home and while we are still having reflux and belly issues with her she’s thriving and showing signs that a regular 2 months old would do. We want to ensure that she gets the most out of life and never has to struggle. Avery’s development is our number one priority. At the moment I am a stay at home mom and financially we are struggling to Provide for what she needs. Such as the pampers, Food, preemie clothes(VERY hars to find), gas for her appointments, etc.
All of the financial hardship is falling under her father who’s trying to provide for his small family and we are just barely making it. I’m asking for help so that we can get on our feet and get things going for her now that she’s home. The money we get goes straight into providing for her new life and development appointments she’ll be having. We want to thank you all for everything you have done for our new family and we are grateful for each and every one of you .