When my husband Dan and I found out we were pregnant, it was an unexpected miracle. I’ve had endometriosis for 12 years and we’ve been told children may not be possible. We were on cloud nine and so excited for our son’s arrival – May 11, 2019.
Aside from nausea, everything was going perfect. And then on January 18th at 23 weeks and 6 days, I noticed increased fluid. When I arrived at our doctor’s office, I heard his heartbeat - he was okay! I’ll never forget the look on my doctor’s face after that. She put her head down, looked over at me, “Justina, everything is going to be okay, we need to get you to the hospital immediately. You’re 3 centimeters dilated”. Chaos broke as Dan walked in the door. Our world came crashing down.
I was rushed to the hospital, the contractions started and they prepared me for labor. Words can’t explain the overwhelming emotions and thoughts we were experiencing. They were able to delay the labor with Magnesium, I would be on bed rest until I gave birth to him which could be in an hour or in weeks.
We got through the first 72 hours. It had been the most emotional 72 hours of our lives, and then the contractions started again. I was 9 centimeters dilated, he was coming whether we wanted him to or not.
On January 21st, 2019, our son Carter Moore Oldehoff was born. He was a micro preemie born at 24 weeks and 2 days. The birth of our son was supposed to be an exciting and amazing moment, but Carter was born fighting for his life. Carter was so strong and fought a hard battle. After 74 hours in the NICU, he couldn’t fight any longer. Carter Moore took his last breath in his dad’s arms on January 24th, 2019.
Carter’s Cause Foundation was created to honor Carter and his legacy.
We're on a mission to provide comfort and support to those going through one of life's most unimaginable events.
Through Carter's story, we'll provide resources to guide parents grieving from infant loss, parents living the NICU journey, as well as the family and friends who form their support group.
We'll share tools to help everyone - parents, extended family, friends, and the world.
check out the website here!!! I do!
www.CartersCause.org