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Story Archives: Labor of Love: March of Dimes works to save babies


Labor of Love: March of Dimes works to save babies
by Scott Rogers - posted Friday, March 7th, 2008 @ 9:24 amE-mail Story E-mail Story | Print Story Print Story 
Mistie Caples never hesitates to promote the March of Dimes, and whenever people ask why they should donate to the organization, she only has to show them pictures of her two children.

Caples, the vice president of marketing at Ouachita Valley Federal Credit Union, is the mother of two premature children.

Her oldest son, Dawson, 3, was born at 28 weeks and weighed only two pounds, seven ounces. Her daughter, Reighanne, 1, was born at 34 weeks and weighed four pounds, five ounces.

Both children had complications, but Dawson fared the worst. Early on, it was not known if he would survive.

"With Dawson, I didn't realize I was having problems," Caples said. "I had the perfect pregnancy up until about 28 weeks when I went for an ultrasound. The tech noticed something wasn't right. That was a Friday afternoon at 2:30. Thirty minutes later I was at St. Francis, and about an hour later they were delivering Dawson."

While in the womb, Dawson's heartbeat slowed and doctors had to perform an emergency c-section.

"It was a blessing that I had that ultrasound that day," Caples said. "Had I not had that ultrasound, we wouldn't have known, and we wouldn't have Dawson today."

Dawson's primary complication was with his lungs, which were underdeveloped. He was on a ventilator for 10 days and had surfactant therapy, which premature babies undergo if they have complications with their lungs.

"I have a picture of my husband's wedding band actually over his foot, on his leg. That's how small he was," Caples said. "When someone asks me what did March of Dimes do for me … March of Dimes didn't come up and give me a hundred dollars, but what they gave me was the research to help protect my baby."

March of Dimes funded surfactant therapy research in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Since the 1970s, the organization has funded various research projects for treating complications stemming from premature births.

"Through their research, they developed surfactant therapy, and they realized if you give a premature child surfactant in their lungs, it would help to boost and mature their lungs," Caples said. "Since that research, the death of premature infants has actually decreased two-thirds."

Premature babies can have up to three doses of surfactant therapy. Doctors told the Caples that Dawson could receive one last dose, and it would either work or not work. He did not respond to the first two doses, so the third dose was his last chance at survival.

While Reighanne was born six weeks premature, she did not have the same complications as Dawson. Her stay in the neonatal intensive care unit was much shorter.

Caples credits her children's recovery not only to the therapy the March of Dimes helped fund but also because of the prenatal care she received during her pregnancy.

The March of Dimes advocates prenatal care for mothers. The organization dedicated its mission to maternal and infant health. It says proper prenatal care is one of the best ways to ensure the health of babies.

Caples' children continue to receive therapy today, and she said they are doing well. Dawson has breathing issues , and he could be limited in activities he tackles later in life, such as sports and other physical activity. Right now, though, he is a typical little boy, running and playing, never tired.

"We can hardly keep up with him," Caples said.

On May 3, Dawson, Reighanne and their parents will walk in Forsythe Park to help raise money for the March of Dimes.

Registration for the March for Babies will begin at 8 a.m.; the walk will begin at 9 a.m.

Lori Shannon with CenturyTel is the chairman of the 2008 March of Dimes' March for Babies event.

According to Shannon, the March for Babies route will be different this year. There will be no walking on major streets.

"We will go along the river and through residential areas, which is much safer for children, as well as adults." Shannon said. "The route is just a little over three miles and will be a nice energizing walk for everyone."

Shannon said activities before and after the walk will include "cheerleaders, soloists, games, children's activities, hot dogs, birthday cake and ice cream for the annual Preemie Party."

Prior to the March for Babies event, ULM will host a 'Pack the Park' fundraiser beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 6, at the men's baseball stadium. During the first week of April, ULM students will raise money for March of Dimes. The fundraising drive will conclude with a celebration at the baseball field with games and activities for local families.

For more information about both events, or to participate in the March for Babies, contact the March of Dimes at 387-3650.
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