GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - It's a mother's worst nightmare, losing her baby, but it happens all the time with premature births. One local woman opens up about her experience and how she's bringing awareness to this life threatening issue.

“Both of them were actually premature. Zoie was born at 29 weeks and Zade was born at 34 weeks,” says Tammy Harris, bringing awareness to premature births.

Harris’ first child Zoie was born two pounds12 ounces. She stayed in the Neo Intensive Care Unit for three months.

“We went through a lot with her. Trying to get her to survive and stay alive,” says Harris.

Harris says her pregnancy was by the book, prenatal vitamins, no smoking no drinking. So when Zoie was born nine weeks early, it was a complete shock.

“I didn't know if she was going to be alive, not alive. We weren't allowed to hold her, touch her, she was on the ventilator,” says Harris.

Every year in Colorado more than 8,500 babies are born premature. More than 6,200 are born with a low birth weight. And more than 400 will die before their first birthday. That's why it's crucial to have state of the art neonatal care, like the Omni bed.

“You can weigh a baby on there you can take x–rays, so the baby doesn't have to be moved,” says Sherry Eidsness, registered nurse at St. Mary’s hospital.

Eidsness says right now she's watching over 18 preemies and the other week she had 23.

“This is the only facility on the western slope that can take on a 24 weeker,” says Eidsness.

But thanks to research there's now a drug called Curosurf, which helps develop preemies lungs faster, giving them a better chance of survival.

“The type of research that has been out, the type of equipment that they have come up with, has shortened the amount of time babies are on ventilators,” says Eidsness.

As for Harris, after having two premature births, she knew she had to bring awareness to this life threatening issue. And she’s doing so through the March of Dimes. A non–profit organization that raises money for research, education and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit equipment needed to help keep preemie babies alive.

“March of Dimes does help supply money to incubators and if it wasn't for the March of Dimes my daughter might not have had an incubator to stay alive,” says Harris.

11 News is the proud sponsor of March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction, a food lovers paradise that benefits premature babies.
Tickets are now on sale. The event is October 23rd at 6 p.m. at the Double Tree Hotel. For reservations call March of Dimes at (970) 243-0894.