Medical City Healthcare | Take Care | Spring 2019

began receiving weekly shots of 17 hydroxyprogesterone to pre- vent pre-term labor. Buying time “As the five-month mark drew near, I could only pray to make it past that day,” she said. “What was a normal milestone to some was a huge breakthrough to me. Yet just 12 days later, I was diagnosed with cervical incompe- tency and admitted into labor and delivery. The baby was trying to be born early.” Because of the risk of another early membrane rupture, Em- ily underwent an emergency cerclage. Joshua Weiss, MD, a maternal and fetal medicine specialist at Medical City Dallas, placed a stitch in Emily’s cervix to help her body maintain this second pregnancy. Experts in any situation Medical City Dallas Women’s Hospital specialists are experts at handling the medical needs of women in virtually any situa- tion, including gynecological care, family planning and infertility treatment, labor and delivery, breast cancer treatment, meno- pause management, osteoporosis solutions, and more. Dr. Weiss’ treatment enabled Emily’s baby to stay in the womb 10 more weeks. Cason James Harris was born three weeks early, but healthy and strong. “Many of the doctors and care team who were with us during the delivery with Jack- son filled our room to say hello,” Emily said. “It was as if we received a big hug from our firstborn and knew he was with us in his own way. The care team was so wonderful to us and made sure we lacked noth- ing. In that moment, we were at once complete.” enough tears,” Emily said. “The cries of newborns pierced our ears as we went into a quiet room to meet our son. We listened to his heartbeat until it was no lon- ger and sat in silent tears as we held him close. This was our son, Jackson Reed Harris, and he was perfect.” A second chance Not knowing why Emily delivered early added urgency to a second pregnancy. “I had changed from naively thinking everything would be per- fect, to feeling like my body had failed me and simply hoping we would have another chance,” Emily said. “Nine months later I found out I was pregnant. As exciting as it was, it was also bittersweet and overwhelming. Would this child survive? Jeremy and I both knew we couldn’t bear to bury a second child. We hoped desperately for a different outcome.” Checkups went well and at four months pregnant, Emily “The care team was so wonderful to us and made sure we lacked nothing. In that moment, we were at once complete.” — Emily Harris FIND THE PERFECT DOCTOR for you and your baby at WeDeliverDreams.com . 5 MedicalCityHealthcare.com