Welcome to Project Mama’s Hope!

I’m Danielle. Wife to Kevin. Mom of two loving and spirited little boys. Mom of an angel baby (loss at 13 weeks). Placenta Accreta and Placenta Previa survivor. Antepartum and NICU mama. Sister to many, daughter, and friend.

My focus in this space is on providing resources, advocacy efforts and support, for long term “antepartum” hospitalized mamas-to-be. Because I was one. And it was one of the lowest, darkest points of my life. I started this space- Project Mama’s Hope, to offer light in the dark, to educate and inspire along the way. For the many mamas, spouses & partners, siblings, families and friends of those who walk this antepartum journey. You are not alone! This blog, activities, donation drives, social media awareness posts & campaigns are designed to bring awareness, collect much needed items, and offer inspiration to this community. Please follow along to learn more about the positive impact we can have together!

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PROJECT MAMA’S HOPE AT A GLANCE

Why We're Here

After hemorrhaging at home in early December 2016, and being transported via ambulance to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, MA, I landed in antepartum care. I was on hospitalized bedrest through the holidays, and watched my (then) 2 year old son open presents on Christmas Day via FaceTime. It’s an experience I will never forget. Those weeks were the most frightening of my life. With complications stacked against me, they had to work to protect and save my life & our son’s. Thankfully, I safely delivered our second son at 34 weeks on December 30th, and we spent the next several weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

I have found that “antepartum” isn’t a commonly understood word. Contrary to some interpretations, it doesn’t mean “against birth”. It actually means “before birth” and translates to the reality of fighting to stay pregnant. It often means a high risk pregnancy, unexpected pregnancy complications, short or long term hospitalized or home bedrest, and stressful, scary and life threatening experiences for both mom and baby. In my perspective and experience, it’s not something people see or hear about often. And when mamas are in antepartum care, it’s very much a lonely, terrifying and unknown journey.

On my first survivor-anniversary, I made and delivered two Christmas care baskets, bringing them back to the hospital where I had been “ante.” I happened to know a mom who was on hospital bed rest, so one was for her and another was for another randomly chosen mama. After that first year, I kept making baskets and bringing them back each Christmas. December 2019 – I decided to scale the project a bit more, and posted an Amazon wish list on my personal social media accounts for my family and friends to help me provide more resources and items to mamas at the hospital over the holidays. My personal community came through huge, and that year we were able to create eight care packages. I also got to meet, sit with and talk to four ante moms who were willing to connect. It was incredibly powerful. Through the years I have realized that in harnessing the power of community, by sharing my story and organizing donation efforts- we can provide something tangible, instill hope and shine a light on antepartum awareness.

That is why I ultimately decided to launch Project Mama’s Hope.

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