One Pound, Twelve Ounces

A Preemie Mother's Story of Loss, Hope, and Triumph

By: Melissa Harris

Narrated by: Melissa Harris

Melissa Harris’s dream of being a mother again shatters when a fertility doctor tells her she may never have another child due to a physical anomaly in her uterus. Determined to persevere, she undergoes nine surgeries and a year of fertility treatments until she finally gets a positive pregnancy test—only to miscarry both twins within the first fifteen weeks.

When what she’s decided will be her last attempt results in her finally becoming pregnant, she’s told that this baby, Sam, is also at risk. While lying in a hospital bed for six days, trying to get to the golden standard twenty-four-week gestation mark, Melissa makes a decision—she will give this baby every chance to live, no matter what it takes.

One Pound, Twelve Ounces is the journey of one mother’s determination to give her micro-preemie a fighting chance, and the story of that baby’s remarkable battle to survive.

©2021 SheWritesPress (P)2021 Melissa Harris

A preemie love letter

“One Pound, Twelve Ounces” is a love story written by a mother to her son. That mother is my friend, Melissa. Melissa and I met in high school and bonded over basketball. We lost touch a bit after high school when she went off to college and life became the craziness that life is. We were able to reconnect and now keep in touch on a more regular basis. While we had drifted apart, Melissa got married and became a mother. This is a part of her story I wasn’t there for. So when Melissa published this book in 2021, I immediately knew I was going to read it, but I knew it would be hard. She then announced she was releasing an audiobook version, and I knew that was the version I wanted for this experience. I finally ripped the Band-Aid off and started listening last week and finished today. If I didn’t know she was amazing, and strong, and resilient, before this, I certainly know now. I cried, I laughed, I shook my head, I swore out loud, and then I cried again. Melissa‘s kids, Irene and Sam, don’t know how lucky they are to have her as their mom. Now about the book… to say it was insightful, is an understatement. Melissa shares her story in a way that simplifies the medical terminologies so that someone who hasn’t gone down that path can understand the fear, anxiety, and utter exhaustion that comes with preemies and micro preemie’s. This book is for anybody who loves somebody. Because inevitably, somebody you know, or maybe even you, will have this battle to fight. I know that reading this book makes me a better friend and a better human. Thank you for your courage to write your story and share it with the world, Mel. Love you ❤️