Rhea's CDH Battle
Donation protected
My husband and I have welcomed our first child into the world. Our baby was diagnosed with CDH and required immediate medical support at birth, a life saving operation, several additional surgical closure procedures and an extended NICU stay. We are starting this GoFundMe to help with the costs associated with medical support and bills following the birth of our baby. Any and all donations are very much appreciated so we can focus all of our time and energy on the care and support of our Rhea.
As many of you know, we welcomed our newest Rahl family member 6 weeks early in November 2020 via induction due to Mom developing preeclampsia. At our 20 week anatomy scan, Rhea was diagnosed with a birth defect called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). CDH occurs in an unborn baby when there is a hole in, or incomplete formation of, the diaphragm (the muscle under the lungs that is responsible for breathing). This hole allows the abdominal organs (i.e. spleen, liver, intestines, stomach) to move into the chest, and prevents the lungs from developing normally because they lack the space to grow. CDH effects 1 in 2,500 babies (1,600 cases in the US each year) and occurs as often as cystic fibrosis and spina bifida, yet most have never heard of it. On average, only 50% of these babies survive.
Rhea's CDH was quite severe, with most of her abdominal organs in her chest cavity, and required a large patch to repair the defect on Day 16 of life. She is fighting hard for her life right now and we are doing our best to cope through this difficult time. Thank you for your contribution to her medical expenses. We are keeping a website updated with the latest information, and you are welcome to follow our journey on our Baby Rahl Blog
As many of you know, we welcomed our newest Rahl family member 6 weeks early in November 2020 via induction due to Mom developing preeclampsia. At our 20 week anatomy scan, Rhea was diagnosed with a birth defect called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). CDH occurs in an unborn baby when there is a hole in, or incomplete formation of, the diaphragm (the muscle under the lungs that is responsible for breathing). This hole allows the abdominal organs (i.e. spleen, liver, intestines, stomach) to move into the chest, and prevents the lungs from developing normally because they lack the space to grow. CDH effects 1 in 2,500 babies (1,600 cases in the US each year) and occurs as often as cystic fibrosis and spina bifida, yet most have never heard of it. On average, only 50% of these babies survive.
Rhea's CDH was quite severe, with most of her abdominal organs in her chest cavity, and required a large patch to repair the defect on Day 16 of life. She is fighting hard for her life right now and we are doing our best to cope through this difficult time. Thank you for your contribution to her medical expenses. We are keeping a website updated with the latest information, and you are welcome to follow our journey on our Baby Rahl Blog
Organizer
Samantha Rahl
Organizer
West Bend, WI