My beautiful, strong sister Alissa Marshall was pregnant with twins and unexpectedly went into labor on September 2nd at 27 weeks.
Weeks earlier, at her 12 week scan, Alissa and her husband Bobby were told that one of their babies (Willa) had a genetic condition that was identified as Turners Syndrome. Willa’s sister Audrey appeared healthy. The doctors had prepared Alissa and Bobby for the possibility that Willa may not make it to birth, but it still came as a shock and heartbreak when they found out her heart had stopped beating at 24 weeks.
After going to the hospital on September 2nd with what Alissa thought were Braxton Hicks, she found out that she was in active labor. She was taken by ambulance to a hospital 45 minutes away where they had a NICU to support this tiny life. “Willa” means “valiant protector” and she truly was Audrey’s protector as her positioning held Audrey from dropping into the birthing canal for over 24 hours - just long enough to get the steroid shots she needed for her lungs before birth.
Audrey was born on September 4th weighing 2lbs 3oz. She will stay in the NICU for the next 13 weeks. They will monitor her closely and hope that she will continue to develop normally. Alissa and Bobby just moved from North Carolina to Texas and have been staying with family while they find their own housing. During Audrey’s hospital stay Alissa, Bobby and their 1 year old son Lawson will be staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Alissa will be off work for the next several months at a minimum and Bobby is currently a stay at home Dad.
Not only is this a trying time for them emotionally, but also financially. Between medical bills, lost income, and travel expenses to and from the hospital, along with having to find new housing in a new city, their family can use all the help they can get!
Weeks earlier, at her 12 week scan, Alissa and her husband Bobby were told that one of their babies (Willa) had a genetic condition that was identified as Turners Syndrome. Willa’s sister Audrey appeared healthy. The doctors had prepared Alissa and Bobby for the possibility that Willa may not make it to birth, but it still came as a shock and heartbreak when they found out her heart had stopped beating at 24 weeks.
After going to the hospital on September 2nd with what Alissa thought were Braxton Hicks, she found out that she was in active labor. She was taken by ambulance to a hospital 45 minutes away where they had a NICU to support this tiny life. “Willa” means “valiant protector” and she truly was Audrey’s protector as her positioning held Audrey from dropping into the birthing canal for over 24 hours - just long enough to get the steroid shots she needed for her lungs before birth.
Audrey was born on September 4th weighing 2lbs 3oz. She will stay in the NICU for the next 13 weeks. They will monitor her closely and hope that she will continue to develop normally. Alissa and Bobby just moved from North Carolina to Texas and have been staying with family while they find their own housing. During Audrey’s hospital stay Alissa, Bobby and their 1 year old son Lawson will be staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Alissa will be off work for the next several months at a minimum and Bobby is currently a stay at home Dad.
Not only is this a trying time for them emotionally, but also financially. Between medical bills, lost income, and travel expenses to and from the hospital, along with having to find new housing in a new city, their family can use all the help they can get!
Organizer and beneficiary
Alissa Marshall
Beneficiary