Dear family and friends,

We have been holding on to a secret for quite some time now!

WE’RE EXPECTING A BABYGIRL

We would’ve announced this sooner, but due to unexpected complications we had decided it was best until we got more answers. Sadly, these answers led us here.

So.. here’s our story:

Easter Day we found out we were EGG-specting! We went through the emotions every first time parent experiences.. the fear, the excitement, the ups, the downs, the all arounds.

But what we didn’t know is that the unexpected didn’t stop there.

The couple pictured was so excited for this next chapter of their lives and couldn’t wait to announce the news about welcoming our little one into the world..

But that all changed July 29th.

Unfortunately, our nightmare began when we went for our anatomy scan that day. The results showed that our lil one had issues fully growing the lower left arm limb, so it is shorter than normal; there also appears to only be one bone that developed there, and on the viewing of the 3D ultrasound she appears to have a cleft hand as well. There was nothing we could do about that as the limbs were already fully developed at this point.

Brain development looked all perfectly normal along with organs, blood flow, etc

Heart beat was, and still is, at 158 (which is good), but she is weighing 3 weeks behind so they diagnosed her as an IUGR baby which means she isn’t growing in size like she’s supposed to be at her gestational age which can lead to problems like: birthing complications, respiratory issues, neurological issues, etc. (look it up for more information).

But what they were really worried about is that scans showed a severely recessed chin, which is called Micrognathia. This raised questions on the development of the trachea and if she was going to have difficulties breathing when born. An MRI confirmed these concerns to be actual, so we’ve had to meet with surgeons and other specialist to discuss our birthing options.

They decided her best option is what’s called an Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment (EXIT) procedure. This procedure is a special technique where baby is partially delivered through an incision while remaining attached to the placenta. Anesthesia keeps the uterus soft and relaxed, which allows the placenta to continue to work. The procedure preserves uteroplacental gas exchange so that baby can continue to receive oxygen and nutrients from mom while the surgical team works to establish an airway that will permit babygirl to breathe and obtain oxygen once delivered.

To establish this airway they will first attempt inserting a breathing tube, but if that is unable to fit they will have to preform a tracheotomy.

Just when we thought things couldn’t get any more scary and complicated our specialist discovered an abnormality in the blood flow in the umbilical cord which means my placenta is giving out (this could explain the fetal growth restriction).

Being that I’m 28 weeks and she is already falling behind on growth this puts her at an even higher risk.

Especially since the placenta is what was going to provide her oxygen during the EXIT procedure.

So as of right now, we are going every week to check on her growth, movement, blood flow, the amniotic fluid, etc, and trying to allow her to stay with mommy as long as she can to give her a better chance.

Unfortunately, doctors don’t know how long the placenta will let that happen for, so we can be having babygirl any week now and we are not in the least bit prepared!!

[I’ve also recently been informed that I have gestational diabetes just to sprinkle that on top of everything]

I discussed a registry and a baby shower with our surgeon this week to figure out what we even need for her to come home, but she looked at us and told us our best option is to wait until after she’s born. So, we decided our “baby shower” will be a donation center to help us get prepared for any expenses, whether that’s for the surgery’s and needed equipment, or a proper way to lay our sweet girl to rest..

We’re not normally ones to ask for help, but this is becoming too much for us to handle on our own.

Just know that ANY-thing will be appreciated more than words can ever explain.

In the meantime,

We just ask that you please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we begin this journey of the unknown and every parents worst nightmare.

We just want our babygirl to be happy, not to suffer, and to know she’s loved by SO many.

If you know me and Tyler you know this baby is born to be a fighter

I also want to thank our amazing support system of family, friends, and doctors. We couldn’t do this without y’all

We love each and every one of y’all❤️

And to our sweet lil bb- mommy and daddy love you so much. We wish more than anything that we could trade places with you. You bring a different kind of love to our lives and we are so beyond thankful for every single moment we have with you

We will get through this! Keep fighting Babygirl