Help support Maris and Josh’s fight for baby Hallie

Hi, everyone. My name is Aubrey Hill and I am the doula for Maris Hanna + Josh Herdt.

On Sunday morning, April 14th, Maris was rushed in for an emergency C-Section to deliver her full-term daughter, Hallie.

Maris had been concerned leading up to this unexpected event when she hadn't felt her baby move for a couple of hours, despite being able to still hear a heartbeat using an at-home doppler. She called her MD and was advised to come in to the hospital to get checked.

Medical staff were trying everything to get baby Hallie moving while in utero by having Maris drink juice, using IV fluids and repositioning. This went on for a couple of hours. Maris was hooked up to a monitoring device to record both her and Hallie’s heartbeats, and also to keep track of any movement from Hallie. Hallie's heartbeat was normal at this time, her movements were not. At some point, staff began to notice that Hallie’s heartbeat and Maris’s heartbeat "were in sync". This is an indication that the monitor may have only been recording Maris’s heart at that time, while losing Hallie's.

Maris had an ultrasound and found baby Hallie was without a heartbeat. An emergency C-Section was performed. They were able to deliver Hallie quickly, but unfortunately, the NICU team had to resuscitate her for 20 minutes in order to regain a heart rhythm. Maris also lost a significant amount of blood, resulting in multiple blood transfusions.

(We were later informed that Maris’s placenta had detached at some point. This was not indicated by any symptoms other than the lack of movement and ultimately a heartbeat from Hallie)

Hallie was immediately placed on a ventilator and cooling system to lower her body temperature in order to preserve as much brain function as possible since they're unaware of how long she was without oxygen and a heartbeat. The next 72 hours are critical.

Maris and Josh also have a 4 year old son, Ashton, at home whom they also need to care for during this tragic time.

Throughout the next days and months, there will be added financial stress on top of the constant worry/grief about their little family. With time off of work for Josh, medical expenses, food, and more, I am hoping to raise enough money so they can put all of their love and energy into their sweet Hallie and Ashton without the fear of financial burden.

All funds will go to the family. Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support.