Easing the Burden for Krista Miller (& Baby Jed)

Trigger Warning - Pregnancy Difficulties

I got a call about 9 weeks ago from my cousin Krista, she was sobbing. She had just left her anatomy scan, at 20 weeks pregnant she found out she had a severe medical condition called Vasa Previa. Instantly, we googled it and realized it was a rare condition that occurred in only .04% of pregnancies. We read that it meant the blood vessels from the umbilical cord were outside of the placenta, unprotected and were covering her cervix. If they were to rupture, the risk to her baby and possibly her, was bleeding out. She was terrified, we all were and still are.

Thankfully, she was able to get into an MFM (Maternal Fetal Med) doc and get some answers. She found out she had to decrease the time she spent on her feet to lessen the risk of rupture, which as a bartender was nearly impossible. She went down to working 2 days/week immediately. By 28 weeks she had to stop working altogether. She looked into options for support through her job, short term disability, and any state help, which didn't result in much as she didn't qualify for any of it. She also found out that at 30 weeks, she will have to move into the hospital for a month or two because if she went into labor naturally beforehand, she’d likely lose the baby and possibly her life as well from blood loss. She will stay in the hospital until her c-section, with the blood bank ready, between 34-36 weeks. Her dream of an all-natural labor is no longer, as if she were to have unknowingly gone that route, more than about 60% of babies are born stillborn.

If you've ever been fortunate enough to get pregnant, you know even if it's smooth sailing, it can be incredibly stressful. If you've ever had a loved one who you supported during pregnancy, you know it's hard enough when there's nothing "extra" to be concerned about. I cannot imagine the stress Krista and her partner Todd are experiencing. My goal with this GoFundMe is to ease their financial burden so as not to add anything additional to stress about. I, for one, can say without literal months of work, we would struggle to pay our bills. Considering the additional expenses around any trips to and from the hospital for Todd to visit, any potential NICU stay after the c-section and of course the added financial stressors of just simply having a child, I ask for your support. Whether you are able to support financially or simply by sharing this post to spread the word, it would be GREATLY appreciated. Krista heads into the hospital next week, so at the very least, please send love, prayers and good vibes her way! Thank you for your consideration!