Help Jenn and Baby Holloway Receive Medical Care

As many of you have seen, Chuck and I were expecting a baby this July. Unfortunately, our son was diagnosed with Congenital High Airway Obstruction Syndrome (CHAOS). His case is severe as he has no trachea from his thoracic inlet (where the trachea would leave his chest) all the way to his mouth. If we chose intervention it would mean a full open chest surgery mid c-section before he could be disconnected from the umbilical cord to create an airway. He would likely have a trach tube for his entire life. And his lungs would not be developed correctly which would create lifelong issues. He would likely never leave a hospital and would know pain and suffering. We also learned today a cyst has developed on his brain.

I am currently 27 weeks pregnant, but because of the swelling caused by his medical conditions he’s measuring at full term size already. In fact, I have friends who’ve birthed full term babies smaller than him.

Of the few options available to us, none of them would be considered good options. Due to the overturning of Roe vs Wade and the loss of female reproductive rights in many states we are left with even fewer options. Especially here in Texas, our politicians believe his right to “life” outweighs mine and I should carry him to term. My doctors are forced to follow these laws and cannot provide any intervention despite indicating they don’t believe that is in my best interest. Most states cannot do anything for me as he’s passed the “viability threshold” even though he doesn’t actually have any viability for life.

Waiting until full term means both he and I will be MUCH bigger than usual, given he is already so much bigger than he should be. This will carry risk to my own health and future options if we decide we want to try for another baby. There’s also still a chance he could pass before we make it to term. I cannot describe to you the experience of waiting for your child to die within you just so you can receive medical care from your own doctor.

The best choice for us is to induce labor and deliver him, before he gets bigger and before my life and health become larger concerns. We have an appointment scheduled on April 16 in Maryland for induction and delivery as that is one of the few states that will provide me care since this is considered a termination.

Due to red tape in the US medical system, I cannot do this through a typical provider/hospital and have my health insurance cover any of this. Instead, the facility that will care for us does not take insurance and this is a costly process. Between the medical treatment, travel, hotel, meals, cremation, etc we’re looking at $15,000 out of pocket due the morning of my appointment. This does not include the loss of income incurred by Chuck for attending all of these appointments with me. We have applied for grants that help women in situations like mine, but have only received a small amount of funds to put towards this. We are asking for any help anyone is able to provide so that we don’t have cancel this appointment which would prolong the pain and suffering of us and our child and continuing putting my health in jeopardy.