Help for Baby Girl Martins Arrival

We are reaching out in a time of need for love, prayers and support. On Saturday April 2nd, Amanda, who is 26 weeks pregnant was rushed to the emergency room. Her water bag broke prematurely which put her and the baby in high risk so she was transferred by ambulance to Banner Thunderbird Hospital. She was admitted into the Antepartum Department where she needs to stay for the remainder of the pregnancy. Her Amniotic Fluid Index is less than 1 and though we are thankful she has not started dilating yet, she is at high risk for infection and premature delivery. The goal is to keep baby girl in as long as possible so the baby has a better survival rate. They are living day by day and the doctors update her as to what they are looking at if the baby was born in this particular week. The long-term goal is to make it to 34 weeks but every day is a gift.

This is going to be a long difficult and emotional journey for the Martins. Amanda being hospitalized for a couple months worrying about her unborn child also means she is away from Charlie who is only 7 months old. That adds a whole additional emotional toll as Charlie is in his impressionable developmental stage right now. Add to that the medical bills for her lengthy stay, the NICU stay for the baby when she is born, special equipment that the baby will need, traveling back and forth to the hospital all while trying to care for their other kids. Merrick is 8 and Addison is 6 and although the grandparents on both sides are helping how they can, they is no replacement for the kids’ parents.

Mike will be needing to take a leave of absence from work and school in order to take on all child care, home care and daily visits to the hospital. This is no easy task especially when he is worried for the wellbeing of Amanda and his unborn daughter as well. We want to help the Martin’s in every way possible to alleviate as much stress as we can. Besides lots of prayers we are asking for support and donations to help with excessive medical bills, loss of income and equipment/supplies that will be needed. They have been told that in addition to the baby having a long stay in the NICU after she is born she will have other challenges as well. This will include frequent doctor’s appointments, therapy, testing and procedures. Thank you for your love and support!