Please consider helping us support our friend recover from complications after delivering her baby.
Heidi and Derek Short are the proud parents of 4 children. By summer of 2017 they had 2 beautiful daughters and a son. They thought their family was complete and in their yard sale that summer they sold all of their baby stuff. However, as it turned out, their family was not done growing, and the Lord blessed them with an unexpected pregnancy in February 2018. Heidi and Derek were excited about this unexpected gift from the Lord. They planned to welcome this new one into their home with joy. Friends and family supported them, and they received all the needed baby supplies. All of Heidi’s previous pregnancies were without complications and arrived naturally fairly quickly. So with a fourth child, she expected a smooth delivery.
The Unexpected
However, as her due date began to near, Heidi started feeling as she described “off”. She felt she was not able to think clearly and became confused. This eventually led to her becoming so confused and disoriented that she was taken to the ER and admitted to the behavioral health unit. Prior to this, Heidi had not suffered from any debilitating mental health issues. This experience was new and very scary for her. Heidi was given a diagnosis of pregnancy induced psychosis, as well as a diagnosis of stage-2 adrenal fatigue. It was thought that once she had the baby her hormones would balance back out, and she would return to herself. Sadly, it didn’t turn out that way.
Joy & Sadness
24 hours prior to labor, Heidi’s mind did clear, and she looked and acted like her herself. On Oct 29th Heidi delivered, Joshua Aaron Short, a strong healthy boy. She welcomed him in with Joy. However, 24 hours after delivery, the psychosis returned worse than ever. During the first 3 weeks of her baby’s life she was hospitalized and only home for 4 days, all while her husband and 3 kids were home with the newborn baby. As you can imagine, this became a nightmare for their family. The joy of bringing home their baby and bonding as a family of 6 was stolen from them. Heidi’s husband, Derek, stepped in to be not only dad, but mom and caretaker of Heidi, all while trying to maintain his job and all the family needs. To say the least, it has been overwhelming for them all.
A Postpartum Doula
Thankfully, they learned about a postpartum doula service. A doula, trained in postpartum, comes to the home and provides assistance to the mother. Due to the generosity of a family member, they have been receiving this service since November. Their doula comes to the home daily and assists Heidi in her recovery and helps with any household needs such as cleaning, childcare, grocery shopping, etc. This service was a God send and lifesaving. The service has provided Heidi, Derek, and the kids a great measure of stability and routine in this time of uncertainty. But as of March 31, the funding for this service will be coming to an end.
Recovery
In time, Heidi is expected to make a full recovery. She is working with her doctors and therapist and doing all that she can to heal. Over the last 5 months, sometimes it has been 1 step forward and 2 steps back. Though she has made some improvements, each day is still a struggle, and she is not yet able to care for her children on her own and relies greatly on the help of her doula. At this point in time we feel having the support of the doula is still crucial to Heidi’s recovery and have concerns that her condition could worsen with a possible relapse if doula support is not continued. Would you please consider helping Heidi keep their doula support?
Your Help Is Needed
Continuing doula support is a key part to Heidi’s recovery. The average monthly cost of this service is $5,000 for basic coverage while Derek is at work. Any amount you can contribute would greatly help. Please know that the family will be forever grateful for your support!
Anyone who knows Heidi, knows her smile. Her smile is so big that it lights up a room. Help us help Heidi get her smile back.
We pray the Lord richly blesses you as you give! Thank You!
Heidi and Derek Short are the proud parents of 4 children. By summer of 2017 they had 2 beautiful daughters and a son. They thought their family was complete and in their yard sale that summer they sold all of their baby stuff. However, as it turned out, their family was not done growing, and the Lord blessed them with an unexpected pregnancy in February 2018. Heidi and Derek were excited about this unexpected gift from the Lord. They planned to welcome this new one into their home with joy. Friends and family supported them, and they received all the needed baby supplies. All of Heidi’s previous pregnancies were without complications and arrived naturally fairly quickly. So with a fourth child, she expected a smooth delivery.
The Unexpected
However, as her due date began to near, Heidi started feeling as she described “off”. She felt she was not able to think clearly and became confused. This eventually led to her becoming so confused and disoriented that she was taken to the ER and admitted to the behavioral health unit. Prior to this, Heidi had not suffered from any debilitating mental health issues. This experience was new and very scary for her. Heidi was given a diagnosis of pregnancy induced psychosis, as well as a diagnosis of stage-2 adrenal fatigue. It was thought that once she had the baby her hormones would balance back out, and she would return to herself. Sadly, it didn’t turn out that way.
Joy & Sadness
24 hours prior to labor, Heidi’s mind did clear, and she looked and acted like her herself. On Oct 29th Heidi delivered, Joshua Aaron Short, a strong healthy boy. She welcomed him in with Joy. However, 24 hours after delivery, the psychosis returned worse than ever. During the first 3 weeks of her baby’s life she was hospitalized and only home for 4 days, all while her husband and 3 kids were home with the newborn baby. As you can imagine, this became a nightmare for their family. The joy of bringing home their baby and bonding as a family of 6 was stolen from them. Heidi’s husband, Derek, stepped in to be not only dad, but mom and caretaker of Heidi, all while trying to maintain his job and all the family needs. To say the least, it has been overwhelming for them all.
A Postpartum Doula
Thankfully, they learned about a postpartum doula service. A doula, trained in postpartum, comes to the home and provides assistance to the mother. Due to the generosity of a family member, they have been receiving this service since November. Their doula comes to the home daily and assists Heidi in her recovery and helps with any household needs such as cleaning, childcare, grocery shopping, etc. This service was a God send and lifesaving. The service has provided Heidi, Derek, and the kids a great measure of stability and routine in this time of uncertainty. But as of March 31, the funding for this service will be coming to an end.
Recovery
In time, Heidi is expected to make a full recovery. She is working with her doctors and therapist and doing all that she can to heal. Over the last 5 months, sometimes it has been 1 step forward and 2 steps back. Though she has made some improvements, each day is still a struggle, and she is not yet able to care for her children on her own and relies greatly on the help of her doula. At this point in time we feel having the support of the doula is still crucial to Heidi’s recovery and have concerns that her condition could worsen with a possible relapse if doula support is not continued. Would you please consider helping Heidi keep their doula support?
Your Help Is Needed
Continuing doula support is a key part to Heidi’s recovery. The average monthly cost of this service is $5,000 for basic coverage while Derek is at work. Any amount you can contribute would greatly help. Please know that the family will be forever grateful for your support!
Anyone who knows Heidi, knows her smile. Her smile is so big that it lights up a room. Help us help Heidi get her smile back.
We pray the Lord richly blesses you as you give! Thank You!
Organizer and beneficiary
Cindy Martin
Organizer
Mechanicsburg, PA
Derek Short
Beneficiary