Help Micro Premie, Ella and Family
Donation protected
Eleanor "Ella" Wilken
24 week 1 day, Micro Premie
Defying All Odds
Here is her birth story:
On July 3rd, 2021
Vanessa got off her 12 hour shift work day as a travel nurse and, climbed into her Jeep and felt a trickle, and thought maybe she had peed her pants.
As this being her first pregnancy, and at 21 weeks pregnant, had no clue what had just happened. After making it home, the leaking continued and she realized thus was far from normal. She took herself to Baptist East Medical Center, Emergency .
After about a 3 minute wait, being wheeled back and tested,she got the shocking news. The nurse informed her, her water had broken.
What was happening is called Preterm -Premature Rupture Of Membranes P-PROM. It occurs randomly in less than 3 % of Pregnancies, and in this case, had no known cause.
Meanwhile Vanessa had to be admitted and her husband Brennan, as an Air Force reservist, had just left on a overseas deployment. He was flown home by the Red Cross!
72 hours passed and both Vanessa and Ella's heart beat were going strong. At that point, the best option for Vanessa and Ella was to be transferred under the care of her OB at Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham until she delivered.
Vanessa was on strict bedrest for a total of 18 days. At 23 weeks she received Steroid Injections to protect Ella's lungs. At 24 weeks she received IV magnesium sulfate drip, which is excruciatingly painful, to protect Ella's brain. Ella stayed in there long enough to " reach viability" and get all the meds she needed.
She is a fighter like her mama! On July 21st, gestation of 24 weeks and 1 day, she was born weighing 1 pound 4oz, and 11.5inches. They call premature babies born at this Gestation, a Micro Premie.
When Ella was born, there were about 30 people (nurses and doctors) in the room, they moved with lightning speed and determination to save Ella's life. She was intubated and rushed off to the NICU.
Vanessa had to stay back due to complications from her placenta and not walking for 18 days. She wasn't cleared to see Ella until she was able to walk, about 2 hours after Ella's was born.
Ella has been in the NICU now for 7 days. Ella has a long journey ahead, and continues to show the world all she can do. She is progressing each and every day.
Brennan has been an amazing support for Vanessa and Ella.
With Ella having to be in the NICU for an extended period of time, naturally they made the decision to move to Birmingham to be close to Ella. With these unexpected events occurring, the loss of Vanessa's income, this amazing family is in need of our help!
Anyone who knows Vanessa and Brennan knows what an amazing people they are. Vanessa is incredibly kind, selfless, strong and would give her last cent to anyone in need. Brennan is the type of person that would drive hours out of his way so he can come change your oil and fix things around your house without ever expecting anything out of it. You're having a bad day?- Expect to get food delivered to you so you don't have to worry about dinner that night. These are the type of people that Vanessa and Brennan are-
In this difficult time, this is where we, their tribe, come in and takes their financial burdens off of their shoulders, so they can focus on whats most important, Baby Ella.
All funds donated will automatically deposited directly into the Wilken's bank account and used for medical expenses, and unexpected loss of income.
As Vanessa continues to make updates on baby Ella on her Facebook page, I will do the same here.
Thank you to everyone for your support in this difficult time and let's keep this family in you're prayers!
24 week 1 day, Micro Premie
Defying All Odds
Here is her birth story:
On July 3rd, 2021
Vanessa got off her 12 hour shift work day as a travel nurse and, climbed into her Jeep and felt a trickle, and thought maybe she had peed her pants.
As this being her first pregnancy, and at 21 weeks pregnant, had no clue what had just happened. After making it home, the leaking continued and she realized thus was far from normal. She took herself to Baptist East Medical Center, Emergency .
After about a 3 minute wait, being wheeled back and tested,she got the shocking news. The nurse informed her, her water had broken.
What was happening is called Preterm -Premature Rupture Of Membranes P-PROM. It occurs randomly in less than 3 % of Pregnancies, and in this case, had no known cause.
Meanwhile Vanessa had to be admitted and her husband Brennan, as an Air Force reservist, had just left on a overseas deployment. He was flown home by the Red Cross!
72 hours passed and both Vanessa and Ella's heart beat were going strong. At that point, the best option for Vanessa and Ella was to be transferred under the care of her OB at Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham until she delivered.
Vanessa was on strict bedrest for a total of 18 days. At 23 weeks she received Steroid Injections to protect Ella's lungs. At 24 weeks she received IV magnesium sulfate drip, which is excruciatingly painful, to protect Ella's brain. Ella stayed in there long enough to " reach viability" and get all the meds she needed.
She is a fighter like her mama! On July 21st, gestation of 24 weeks and 1 day, she was born weighing 1 pound 4oz, and 11.5inches. They call premature babies born at this Gestation, a Micro Premie.
When Ella was born, there were about 30 people (nurses and doctors) in the room, they moved with lightning speed and determination to save Ella's life. She was intubated and rushed off to the NICU.
Vanessa had to stay back due to complications from her placenta and not walking for 18 days. She wasn't cleared to see Ella until she was able to walk, about 2 hours after Ella's was born.
Ella has been in the NICU now for 7 days. Ella has a long journey ahead, and continues to show the world all she can do. She is progressing each and every day.
Brennan has been an amazing support for Vanessa and Ella.
With Ella having to be in the NICU for an extended period of time, naturally they made the decision to move to Birmingham to be close to Ella. With these unexpected events occurring, the loss of Vanessa's income, this amazing family is in need of our help!
Anyone who knows Vanessa and Brennan knows what an amazing people they are. Vanessa is incredibly kind, selfless, strong and would give her last cent to anyone in need. Brennan is the type of person that would drive hours out of his way so he can come change your oil and fix things around your house without ever expecting anything out of it. You're having a bad day?- Expect to get food delivered to you so you don't have to worry about dinner that night. These are the type of people that Vanessa and Brennan are-
In this difficult time, this is where we, their tribe, come in and takes their financial burdens off of their shoulders, so they can focus on whats most important, Baby Ella.
All funds donated will automatically deposited directly into the Wilken's bank account and used for medical expenses, and unexpected loss of income.
As Vanessa continues to make updates on baby Ella on her Facebook page, I will do the same here.
Thank you to everyone for your support in this difficult time and let's keep this family in you're prayers!
Organizer and beneficiary
Wendy Foreman
Organizer
Chesapeake, VA
Brennan Wilken
Beneficiary