On June 4th, 2025, Ashlee and Chris gave birth to their third child, Cameron. Though the pregnancy was overall healthy, Ashlee started to develop/show signs of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension. At 37 weeks, Ashlee needed to give birth not only to protect herself from any harm, but also her unborn child.

After delivering Cameron via C-section, it was discovered he had a "true knot" in his umbilical cord. Although a true knot is rare, it can lead to serious complications for the fetus, including reduced oxygen and nutrient supply, fetal distress, and even stillbirth or brain damage. Cameron was not born with any of these. Cameron did require CPAP after birth after he swallowed some amniotic fluid, but recovered quickly and was able to be taken off 30 minutes later.

Following the C-section, Ashlee was moved to the PACU, where she would need to be monitored for post-delivery hemorrhage for 2 hours. Once given clearance, they were able to move upstairs to the room where they would recover for the duration of their hospital stay.

Four hours after moving upstairs, Ashlee began to hemorrhage, and she lost a total of 2300L of blood. After a failed attempt to remove the blood clot manually, she was rushed back to the OR, where she would undergo a D&C. At this point, Ashlee's body could not endure anymore, and Rapid Response was called. Due to the quick nature of the response team, Ashlee was able to make a full recovery.

After 4 days in the hospital, it was time for Cameron and his parents to go home and for their other 2 sons to meet their newest brother. After 2 days of being home, Cameron started showing signs of lethargy, dehydration, and dry diapers. It became harder and harder to arouse Cameron. Ashlee and Chris rushed 6-day-old Cameron to the Children's Hospital, where he underwent multiple tests, was put on numerous IV fluids for rehydration, and had to have an ECHO of his heart and ended up needing an NG feeding tube for calorie support. This was not only stressful for the family but devastating due to the uncertainty of the situation. Chris and Ashlee were also separated from their other 2 children for yet another week.

It was finally declared that Cameron did not have any infection that led to his hospitalization, but due to being born early, he was not quite sure how to suck, swallow, and breathe while eating. This, unfortunately, led to his dehydration and decline. With therapy while in the hospital, he was finally learning how to drink from the bottle, followed by the use of the NG tube when he would become exhausted and needed to finish his caloric intake. During this time, Cameron's ECHO had finally come back, which showed he had 2 small holes in his heart and would require another ECHO at 6 months of age.

Cameron was starting to make great progress and was released home with weight monitoring and an NG tube. With Ashlee on Maternity leave and still recovering, the medical bills have begun to stack up from both the birth and the ER/Children's Hospital stay. The increase in economic hardship, and only Chris working and getting paid, has left the financial support solely on his shoulders. This includes medical bills, mortgage, utilities, groceries, diapers, formula, follow-up clinic visits such as GI monitoring and weight checks, and postpartum monitoring.

Ashlee and Chris would like to extend a warm thank you to those who can help provide financial support to alleviate some of the financial burden during this challenging time.

donations will help cover the cost left on us to pay after insurance.

With much love,

Ashlee and Chris Amborn