- C
Stella
Born via emergency C Section at 25 weeks
June 20, 2015 at 3:46 am
Weighing: 1 pound 1 ounce
Considered a micro preemie
Stella's Story:
Baby Stella's journey began January 25, 2015 when proud parents, Blair and Shane, found out they were expecting their first child. Though ecstatic over the growing baby in the belly, the next 6 months proved to be difficult and nothing at all what these first time parents expected. Shane bled on and off through out the pregnancy, starting at two weeks in and after a miscarriage 6 months prior, anticipation was heightened. This rough start led to many doctors visits, calls to the triage nurses late at night, on and off bed rest, visits to the High Risk Women's Clinic, 11+ ultrasounds and eventually a few overnights in the hospital. After very close watch, Stella was considered a high risk baby and was considered to be a few weeks behind in growth. The doctors were concerned that she was not able to get the nutrients she needed, in the womb. As a result of this, they didn't believe that Stella would be able to be carried to full term. June 13, 2015, five months along - Mom to be ended up in an overnight stay in the hospital for another bout of bleeding and was watched closely. Before release she was given two steroid shots to help with Stella's premature lungs and a week later, this proved to be a life saving moment. On June 18, 2015 - after another scary bleeding episode where mom and dad thought they lost their precious baby, Shane was admitted into Labor and Delivery and put on bed rest and monitored closely again. After two days in the hospital, Stella's heart rate began to drop and at 3:36 am Shane was rushed in for an emergency C-section and at 3:46 am Stella arrived to greet an anxious and proud Dad.
Stella was born at 25 weeks gestational age, weighing 1 pound and 1 ounce and considered to be a micro preemie. She has been living and growing in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at CMC Children's Levine since her arrival. So far, during her month long stay, she has overcome some big hurdles- Breathing on her own for the first 18 days before wearing herself out and being put on a ventilator, being given Neoprofen to help close a PDA in her heart, having a cranial ultrasound to check for bleeding, 2 blood transfusions so far, on and off feedings due to her stomach not being developed enough to handle moms breast milk, being given steroids to help with her lung development - And thru all that, Stella remains strong and feisty with a spunky little attitude. After 28 days, she has gained 6 ounces and will hopefully continue to thrive. She is currently on a Nova, which helps Stella remember to breathe when she forgets. She is too young to wear clothes as her skin is still developing and her teeny tiny preemie diapers are folded in half to somewhat fit her little body. She is being fed thru a feeding tube until she grows big enough to be able to eat on her own. Her eyes occasionally open but are still being formed so stay shut most of the time. The hope is that Stella will be home by her original due date which was October 2, 2015, which all depends on how Stella develops and grows. With each passing day, thru talking to other parents and information given thru support groups, Blair and Shane are learning that the adventure doesn't end when Stella is safe and sound at home. Her first year will be an important one and will most likely be spent away from friends and family and instead, at home where they can monitor germs. A common cold for a preemie could be a life or death situation as her lungs are still developing and her immune system will be weak. There is also the possibility of few years of developmental and physical therapy being needed. But regardless of what the future holds, Blair and Shane couldn't be more in love with baby Stella and are so excited for the road ahead!
Shane and Blair are amazing people and we wanted to help any and every way we could, so we started this funding to help them deal with the financial burden that comes with situations like this. We hope to relieve some of that stress, so they can focus on baby Stella! Thank you for taking the time to read their story.
Born via emergency C Section at 25 weeks
June 20, 2015 at 3:46 am
Weighing: 1 pound 1 ounce
Considered a micro preemie
Stella's Story:
Baby Stella's journey began January 25, 2015 when proud parents, Blair and Shane, found out they were expecting their first child. Though ecstatic over the growing baby in the belly, the next 6 months proved to be difficult and nothing at all what these first time parents expected. Shane bled on and off through out the pregnancy, starting at two weeks in and after a miscarriage 6 months prior, anticipation was heightened. This rough start led to many doctors visits, calls to the triage nurses late at night, on and off bed rest, visits to the High Risk Women's Clinic, 11+ ultrasounds and eventually a few overnights in the hospital. After very close watch, Stella was considered a high risk baby and was considered to be a few weeks behind in growth. The doctors were concerned that she was not able to get the nutrients she needed, in the womb. As a result of this, they didn't believe that Stella would be able to be carried to full term. June 13, 2015, five months along - Mom to be ended up in an overnight stay in the hospital for another bout of bleeding and was watched closely. Before release she was given two steroid shots to help with Stella's premature lungs and a week later, this proved to be a life saving moment. On June 18, 2015 - after another scary bleeding episode where mom and dad thought they lost their precious baby, Shane was admitted into Labor and Delivery and put on bed rest and monitored closely again. After two days in the hospital, Stella's heart rate began to drop and at 3:36 am Shane was rushed in for an emergency C-section and at 3:46 am Stella arrived to greet an anxious and proud Dad.
Stella was born at 25 weeks gestational age, weighing 1 pound and 1 ounce and considered to be a micro preemie. She has been living and growing in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at CMC Children's Levine since her arrival. So far, during her month long stay, she has overcome some big hurdles- Breathing on her own for the first 18 days before wearing herself out and being put on a ventilator, being given Neoprofen to help close a PDA in her heart, having a cranial ultrasound to check for bleeding, 2 blood transfusions so far, on and off feedings due to her stomach not being developed enough to handle moms breast milk, being given steroids to help with her lung development - And thru all that, Stella remains strong and feisty with a spunky little attitude. After 28 days, she has gained 6 ounces and will hopefully continue to thrive. She is currently on a Nova, which helps Stella remember to breathe when she forgets. She is too young to wear clothes as her skin is still developing and her teeny tiny preemie diapers are folded in half to somewhat fit her little body. She is being fed thru a feeding tube until she grows big enough to be able to eat on her own. Her eyes occasionally open but are still being formed so stay shut most of the time. The hope is that Stella will be home by her original due date which was October 2, 2015, which all depends on how Stella develops and grows. With each passing day, thru talking to other parents and information given thru support groups, Blair and Shane are learning that the adventure doesn't end when Stella is safe and sound at home. Her first year will be an important one and will most likely be spent away from friends and family and instead, at home where they can monitor germs. A common cold for a preemie could be a life or death situation as her lungs are still developing and her immune system will be weak. There is also the possibility of few years of developmental and physical therapy being needed. But regardless of what the future holds, Blair and Shane couldn't be more in love with baby Stella and are so excited for the road ahead!
Shane and Blair are amazing people and we wanted to help any and every way we could, so we started this funding to help them deal with the financial burden that comes with situations like this. We hope to relieve some of that stress, so they can focus on baby Stella! Thank you for taking the time to read their story.
Organizer and beneficiary
Shane Craig
Beneficiary