Tiny Aleah was born premature in July 2015 with so many obstacles in her way. You see, near the end of the second trimester doctors realized that Aleah was only 1 lb 5.5 oz. At first it didn’t look like anything to worry about, after all some babies are naturally small and due dates can be off by as much as two weeks. Aside from that the ultrasounds showed no no anomalies to indicate any real danger. Other than her tiny size she seemed perfectly healthy. Still, Mom and Dad were told to return for weekly updates, just to be sure.
After a handful of tests there wasn’t much change in Aleah’s size, and Mom was asked to spend the night at the hospital for observation. Very early the next morning doctors entered the room to tell Mom and Dad their baby needed to be taken immediately. Apparently Aleah’s heart rate had been struggling to stay within the perfect range throughout the night, often plummeting all at once and then fighting to climb back up.
Delivery went fast and when Aleah was out in the world the doctors finally found the answer to her tiny size: the umbilical cord was no bigger than a shoestring. Nutrients had not been getting from Mom to Aleah in the womb.
The doctors have determined, as well, that Aleah has down syndrome. This came as a shock, of course, but despite it all the parents are excited for the challenge of raising such a special girl. Aleah will remain in hospital for at least three months, and so long as she meets all of the right milestones in time she will be able to go home after that. This long stay and the future uncertainties means expenses are going to begin piling up, and there’s really no way to know for sure when they’ll stop. All donations will be gifted to the family for their needs ranging from medical bills, basic necessities for Aleah, and even to traveling expenses as they go back and forth from the hospital, home, and work over the next three months.
To end this long note I wanted to give an early thank you to anyone who decides to donate! You are wonderful! Anything at all is a blessing at this time, and will definitely reduce some of the stress on new Mom and Dad. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
UPDATE: After three months and some odd days Aleah was finally able to go home!
After a handful of tests there wasn’t much change in Aleah’s size, and Mom was asked to spend the night at the hospital for observation. Very early the next morning doctors entered the room to tell Mom and Dad their baby needed to be taken immediately. Apparently Aleah’s heart rate had been struggling to stay within the perfect range throughout the night, often plummeting all at once and then fighting to climb back up.
Delivery went fast and when Aleah was out in the world the doctors finally found the answer to her tiny size: the umbilical cord was no bigger than a shoestring. Nutrients had not been getting from Mom to Aleah in the womb.
The doctors have determined, as well, that Aleah has down syndrome. This came as a shock, of course, but despite it all the parents are excited for the challenge of raising such a special girl. Aleah will remain in hospital for at least three months, and so long as she meets all of the right milestones in time she will be able to go home after that. This long stay and the future uncertainties means expenses are going to begin piling up, and there’s really no way to know for sure when they’ll stop. All donations will be gifted to the family for their needs ranging from medical bills, basic necessities for Aleah, and even to traveling expenses as they go back and forth from the hospital, home, and work over the next three months.
To end this long note I wanted to give an early thank you to anyone who decides to donate! You are wonderful! Anything at all is a blessing at this time, and will definitely reduce some of the stress on new Mom and Dad. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
UPDATE: After three months and some odd days Aleah was finally able to go home!