NICU fund for baby River
Donation protected
Last Wednesday my sister-in-law (and best friend ♀️) Brittany Kauffman (BK) was rushed to the hospital by ambulance due to severe bleeding at only 30 weeks pregnant. At 3:08am on Thursday, August 10th our sweet little warrior girl, River Kinlee McNaughton, entered the world 10 weeks early following a very traumatic birth. She weighed 3lbs 3oz.
After attempting to go the vaginal birth route via induction, as she had already done with her first two babies, BK’s bleeding suddenly became so severe that she was passing out due to blood loss. There was no choice but to get the baby out ASAP, and she was rushed into the OR for an emergency c-section. Due to placenta previa, BK had suffered a placental abruption and almost bled to death as a result. Overall she lost 3.5 liters of blood and had to have 4 blood transfusions.
Baby River was immediately rushed from Willamette Falls hospital to St. Vincent’s NICU unit, with dad in tow.
It took a full day for BK to be transferred to St. Vincent’s and reunited with my brother and their new baby. Physically, she’s still very much recovering and will likely be in the hospital for at least a couple weeks. Emotionally she’s struggling with some PTSD and the innate maternal need to hold and care for her child in a way that just isn’t possible with a baby in the NICU.
River is doing as well as can be expected. She’s a strong and beautiful LITTLE baby! We still can’t agree on whether she looks more like her big brother or big sister, but she definitely fits right in. She will likely spend the first couple months of her life in the NICU.
Robbie and BK also have two other little ones to consider in all of this. Their oldest, Tanner, is 5 and will be starting kindergarten in a few short weeks. Summer, the former baby of the family, is 3 and about to begin her first full year of part-time preschool. Currently they are being cared for by various members of Robbie and BK’s immediate families. We are all trying to keep things as normal for them as we possibly can. They have gone to visit mom and dad at the hospital, and this morning they got to meet their baby sister for the first time!
There are absolutely no words to describe how thankful we are that both BK and baby River made it out of this ordeal, and both are still here getting healthier everyday. The gravity of this situation…how it could’ve turned out…how it does turn out for some, isn’t lost on anyone involved. Let’s just say, we won’t stop counting our blessings anytime soon! We are also very lucky to have the family dynamics that we do. Everyone has rallied together to keep each other informed and to do whatever we can to help Robbie & BK (and the kids) during this difficult and trying time.
BK’s mom Debbie and I decided to set this up as a means to help lessen the added stress and financial burden of all that is yet to come. Nobody should have to go through this. As two of the people closest to them it has been hard to watch this all unfold knowing that they weren’t even close to being ready or prepared for all of this yet. Now, on top of everything else going on, they have no source of income for the time being due to the aforementioned circumstances.
We mainly created this as a way for friends and family who have asked what the family needs or who have offered to help, to do so. But to anyone who sees this and feels compelled to help in any way, it’s greatly appreciated.
Any monetary donations will be used towards mortgage payment, bills, gas/transportation (they live in Estacada and the hospital is in Beaverton), and temporary hospital housing, if it comes available.
We have also included a link to their baby registry, as baby River decided to arrive a week and a half before moms baby shower was supposed to take place:
If you would prefer to make a personal donation outside of this Gofundme page, please reach out to Debbie or Cayte and we can facilitate that.
The family extends their deepest gratitude and appreciation for any and all donations, gifts, and/or well wishes sent their way!
Organizer
Debbie Tobin
Organizer
Estacada, OR