Savannah’s Story

What was meant to be a beautiful, empowering VBAC birth quickly turned into a nightmare no parent could ever imagine.

In a sudden and catastrophic turn of events, Savannah’s mother suffered both a uterine rupture and a placental abruption, a combination considered especially dangerous and life-threatening. Within moments, the room shifted from anticipation to emergency. Two parents watched in horror as their daughter was delivered lifeless onto the table, without a heartbeat, while doctors rushed to perform lifesaving resuscitation.

Savannah’s fight began before she ever took her first breath.

After resuscitation, she was immediately rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Doctors were unsure how long she had gone without oxygen, placing her at extreme risk for severe brain injury. She underwent intensive treatment, including therapeutic cooling, a time-sensitive intervention used to help protect the brain following oxygen deprivation.

During those early days, updates from the medical team were uncertain and often heartbreaking. An MRI revealed five severe injuries involving the basal ganglia, and there was little reassurance about what the days ahead might hold.

Then, Savannah did something no one expected.

Despite the severity of her injuries, doctors began to witness what they described as remarkable progress far beyond what they would typically anticipate given her MRI findings. Savannah continued to surprise everyone caring for her. She was successfully taken off her breathing tube and began breathing on her own, a major milestone in her recovery.

One of the most important goals ahead was Savannah’s ability to eat and swallow. While feeding remains a challenge, Savannah has made meaningful progress. She now feeds using a combination of bottles and a feeding tube, allowing her to receive the nutrition she needs while continuing to build strength and coordination.

After weeks of intensive care, Savannah reached another major milestone. She was discharged from the hospital and is now home with her family.

While this moment brought immense relief and gratitude, Savannah’s journey is far from over. Her care remains ongoing, and her long-term outcomes are still unknown. She will continue to require close medical monitoring, follow-up appointments, therapies, and specialized care as doctors work to better understand how her early injuries may impact her development.

Throughout this journey, Savannah’s parents have been navigating overwhelming responsibilities. They have spent countless hours traveling nearly one hour each way to be by her side, while also caring for their three-year-old child and supporting recovery from major surgery. The emotional weight of these months has been immense.

On top of that, the financial strain continues to grow. Costs related to medical care, travel, lodging, meals, lost income, and ongoing therapies add up quickly, and not all expenses are fully covered by insurance.

This GoFundMe has been created with an initial goal of $35,000 to help ease that burden and support Savannah’s family as they continue this journey. Because Savannah’s care plan is still evolving and her long-term needs remain uncertain, this goal may be adjusted as her medical needs become clearer.

If the full amount is not needed for direct family expenses, any remaining funds will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House of Portland, Maine, whose support has been invaluable to families facing prolonged hospital stays.

We are deeply grateful for every prayer, message, and act of kindness. Savannah’s strength has already inspired so many, and while the road ahead remains uncertain, she is surrounded by love, resilience, and hope.

Any amount helps. Whether through donating or sharing, your support means more than words can express.

Thank you for standing with Savannah and her family.