Support Baby Brooks in the NICU

Baby Brooks came early at 34 weeks on Thursday afternoon. Abby went into a very immediate c section after arriving at the hospital dilating and in labor, with little time to prepare for the c section and no time to transfer both her and baby together safely. After he arrived he had trouble breathing, and his lungs were not developed properly. Abby did have steroid injections to help with his lungs, twice, but still they were not where they needed to be. They transported the baby down to Doctors medical center in Modesto, where he’s in the NICU. Abby was discharged yesterday, less than 24 hours after her c section because she wanted to be near baby. Abby is still trying to heal from her c section, while also trying to be there for the baby too. They have advised that Abby stay nearby to the hospital because of the travel going back and fourth a day on her body, is too much with pain management and still having her staples in. Unfortunately there is not a Ronald McDonald house available at this hospital, so we are currently paying to stay in a hotel near the hospital. The baby is expected to be in the NICU for at least a week, probably 2, but could be up to a month depending on his healing. He currently has fluid in his lungs and is having trouble pushing his own carbon dioxide out of his body. So he is on machines to help him get it out right now. He has had to be intubated more than once so far. Everything has been touch and go with him, and will be over this period of time. He does struggle to breathe at times at well, and is being closely watched. Abby still hasn’t been able to hold the baby yet, and he hasnt been stable to be fed either. They did not plan to have this long of a hospital stay with the baby, and financially there is a lot to afford right now. We would appreciate any help right now, so that we can take some of the financial stress off of Matthew and Abby during this hard time. Not only are the hotels a couple hundred a night, but the gas and money spent having to eat out has been financially draining for them. Abby does have Millie, who’s 3 at home and so this has been a hard adjustment for everyone. Any help during this time they would be extremely grateful for, and would help take some stress off of them so they can focus on both Abby’s and the baby’s healing during this time. We will provide updates as we have them!