This Gofundme page has been set up by friends and family who want to share their love and support for Chelsea, Benjamin, and their precious unborn baby, who is due on May 6th, 2022.

 

To friends, family and colleagues of Chelsea and Benjamin and to those who just want to help,

 

Those of you who know Chelsea will probably already know that she, like many other women, struggled to conceive. After 6 emotional years trying to start a family together, including considering adoption, Chelsea and her husband decided to save up for IVF (apart from her regular job, as a kindergarten/grade one teacher, Chelsea has been tutoring and doing office work etc.). Through IVF, she got one viable embryo. The doctors did all the tests possible to make sure that she would get pregnant, and she did! That one embryo turned into their dream baby.

 

It’s a girl!

 

On December 16, 2021, Chelsea went for her routine 20-week ultrasound - they were so excited for this appointment, as it would reveal the baby’s sex (it is a girl which is super exciting and what Chelsea had been hoping for).

 

Unfortunately, the test also uncovered a diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH ). You can follow the link for more information, but basically it means that the diaphragm—the band of muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest—has not developed as expected. Instead, there is a hernia (hole), which means that the baby’s abdominal organs can move into the chest, causing stunted growth of one or both of the lungs. Before birth, the placenta acts to moderate all the functions of the lungs, so the baby can continue to grow, but once she is born, if her lungs are significantly underdeveloped, she will need artificial ventilation.

 

Chelsea has since undergone a battery of tests to try and determine the severity of her baby’s condition. While at first it seemed that the baby had a mild case of CDH, and a greater chance for a positive outcome, an MRI in early January brought more bad news: her lungs are significantly underdeveloped, and her chance at life greatly reduced. The best case scenario is that once she is born, doctors will be able to medically stabilize her, using gentle ventilation (less potential permanent damage to lungs), possible cardiac support, and medication to control her blood pressure. If these fail, life support (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO ) may be required. Then, once she is medically stable, they will operate to repair the hernia and relocate the stomach organs to their proper place.

 

Obviously, this diagnosis is devastating for all concerned, but where there is life, there is hope.

 

Chelsea has qualified for FETO Surgery, a procedure for fetuses diagnosed with CDH, which can improve the development of the fetal lung. However, the only place in Canada for this surgery is Toronto, and Chelsea will have to relocate there from Vancouver for the procedure. Afterwards, if all goes well, she will be monitored for 6 weeks, have another procedure and then return to Vancouver for the birth.

 

While we already know that this little girl will be strong and brave, just like her Mama, this is going to be a long and perilous journey. Chelsea and Benjamin must be focused on the baby and giving her the best chance at survival, and so the last thing we want for them to be worrying about is money.

 

That’s where you come in.

 

We want to show Chelsea and Benjamin that we are all there for them with our prayers, love, and financial support. Even if everything goes well, so much of their time will be spent at the hospital. They are going to need help with:

 

● costs associated with Chelsea’s stay in Toronto

● meal delivery

● dog walking

● medication and specialized equipment the baby will need

● possible extended maternity leave/job disruption

● ongoing medical costs

● ???

 

Thank you in advance for your generosity♥. Every little bit helps️.