Supporting Baby Frantz

Hi everyone!

As many of you know, Caroline and Karl are pregnant! :D We are so excited for them and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Baby Girl Frantz (BGF). Don’t worry – I’ve been hounding them to “choose a name already!” and will keep everyone updated as soon as my tactics coerce them into deciding.

Many of you also know that BGF has not been a typical pregnancy and will require extra care when she is born. To get everyone up to speed, BGF has a giant omphalocele, which is a rare condition affecting the abdominal wall. Because of this, a few of her crucial organs exist outside of her body in a thin, fragile sac. She will be delivered via C-section on October 1 and will immediately go into the NICU until she is developed and stable enough to come home.

Eventually, she will need surgery to place all of her organs into her sweet little body -- a surgery we are fortunate enough to be somewhat familiar with due to our dad’s work as a pediatric surgeon. From that very brief overview, you can gather that Baby Girl Frantz, Cara, and Karl have a long road ahead of them in order to properly provide the accommodations and care that the baby needs.

Karl and Cara have opted to not have a baby shower yet, due to the unknowns that surround BGF, when she will be able to come home, and what special items she will need during her early phase of life. However, after spending time with Karl and Cara, talking to other parents of infants with congenital abnormalities, and researching online, I’ve pulled a few ideas of ways that we can support them, both near and far, emotionally and financially, throughout this pregnancy and new parenthood of a child with an omphalocele.

This GoFundMe is just one way to support Karl, Cara, and Baby Girl Frantz. The hospital stays, NICU bills, special devices and accommodations, and future surgery/surgeries will not be 100% covered by insurance. The care BGF needs for the first undetermined bit of her life will be expensive, and we don’t want Karl and Cara stressing about that when they have a fragile little one who needs their love and attention. If you wish to donate, feel free to contribute what you wish and know that it will be immensely appreciated.

Check out this CaringBridge website for additional information, ways to support them, and journal updates so you can follow along on the Baby Girl Frantz journey!

Love,

Jenna