"A less than 4% chance", that's what the high-risk obstetrician told my sister, Jaime,  when she became pregnant with little Greta.  A less than 4% chance that her body would reject the pregnancy resulting in a condition called pre-eclampsia.  

You see 5 years ago, after countless rounds of IVF, Jaime and Sean received the most incredible news.  They were pregnant with twins!  Their prayers had been answered, times 2!  Unfortunately, a few months into the pregnancy,  they received terrible news that one of the twins passed away.  As crushing as this news was, knowing they still had one healthy baby that needed them, they persevered through the pain.   Shortly after that, Jaime began to not feel so well. Her condition worsened very quickly resulting in an ER visit and then ICU. Jaime was in "severe onset pre-eclampsia",  her kidneys were failing, her blood pressure was through the roof, she was in extreme danger.  Liam was only 30 weeks. 

Thankfully, by the grace of God, Jaime and Liam both survived.  Liam is a strong, healthy, energetic, smart 5-year-old boy.  Just the best!

A 4% chance that this would happen again. That's what they told Jaime and Sean when they again received the most incredible news, again after many rounds of IVF,  that they were again pregnant!  

Well, if you are close family or friends, then you already know what happens.  Jaime began to show the identical signs of toxemia that she had while pregnant with Liam, she was 25 weeks.  However, this time, to buy some time, her doctor decided to put Jaime on strict bed-rest. She had to stop working immediately, her life and the life of her unborn child were in danger.   

Two weeks later, at 27 weeks, Greta Ann came into the world.  A feisty 1lb, 7oz., little girl, who shocked even the high-risk obstetrician and everyone else in the room, when she came out screaming!  We couldn't have been more excited and hopeful.  Jaime, on the other hand, wasn't doing so well.  Her blood pressure was through the roof, her body swelled severely, and not only could she not see her new baby girl, but Liam wasn't allowed to visit her either.  To say this was tough for Jaime, Sean and Liam is an understatement.  

But again, by the grace of God, Jaime recovered and was finally home with her family, well except for little Greta.

Greta, our fierce little screamer,  has so far received two blood transfusions, caught a Staph infection which needed antibiotics,  dropped in weight to 1lb, 4oz., has been intubated to help her breathe, has been pricked and prodded more times than we can imagine. . .  
The stress of the unknown and the agony of not being able to help your baby is unimaginable to me.  Yet Jaime and Sean continue to be so strong for little Greta and Liam.  

Jaime recently found out that not only will she not be paid for her medical leave of absence, but she will not be paid for maternity leave as well.   Thanks to a clerical error and a missed deadline,  Jaime and Sean have found themselves in a pretty stressful predicament.  Sean, of course, will work extra hours, he'll try to do to whatever he can to make up for the loss, but I wish he didn't have too. I wish that Sean and Jaime can reserve their strength and their stress level to focus on little Greta and her mountain she has to climb.  And of course, for Liam, because he deserves nothing less than his mom and dad happy and relaxed, even present, while he waits for his baby sister to come home.  

Asking for help is not the easiest thing to do. And neither Jaime nor Sean is super comfortable with this ask.  But I know how many friends and family they have out there that truly care and are worried about them.  

We all want to help, that's the bottom line.  

Together, if we can ease the burden,  even just a bit so that they can point all their prayers towards little Greta and her big mountain climb, wouldn't that be incredible?

Thank you for your consideration and prayers.  Hopefully, together we can all make life a bit less stressful for Jaime, Sean, Liam and little Greta.