Family In Need
Donation protected
First off, I would like to say thank you for taking your time to read and acknowledge this fundraiser for our baby girl & family! We are very excited for her arrival and we know we have a long road ahead of us. I know you're probably wondering what gastroschisis is and why we are asking for help.
What Gastroschisis is:
Our little angel has a rare birth defect that effects about one in 5,000 births a year. Gastroschisis is where the large and/or small intestine (or other organ) are formed on the outside of the baby’s belly due to a hole in the abdominal wall. The intestine is unprotected and will be irritated, swollen or damaged when she is born. About 10 percent of babies born with gastroschisis also have a part of the intestine that does not develop correctly and may have to be cut off. Giving inches less of a normal intestine. There is no known cause of gastroschisis and does not appear to be inherited or "run in families." Survival rate in most cases is 75%-95%.
When she is born:
We are having a planned natural birth at 38 weeks if she doesn't come sooner. If she breaches or if there becomes an emergency a c-section will then take place. The timing of the surgery to put her intestines back in the abdominal cavity will depend on her condition after birth. If there is not enough space inside her belly to put the intestines back in they will wait. Most of the time, the surgeon can stretch the belly a bit, fit all of the intestines inside, sew the hole closed, and make a new belly button. Sometimes the surgeon will place the intestines in a special plastic pouch to help protect them and keep them warm until they are able to go back through the hole inside the belly. She will be in the NICU to be watched over and unfortunately won’t go home with us for a while. She will need an IV (intravenous) line, which is a tube that goes into a vein to give fluids and also a breathing machine (ventilator) to help her lungs. A nasogastric (NG) tube is placed in the baby's nose or mouth to keep the stomach empty and to prevent chocking on or breathing in any stomach contents. She is also at a VERY high risk of developing a blockage of the intestine (intestinal atresia), needing more surgery to correct the problem. She could be in the hospital anywhere from 6 weeks to worst case scenario 10+ months. After the surgery is when the hard part begins, trying to recover her intestines fully so that she can be removed from the feeding tube. One of the hardest struggles, everything becoming a marathon.
The Meaning For Our Family:
Our angel has a long road of recovery ahead of her. It makes us very emotional to think about the pain she will endure. Knowing she won't come home days after birth. Also, all of the precious moments we will miss while she is in the hospital and the time missed bonding since we won’t be able to cuddle her until the doctors say it's okay to do so. But, dad and I know there are other parents out there in the world going through this or that have already been through it. We are trying to stay positive and not be scared for her. For now we are taking it one step at a time and trying to enjoy the last weeks of the pregnancy by not questioning everything that lays ahead of us. We trust in the powers of god and remind ourselves these challenges are given to those who are strong. Our baby girl has and is already teaching us so much about the strengths within ourselves.
How You Can Help:
During this time we need your help and support to see us through this all. As our baby will be in the NICU for a while, it will be a huge expense. Having to commute back and forth, paying for meals, sleeping arrangements, bills and other costs will not be easy. As you may all know, our angel has siblings and it will be a hard time for us all, being away and not being able to see her. Anything would be appreciated. Also, If you would like to help in any other ways- transportation help, blankets for her, socks, hats, absolutely anything for a baby girl, making meals, prayers or even just being with us in a time of need, please contact us! Again any help is appreciated so much! Thank you and god bless!
What Gastroschisis is:
Our little angel has a rare birth defect that effects about one in 5,000 births a year. Gastroschisis is where the large and/or small intestine (or other organ) are formed on the outside of the baby’s belly due to a hole in the abdominal wall. The intestine is unprotected and will be irritated, swollen or damaged when she is born. About 10 percent of babies born with gastroschisis also have a part of the intestine that does not develop correctly and may have to be cut off. Giving inches less of a normal intestine. There is no known cause of gastroschisis and does not appear to be inherited or "run in families." Survival rate in most cases is 75%-95%.
When she is born:
We are having a planned natural birth at 38 weeks if she doesn't come sooner. If she breaches or if there becomes an emergency a c-section will then take place. The timing of the surgery to put her intestines back in the abdominal cavity will depend on her condition after birth. If there is not enough space inside her belly to put the intestines back in they will wait. Most of the time, the surgeon can stretch the belly a bit, fit all of the intestines inside, sew the hole closed, and make a new belly button. Sometimes the surgeon will place the intestines in a special plastic pouch to help protect them and keep them warm until they are able to go back through the hole inside the belly. She will be in the NICU to be watched over and unfortunately won’t go home with us for a while. She will need an IV (intravenous) line, which is a tube that goes into a vein to give fluids and also a breathing machine (ventilator) to help her lungs. A nasogastric (NG) tube is placed in the baby's nose or mouth to keep the stomach empty and to prevent chocking on or breathing in any stomach contents. She is also at a VERY high risk of developing a blockage of the intestine (intestinal atresia), needing more surgery to correct the problem. She could be in the hospital anywhere from 6 weeks to worst case scenario 10+ months. After the surgery is when the hard part begins, trying to recover her intestines fully so that she can be removed from the feeding tube. One of the hardest struggles, everything becoming a marathon.
The Meaning For Our Family:
Our angel has a long road of recovery ahead of her. It makes us very emotional to think about the pain she will endure. Knowing she won't come home days after birth. Also, all of the precious moments we will miss while she is in the hospital and the time missed bonding since we won’t be able to cuddle her until the doctors say it's okay to do so. But, dad and I know there are other parents out there in the world going through this or that have already been through it. We are trying to stay positive and not be scared for her. For now we are taking it one step at a time and trying to enjoy the last weeks of the pregnancy by not questioning everything that lays ahead of us. We trust in the powers of god and remind ourselves these challenges are given to those who are strong. Our baby girl has and is already teaching us so much about the strengths within ourselves.
How You Can Help:
During this time we need your help and support to see us through this all. As our baby will be in the NICU for a while, it will be a huge expense. Having to commute back and forth, paying for meals, sleeping arrangements, bills and other costs will not be easy. As you may all know, our angel has siblings and it will be a hard time for us all, being away and not being able to see her. Anything would be appreciated. Also, If you would like to help in any other ways- transportation help, blankets for her, socks, hats, absolutely anything for a baby girl, making meals, prayers or even just being with us in a time of need, please contact us! Again any help is appreciated so much! Thank you and god bless!
Organizer
Cecilia Navarro
Organizer
Westminster, CO
