Our daughter Lainey Rae had a due date of February 28, 2024. On Novemeber 10th after our anatomy scan our OB told us Lainey was measuring 2 weeks smaller than she should be; from there we were admitted to the hospital at 24 weeks and 2 days for IUGR (Intrauterine growth restriction Also called: fetal growth restriction) Lainey also had intermittent absent end diastolic flow on doppler. The next few days Laineys heart rate was being monitored and the doctors started me on IV meds. November 13th our third day in the hospital I started to get very sick and had a horrible pain it felt like burning in my stomach/Upper right quadrant that felt almost like a stomach ulcer and my blood pressure started to rise. The pain got so bad I started to vomit and could not hold anything down. They checked my labs and noticed they were concerning my AST (Aspartate transferase (AST) is an enzyme that's found in your liver, heart, pancreas, muscles and other tissues in your body.) increased from 16 to 55. ALT (ALT stands for alanine transaminase. It is an enzyme found mostly in the liver. When liver cells are damaged, they release ALT into the bloodstream.) increased from 20 to 47. LDH (lactate dehydrogenase; when tissues in your body experience damage or injury, they release excess LDH into your bloodstream or other body fluids) increased from 172 to 245 to 340. All of these are consistent with HELLP Syndrome. Also called: hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count. HELLP Syndrome is a serious complication of high blood pressure during pregnancy and usually develops before the 37th week of pregnancy but can occur shortly after delivery. Many women are diagnosed with preeclampsia beforehand (I was not). Symptoms include nausea, headache, belly pain, and swelling. (I had VERY bad swelling in my legs, feet and ankles to the point my normal shoe size was 9.5 and I had to get size 11 shoes) Treatment usually requires delivery of the baby, even if the baby is premature. The cause of HELLP syndrome has not been found. (If my OB did not commit me to the hospital when she did I would not be here today... I would have thought I was having stomach ulcer pain an stayed home. I am forever greatful my doctors found my HELLP Syndrome quick). The doctors said they wanted to recheck my labs again in a few hours and if they got worse they would need to deliver Lainey. My Labs returned significantly worse. My Platelets while still normal trended down: 229 to 191 to 170; ALT 20 to 47 to 232. AST 16 to 55 to 827. The doctors said I had HELLP syndrome and in order to save me and Lainey they would have to deliver her now. Nurses and doctors came rushing throwing on their PPE (Personal protective equipment Clothing) wheeling me to surgery for an emergency delivery. Lainey was born by C-section (classical uterine incision) at 24 weeks and 5 days on November 13, 2023 at 6:32 P.M. weighing 445grams/15.7 ounces and measuring 11 inches long. The wonderful NICU team at HCA Gulf Coast Dr.Knutson and Dr.Pena took over Laineys care from there. Lainey was taken care of by the best NICU team we could have asked for the nurses were top notch and extremely knowledgeable and the nurse practioners Gretchen, Paula and Christie were so sweet and amazing at their jobs. This whole team made life in the NICU a little more bearable and they made us feel like family! Lainey was a true warrior and fighter she made it through two big surgeries in the same day where she had a broviac line placed and stomach surgery that left her with an ostomy. Lainey fought through every battle you could imagine; her strength was unbelievable! Lainey was so tiny but so sassy and she was the princess of the NICU she wanted all the attention and loved to slap and kick at the doctors and nurses. Lainey kept her NICU team on their toes at all hours. Lainey fought her battle for 55 days before a mucus plug took her from us she went to play with the angels on January 6, 2024 and has been our guardian angel ever since. We are joining this movement in honor of our daughter Lainey Rae to have her story be known as well as shed light on HELLP syndrome, premature birth, NICU journeys as well as child loss. With preterm birth and maternal death rates continuing to rise, I’m committed to raising funds so that every family gets the best possible start. But I need your help.
Please visit my fundraising page to make a donation. Together we’ll be part of a movement to ensure every mom and baby have a fighting chance.
With preterm birth rates continuing to rise, the U.S. remains among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth, especially for women and babies of color.
At March for Babies: A Mother of a Movement™ you're lifting up communities, creating connections and taking action to make America a more equitable place and ensure that every mom and baby is healthy.
Together, we’re marching to raise funds and awareness to transform the health of all families!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
