Our Unexpected Journey: Baby River’s Early Arrival

Ten days ago, what started as a routine prenatal appointment turned into a medical emergency that has our family facing an unexpected and challenging road ahead.

What Happened:

After my doctor noticed concerning blood pressure readings, I was sent to the hospital for monitoring. Within hours, the situation escalated dramatically. I was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia—a life-threatening pregnancy complication—and immediately admitted for intensive care.

That terrifying first day, I was rushed through the halls on a hospital bed, receiving IVs, anti-seizure medication, and emergency lung-development shots for our baby in case he needed to be delivered immediately. My body shook uncontrollably as doctors explained the gravity of the situation.

Where We Are Now:

I’ve been hospitalized for 10 days on strict bed rest with round-the-clock monitoring. Our son, River, will need to be delivered at 34 weeks (6 weeks early) and will require an extended NICU stay. The doctors have warned that my condition will likely worsen, and I face a high probability of emergency C-section. Instead of spending Christmas with family and celebrating the New Year at home as we’d planned, I’ll be spending the holidays in the hospital—a sacrifice I gladly make for my baby’s health, though it’s heartbreaking to miss these moments.

The Financial Reality:

My husband Matthew has been forced to take extended unpaid leave from work to be by my side, as my condition could take a critical turn at any moment. He is our sole income, and we’re now facing:

∙ Loss of income during this extended hospital stay and recovery

∙ Upcoming weeks/months of NICU care for River

∙ Medical bills from this emergency hospitalization

∙ Zero time to prepare our home, nursery, or finances for an early arrival

∙ Cancellation of my baby shower (which we’d hoped would help us prepare)

We had plans. I had everything organized—hospital bag packed but now we’re starting from scratch while dealing with a medical crisis.

Why We’re Asking for Help:

This is one of the most humbling moments of our lives. We’re not people who typically ask for help—I’ve always prided myself on being organized, self-sufficient, and prepared. But this situation has taught us that sometimes life throws you challenges you simply cannot face alone.

We need help to:

∙ Cover basic living expenses while Matthew is unable to work

∙ Prepare for River’s unexpected early arrival

∙ Purchase essential items for River’s NICU stay and homecoming

∙ Manage mounting medical bills

∙ Focus on what matters most: keeping me stable and giving River the best chance

How You Can Help:

Any contribution—no matter the size—will make a meaningful difference in our ability to navigate this crisis and welcome our miracle baby with less financial stress weighing on us.

If you’ve already purchased something from our baby registry, we are overwhelmed with gratitude. Please contact my sister Danielle to arrange pickup or delivery.

Your prayers, positive thoughts, and any financial support you can offer mean more to us than we can express. We’ve waited our whole lives for this baby, and we’re so grateful for the community surrounding us during this frightening time. Updates will be posted regularly as we continue this journey toward meeting our son.

Thank you for reading, understanding, and helping us bring River safely into this world. 💙