This is not something I ever wanted to have to do, but unfortunately it is now my last resort. My name is Emma, and I am a 23 year old single mother of the sweetest little girl who is 3,
Last December, I found out I was expecting a new addition to my little family, everything was going great, in the beginning…
Issues with my pregnancy started off easy going, but quickly became life threatening, for both of us.
In February I had to leave my factory job of 3 years, due to complications caused by the work I was doing. Towards the end of March, I was placed on harsh restrictions but still able to work part time at a minimum wage job. Now, I’m un able to work at all. I am unable to provide for myself and my child, I am unable to physically care for her, so I have had to resort to staying with family that can help me, and help with her through out the day. Issues with my pregnancy started off with hypertension, but quickly escalated to liver failure, and multiple ER visits to stop preterm labor. Not long after, I began having sharp lower abdominal pain for days on end with no relief, I then found out, that pain was my unborn daughter, tearing away at my internal scar tissue from when I had my appendix taken out after it ruptured 2 years prior. Unfortunately nothing can be done about the issue but I was then instructed to stay off of my feet as much as possible, and keep on my left side to try and avoid it completely tearing open, or I would internally begin to bleed.
I was then placed on medication to help with my liver function, and things started to get better! Until my last appointment…
At my last appointment, we did an ultrasound to check on the cord function, and got news that no mother wants to get. My baby girl is no longer growing, the blood flow in her cord is restricting, causing her to not get even half of what she needs to grow. At my 20 week anatomy scan, she was growing perfectly, she was in the 53 percentile for growth, and weighing 1LB 14OZ, 11 weeks later, she is in the 2nd percentile, and only 2LB, 2OZ. My OB advised me that with the previous issues, we were hoping to make it to at least 34-36 weeks before having to take her, but now I have to be prepared to throw in the towel and take her at any moment.
My heart absolutely sunk, I was instantly mad, I’m so mad that my body had not only failed me, but it has failed my baby girl. I have been struggling to hop over obstacles but continue to push forward because my little girls need me. But I am so scared to loose a child, as any parent would be.
We are now being referred to Iowa City to continue my care up there, with the expectation to be admitted at any time.
I dont like asking for help, but I now realize that this is the time I need it the most, with being on bedrest, unable to work, and having absolutely no income, I have contacted every church in a 85 mile radius, I have contacted every possible low income resource that was given to me and nobody has any funding. I am unable to pay my rent, and at risk of loosing the home I have worked so hard to get and keep for my daughter and i, I am unable to afford my electric bills, water bills, and gas bills, and all other financial out of pocket expenses.
I as of now have 11 appointments for the remainder of this month, with almost half of those appointments being 2 hours from home.
Im asking for any help to keep the roof over my daughters head, food on the table, water on for her to bathe in, the lights on, and gas to get to and from my appointments. Even if it just means sharing this post, every little thing helps. I am so beyond thankful for each and every one of you, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
