Help Siannon S. in the NICU?

On December 29th, Patrizia went to the Fetal Center at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital for her biweekly ultrasound. Patrizia had been having biweekly appointments ever since our daughter Siannon was diagnosed with severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) at her 20-week anatomy scan. Genetic testing revealed no chromosomal abnormalities, but detailed ultrasounds and fetal echocardiograms showed abnormal umbilical artery flow, strongly indicating that Siannon was not growing due to placental insufficiency.

For more than two months, multiple doctors told our family at every appointment that this pregnancy would not result in a living child. On December 29th that reality changed as one doctor decided to give Siannon a chance. She had reached a size to potentially survive birth and be able to be intubated and moved to NICU care. "This is your chance to meet your daughter," said the doctor, and Patrizia was immediately admitted to Memorial Hermann Hospital. Siannon was safely born only hours later via c-section at 3:11 pm.

Siannon's birth weight was 1 lb. 1 oz., or about 485g. That's the approximate weight of a can of soup.

Siannon was born preterm at 31 weeks gestation. Her actual gestational age, however, is closer to 23 weeks due to her severe growth restriction in utero. Siannon has been thriving in the NICU, but doctors are anticipating a minimum stay of at least 9 weeks in the NICU, and possibly longer depending on her needs. Siannon is currently on assisted ventilation, but x-rays have revealed that her lungs are well-expanded and that Siannon is learning to breathe on her own. Her brain scans are normal and have revealed no bleeding. Siannon is also receiving blood transfusions to boost her platelet and red blood cell counts to help with oxygenation as well as her immune system. Siannon also needs total parenteral nutrition, where proteins, lipids, glucose, etcetera are administered via central lines. But as of this past week she has also been receiving small amounts of expressed breast milk to enhance growth, cognition, bone mineral content, and cardiovascular health as well as to prevent infection of the digestive system. Overall, Siannon is doing well and our family is grateful for the excellent care she is been receiving during her NICU stay.

At present, Patrizia is a stay-at-home mom, and Aaron is working at Katy ISD as a Special Education teacher. While our family is insured by Aaron's job, we are not anticipating insurance will be able to fully cover Siannon's extended stay in the NICU. We are therefore kindly requesting help with both the hospital bills as well as transportation to and from the hospital.

The NICU at Children's Memorial Hermann is an excellent facility and one of only four Level IV NICU centers in the state of Texas. Our family lives approximately 45 minutes away, and your donation would help us with not just the medical bills, but also gas, tolls, and parking.

If you would be able to support our family on this journey, we would appreciate anything you can do to help. Most of all, we appreciate your prayers for Siannon, that she would continue to beat the odds and thrive.

Thank you,

Aaron, Patrizia, Finnegan, and Siannon Smith