Support for Baby Alana's Journey

Hi Everyone, 

Our Family's Story 

 If you aren't aware already, Alana Marie Kippenberg was diagnosed with a rare condition called trisomy 18 around 12 weeks. We both have been to so many appointments and nothing is/was getting better. We had an amnio preformed, and it did in fact confirm her diagnosis. Joshua and I spent hours and days thinking about our options and knew in our hearts that we could not give up on her. So, we chose to continue on with the pregnancy.

Around 20 weeks we had our anatomy scan. She then got diagnosed with a complex heart defect and absent CSP. So, they were not sure that she would make it much longer. We've had twice the number of ultrasounds than a normal pregnancy. At 26 weeks they saw that the blood flow in her umbilical cord is decreasing and stops pumping for a millisecond. We have increased our appointments to weekly instead of Bi-weekly to keep an eye on her. Week by week we decide if she is stable to stay in and cook longer or if we need to have an emergency c-section. There have been so many ups and downs throughout and I'm constantly fighting with myself about everything. 

Now we are currently 28 weeks and 4 days. We just recently had an appointment with the BPP and Umbilical artery dopplers. Those tests basically show if she is breathing and moving appropriately and... she passed!. Joshua and I decided to focus on the positives but also know what could or couldn't happen. She kicks and moves around like crazy everyday. We listen to her heartbeat every night and it's such a soothing sound for us. We did not expect/want any of this so we are being as strong as we can be. We will continue to fight for our baby girl until we/she can't anymore. 

Joshua and I would like to thank everyone for being so supportive through this pregnancy so far. This has been the hardest thing we have ever gone through, and I couldn't imagine going through it without you guys or my family. Although we don't know for sure what the outcome will be for our sweet girl, we want to celebrate her life thus far with all of you. 

Thank you, 

Kaitlin❤️

Current update: Kaitlin is currently 29 weeks pregnant and it looks like Baby Alana could be born next week via c-section. Kaitlin and Josh will have a lot of expenses coming up especially as Kaitlin will take maternity leave and be off of work unpaid. The last thing either of them should be worried about right now is money as they prepare to say goodbye to their sweet baby girl.

Update from momma :

Alana Marie Kippenberg 

Time of birth 3:08 PM 5/23/2024 

Time of death 9:13 PM 5/23/2024 

 My sweet baby girl. 6 hours and 5 minutes that is how long we got to spend with you and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I have never felt this kind of love before until the second I saw you. Mommy will spend everyday trying to make you proud just like you made me proud to be your mamma. Mommy loves you beautiful baby. We will see eachother again one day I promise you are with us forever