Baby Kyle arrived 12 weeks early…!

We are using our story to highlight the challenges faced by many new parents at the NICU with extreme preemie babies. Funds raised will be used to cover some of our basic extra expenses and the rest will go solely to deserving parents in a similar situation to ours. Please read and donate something or at least share this story as far and wide as possible. Thank you!

Michelle and Jacques have known one another since they were little, their parents were friends before they even got married and had children. When Michelle was a baby she moved very far away and 20 something years later Jacques went about finding his old acquaintance. Little did he know then that they would click so well and get married soon after. Almost 10 years after getting married they were blessed with the exciting news that Michelle was expecting.

A surprise baby shower was planned for Michelle and Jacques in June, as Baby Kyle was expected to arrive on 4 August 2019. But in May, the couple received devastating news. On Mother’s Day Michelle was feeling ill and went to the doctor for a check up. During the initial observation her blood pressure was extremely high and she had to be admitted to hospital. She had developed severe HELLP Syndrome and pre-eclampsia. Michelle was gravely ill, and so as not to endanger the lives of both mom and baby, the doctors decided to perform an emergency caesarean. So at only 28 weeks…Baby Kyle arrived 12 weeks early!

Baby Kyle was born on 15 May 2019 at 08:25am, weighing only 970 grams. His Apgar score was 3/10. He was immediately rushed to the NICU. Baby Kyle was placed in a humidifier incubator that provides a womb-like environment. Jacques, the new daddy, divided his time between visiting new mom, Michelle, in high care, as she was still very ill, and Baby Kyle in the NICU.

Whilst in high care, Michelle suffered a few setbacks and had to undergo another surgery. As a result, the new mommy did not meet Baby Kyle until 4 days after he was born. This was a very emotional time for the new family.

Kyle’s first few days were “touch and go”. Since he was born 12 weeks early, his bodily functions had not yet developed. His body did not cope with the feeding tube, as he was not yet able to digest any milk.

At 5 weeks, Baby Kyle was doing much better, and is growing stronger every day. He is still tiny and only weighs 1080 grammes.

Their very basic medical aid is helping with some expenses, but there are many unexpected expenses that the new parents are facing. This GoGetFunding page was started to help Michelle and Jacques with Baby Kyle’s unexpected medical expenses. Please help Baby Kyle.

As a closing note I would like to ad that we are not the only people in a situation like this. Many new parents have really scary complications with their children and newly born babies end up in the very costly NICU. I will therefore give half of all money donated to other needy parents that we have had the privilege of meeting in the NICU.