Help Baby Pia’s Battle for Life

May 26, Saturday - everything was normal for a 25-week pregnant me, until I peed with blood at 5:30AM. We informed my OB & immediately rushed to the hospital. By 11AM, I was at the delivery room. They performed several tests. I was hoping that everything would be okay especially my baby. They checked my cervix & learned that it was already 7cm. Then they injected medicines that would help develop my baby's brain & lungs. We were just buying time that we would wait until tomorrow for the medicine to still be absorbed by my baby. But at around 8PM, my cervix was fully open at 9cm. Oh oh... baby wants to go out. At 8:22PM, I delivered Baby PIA YSABEL BENIG BRAZIL via normal delivery at 25 weeks & 3 days. That makes her a preemie baby.

WHAT IS PREMATURE BIRTH?

A premature birth is when a woman gives birth at least three weeks before the baby's estimated due date, before the start of the 37th week of pregnancy. Baby Pia is considered "extremely preterm, born on/before 25 weeks of pregnancy."

THE JOURNEY AHEAD

Baby Pia is staying in a special nursery unit - the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) - at the hospital. How long will she be staying there? Only GOD knows!

Baby Pia needs a lot of tests until she reaches 37 weeks. Since she is not in her normal environment (my womb), she will need all the medical care and attention for her to cope outside my womb. Everyday is a battle for 920-gram Baby Pia.

Baby Pia is a fighter! After four days of stay at NICU, she is showing a lot of progress. She can now breathe on her own, with just a little help from oxygen. She can now consume donated breast milk, 2ml every 2 hours. She opens her eyes & can grip Mommy's finger. Her brain ultrasound is normal. There will be several tests along the way and we are staying positive & trusting our brave little baby princess Pia to continue fighting until we are permitted to go home with her.

THE EXPENSES

Being so delicate, preemie babies stay in the hospital for at least one month, depending on their health progress. There will be tests almost everyday to make sure that there are no infections & complications. Baby Pia's hospital bill after two days at NICU is P110,107. If she needs to stay at NICU for a month or so..... I will let you do the math.

THE PLEA

Baby Pia is fighting for her life. We want our baby girl to live and be with us as soon as possible. I want to read to her stories that she wants me to read. Her Daddy wants to sing, dance & play with her. My dear friends, colleagues, relatives, and those who are reading this, we are knocking at your good heart to help us in this trial. Our family needs your help. We would appreciate any amount and forever be grateful for any help that we could get from you. Thank you all & GOD bless you!

You may also deposit you financial help to my BPI account - 4359 0889 52 Floranie B. Benig.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11