Baby Lia’s battle with prematurity and ruptured stomach

I’m Sharmaine Regencia-Balderama, 29 y.o., residing at Cavite, Philippines. I am currently 30 weeks pregnant and fighting for my baby's survival inside my womb.

My husband and I just got married last Dec 2020. We're dreaming of building a family and were blessed to be able to get pregnant last June 2021. However, we only experienced the joy of parenthood for a few weeks since last July 18, 2021, I have undergone a D&C procedure since I had a miscarriage (blighted ovum). We lost our baby angel at 8 weeks.

After embracing the loss, God has been so gracious to us since 4 months after (November 2021), we found out that we were pregnant again. But trials keep on testing our faith since this pregnancy was not like any normal pregnancy.

At 10 weeks, I had a subchorionic hemorrhage and was admitted to the hospital for 3 days (20,000 Php / 400 USD). I was put on bed rest and was advised by my OB to consult an immunologist to be screened for immune disorder due to my sensitive pregnancy. I have undergone Reproductive Immune Disorder (RID) and APAS testing (18,000 Php / 360 USD).

At 18 weeks, I was officially diagnosed with RID category 5. I have high Natural killer cells attacking the forming baby inside my womb. Immediate treatments and medicines were recommended by my immunologist to help save my baby. I have undergone Intralipid infusion (15,000 Php / 300 USD) and was advised to take aspirins daily and inject tinzaparin (innohep), both blood thinners, to assist good blood flow to my baby.

At 19 weeks, I was diagnosed with Oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid) and was recommended to consult an OB perinatologist (high risk pregnancy expert). I was given a lot of medicines (blood thinners, antihypertensive, amino acids) to sustain the growth of my baby inside my womb.

At 21 weeks, ultrasound showed that my baby started to slow down in growth. Her size and weight were at <10th percentile for her gestational age (228 grams). The dosages of my medicines were then increased.

At 22 weeks I have undergone another round of Intralipid infusion (15,000 Php / 300 USD) to still lower my NK cells.

At 24 weeks, a repeat ultrasound also showed that my baby's size and weight were still at <10th percentile for her gestational age (387grams). The dosages of my medicines were again increased.

At 25 weeks, my immunologist immediately recommended that I undergo IVIG treatment (70,000Php (1,400 USD) due to not improving weight of my baby. This treatment was so out of budget but urgently needed that’s why I did a fundraising activity last April 8, 2022, for us to be able to get through this IVIG treatment. By God’s grace, we were able to push through with the treatment. I was also given steroid shots (4 shots of Dexamethasone) to develop my baby's lungs to be ready in case of pre-term labor.

At 27 weeks, a repeat ultrasound showed that my baby's size and weight were still at <10th percentile for her gestational age (537 g). Therefore, the dosages of my medicines were again increased.

At 28 weeks, my immunologist advised repeat blood tests (8,500 Php / 170 USD) to check the status of my NK cells. Results showed slight decrease in my NK cells but still high for pregnant.

At 30 weeks (May 7, 2022), a repeat ultrasound still showed that my baby's size and weight were still at <10th percentile for her gestational age (845g) and that I have absent and diastolic notching. It means that the blood flow going to my baby is not good and is already restricted. My OB Perinatologist advised that if the blood flow does not improve within the week, I will be a candidate for an emergency C-section. Again, I was advised to inject steroid shots (4 shots of Dexamethasone) to ensure the proper development of my baby's lungs.

Treatments and medicines to manage my RID are very costly. I was not given clearance to work since I’m high risk. Without income for six months already, we struggle to manage my meds and treatments (Intralipid infusions, IVIG, Tinzaparin injections, gestational hypertension meds, fetus development meds, blood panel tests for RID monitoring and prenatal vitamins). I have health and life insurance, but unfortunately, treatments for RID are not covered.

Everything was so fast-paced and unexpected that we were being drained financially. All our savings were used up for the treatments and medicines with a monthly cost of 40,000 Php (800 USD), blood works and laboratory tests with a monthly cost of around 20,000 Php (400 USD) and IVIG treatment with a cost of 70,000Php (1,400 USD).

With this, we need prayers and help to raise funds for the succeeding treatments, medicines and possible emergency C section. Any help or amount would be much appreciated.

Thank you very much from my fighting baby girl and I, and God bless you in return.