Jessica and Everett Mendenhall need your help. As you may know, young Jess has had a complicated pregnancy. Due to her type-1 diabetes she is completely insulin dependent. Her pregnancy was considered high-risk and required she see specialist obstetrics in Charleston, about an hour and a half from her home. She was required to have weekly appointments throughout most of her pregnancy. On each visit she was subjected to a full gamut of testing to determine the health of her and the baby. From the beginning, it was known that this precious baby was large. At 35 weeks he was estimated at 8.3 pounds and his femur measurements confirmed this. All-in-all, however, it was considered a "boring" pregnancy - meaning that few or no problems manifested throughout the initial 8 months.

The decision was made early on that labor would be induced around the 37- or 38-week mark, so on Friday, September 2, 2022, the call came that labor would soon begin! Jess and her entire family were thrilled that soon, they would meet this wonderful new addition to the family. Driving the now familiar route to Charleston, MUSC welcomed them and began the inducing process. IVs were placed, medicines were given, and labor began. As is often the case, progress was slow and by Saturday afternoon, the decision was made to upgrade the procedures to help push things along. By Sunday morning, Everett still had not arrived, but he was getting close. Finally, Jess was told to do a few "practice" pushes. These were more successful than anticipated and soon Everett's head emerged! Suddenly the room became a hive of activity. The doctors and nurses had been watching for any sign of problems and now, when all progress stopped, troubles began to compile at an alarming rate.

Everett's shoulders had become stuck on Jess's pelvis. Breaking his clavicle to allow for escape was not successful. In fact, nothing was successful. The rapid response team was summoned and the two were rushed into emergency surgery. The family was left not knowing if either one would return! Doctors performed the extremely dangerous "Zaninelli Maneuver". This maneuver is a last-ditch effort that requires pushing the baby backwards into the birth canal so that a C-Section can be performed. Meanwhile, baby Everett was not getting oxygen. For a minimum of nine (9) minutes, he was without oxygen/heartbeat! Everett required several rounds of resuscitation before he could be stabilized and moved. He also had several seizures. He received medication to get control of that as well. The surgery was ultimately considered a success and after many stitches, staples and ultimately 3 units of blood, Jess was out of the woods, for now.

However, Jess had multiple problems stemming from the birth, including high blood pressure due to post-partum pre-eclampsia , resulting in more time kept away from her newborn. After a full week in the hospital, being treated for these and other issues, Jess was finally discharged. This brought on a new set of problems as she now had no place to stay near her baby. Hotel and living costs began to mount, stressing this new mother at a time when she should be happy and worry free.

Everett however was rushed to the NICU where he was put on hypothermia protocol and vented (placed on a ventilator to assist with breathing). He was on hypothermia protocol for 72 hours with 24 hours additional to warm back up. Hypothermia protocol is where they lower the body temperature to about 89 degrees F to allow healing. Because Jess had to be placed under general anesthesia for the birth, Everett was not able to feel his mother’s warm, loving arms until 5 days after he was born.

The issues and problems that Everett will face may not be fully known for years to come, however currently, he has been diagnosed with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) and Failure To Thrive (FTT). The FTT is because he is unable to eat enough to maintain his current weight. The HIE is due to the oxygen deprivation during birth. He has also been recently entered in a study that may help reset his brain for eating and functioning properly. Again, the added costs will be detrimental to this young family.

We ask that you take a moment and consider how you can help Jess and Everett. Jess is currently unable to work and has no income for the time being. As you hug and love your babies and loved ones tonight, remember Jess and Everett. Please help ease the building burden of debt this young family is experiencing. Consider sending as much love as you can today!

Support Jess and Everett

By Julie Kaye Daech

Support Jess and Everett

Support Jess and Everett! As the bills mount up from weeks in the the NICU, help their new life begin on a more positive note.

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