Kristianna, spreading HOPE for Arabella Ann
Ambassador Kristianna Hall, fundraising in memory of Arabella Ann
“In October 2021 we were thrilled to find out we were pregnant with our first child. Being new parents, navigating a wild journey, we started to prepare for our baby by gathering clothing, a crib, diapers, basically anything I possibly could to get ready for our bundle of joy.
My first appointment was in December at 8 weeks 5 days. We got our first ultrasound pictures and a due date of 7/26/2022. We were over the moon. As things continued to progress, I was very sleepy and nauseous but so overjoyed we would be welcoming a new addition to our family. We continued to have appointments once a month in January, February, and March. We loved watching our baby grow and getting to hear her heartbeat and even feel kicks of joy.
Our anatomy scan was on March 8th, at 20 weeks, and we found out for International Women’s Day that she was a girl! I knew before I was even pregnant that her name would be Arabella. Her middle name Ann came from my mother’s middle name, as well as my late Mother in Law’s middle name (who passed years ago before I had the opportunity to meet her.)
On March 14th it was my 29th birthday and we celebrated with a delicious meal at Olive Garden. I was beyond thrilled to get more small gifts for our sweet angel rather than myself for this year. Surrounded by family we all rejoiced at the thought that we would have a new sweet baby to love on and cherish forever. Little did I know, our paradise would soon come to an end as I woke up in the middle of the night on March 25th, 2022 and lost huge amounts of blood and clots. I woke my husband up and we immediately knew something was very wrong. We rushed to the closest hospital filled with fear and panic, unaware of how much worse things could get.
When we arrived to St. Anthony’s North, we explained that I was 23 weeks pregnant and had lost blood and fluid and needed to be seen right away. To make a long story shorter, the Doctor and nurses ran tests but said she was a week short of what was considered viability at 24 weeks and they would do nothing to intervene or assist. They also told us they are a catholic hospital and we would need to leave and go to another facility to deliver since Arabella would not make it and it was against their religious policies. Still losing a ton of blood and at a loss for words, my husband drove me across town to our OB’s office in Louisville, CO to deliver. When we arrived, we were told the nurses would be expecting us, but instead we were like strangers showing up at this facility and the front desk lady asked if I was expecting. I was bewildered and said I think I am losing our daughter right now please hurry and we were rushed to a room in labor and delivery.
After many more tests and long hours, they confirmed Arabella’s heartbeat was gone and all we could do was wait to deliver her lifeless body. At 11:47 AM, our angel was born and was the most beautiful long legged little girl I have ever laid eyes on. Looking back, we had the perfect pregnancy with no spotting, no warning signs or issues. Arabella was strong and powerful, and I couldn’t help but shake the feeling it was my body and an undetected infection that resulted in her demise. In the end her cause of death was listed as PPROM and placental abruption but they are unsure what exactly might have caused the silent dilation and preterm labor. To say this has been the most difficult event of our lives would be an understatement. We are still fighting insurance and Doctors who charged over $40,000 this year so far to my health plan and feel in the end we are left with nothing. We are honored to be able to share our story and the legacy of our only child. Mommy and Daddy love you forever and always Arabella Ann.”
If you would like to make a contribution to Kristianna’s fundraiser in honor of Arabella Ann, here are the programs and initiatives your money goes towards:
Sponsorship for virtual support groups and in-person retreats
Outreach and education for healthcare providers
Peer and community support
Empowering resources for bereaved families and their loved ones
Learn more about RTZ HOPEtober and how you can help us spread hope and shine a light on pregnancy and infant loss, helping others to live a life full of hope, connection, and meaning.