At 26 weeks pregnant, Samantha found herself three hours from home, frightened, and at her most fragile. She had a large bleed and rushed to Owen Sound hospital where she was airlifted to London.
“It was the scariest moment of mine and my husband’s lives."
With Samantha’s degree of placenta previa, she needed to be close by the London hospital for the remainder of her pregnancy.
WHATEVER IT TAKES
Samantha and Dane were able to stay just steps away from hospital at Ronald McDonald House London and as the weeks went by, she started having major bleeds once or twice a week.
“It allowed us to live a normal life for the rest of my pregnancy, knowing we were in the best hands at every scary turn.”
Although Samantha was disappointed that they wouldn’t be able to prepare for baby’s arrival as planned, the soon-to-be Mom and Dad enjoyed the quality time they had together reading books, journaling, and listening to podcasts.
“That time, is the most memorable and important of my whole pregnancy.”
LEAVING IN A PANIC
Their baby’s arrival was unexpected, causing Samantha and Dane to leave RMH in the middle of the night, running across the road to the hospital.
“Being that close to hospital potentially saved me and my baby’s life.”
Baby Sofia arrived and both mom and baby were healthy.
HARD TO SAY GOODBYE
Samantha and Dane had such fond memories of their time at RMH that as soon as they were discharged from hospital, they returned to say proper goodbyes and introduce staff to their precious baby girl before heading home to Port Elgin.
“It’s hard to put into words how much our stay meant to us. We almost did not want to leave!”
Tough times never last, but tough people do—The Buttenaar Family motto, as quoted by Dane’s late Opa.
“Everything we hoped for came true.”
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