F A M I L Y
P R O F I L E
Davidson Family
HOME: Waynesville, MO (Pulaski County)
Monica Davidson has experienced difficult
pregnancies since the beginning of 2017. With Mila and Davina, she had a smooth pregnancy up until 21 weeks, but she didn’t have enough cervical length to carry the twins to term. She was placed on bedrest for three weeks at home, and then was dilated and remained on bedrest at the hospital until the twins were born at 27 weeks. After being bedridden for six weeks, Monica gave birth to Mila and Davina who then were admitted to the NICU due to their prematurity and respiratory distress. Monica lived an hour and a half away, so she decided to stay at the Ronald McDonald House while her husband worked and took care of their two other children at home, alongside her mother. Monica appreciated the House not only for the services, meals and private bedroom it provided, but also for the ability to connect with other moms that were going through similar situations. She valued being able to share her own story with new moms to help them, and she liked hearing other families’ stories because it created a sense of solidarity and comfort. The House gave her a safe space where she could relax. The Davidson Family’s journey after the birth of Mila and Davina has been challenging. At one point, they discussed transferring Mila to St. Louis to receive the treatment she needed, but fortunately the doctors decided to keep her at Mercy in Springfield! Mila had hydrocephalus, causing severe swelling in her head and surgery was needed to relieve the fluid on her brain. Mila completed surgery successfully and the girls have been home since August. They are doing better every day, and the Davidsons are so thankful to have their family all under one roof. They are extremely grateful to the Ronald McDonald House for the support they provided as their family’s two new beautiful gifts began to grow and develop.
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