When Abby Opp’s water broke only 25 weeks into her pregnancy, it was the start of a journey she and her family will never forget.
Abby and her husband Wayne — both residents of Mitchell — decided to visit the Avera Queen of Peace Hospital emergency room after she started experiencing uterine pain. Half an hour later, their daughter Mia was born.
“I was so scared,” Abby said. “But I remember thinking, ‘As long as she cries, we’re good,’ and she did right away.”
Weighing just over 1 pound, Mia was quickly transported by Careflight aircraft to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where she would spend the next 96 days. Her care team didn’t waste a second connecting her with the support she needed to survive.
Throughout Mia’s NICU stay, the Opp family was surrounded by the love and kindness of everyone they met — doctors, nurses, social workers and the many generous donors whose gifts helped Mia grow strong, just in time to spend the holiday season at home, healthy and happy.
Moms & Babies Are Close to Our Heart
This family benefited from several Avera Foundation programs to support women and children seeking health care services, including our Caring for Life fund.