Sidelines National Support Network  / Volunteer Spotlight  / October_Volunteer

Volunteer of the Month
  October 2010
Kristin Wentz-Krumwiede

 
  Volunteer Kristin Wentz-Krumwiede and her husband, Chad, and their four children

 
The Krumwiede family serves as Ambassador Family for the March of Dimes for the state of North Dakota

Name: Kristin Wentz-Krumwiede
  Home: Bismarck, North Dakota
  Husband's Name: Chad
  Children's Names and Ages: Delainey, age 6; Shelby and Avery, age 4; and Brody, age 2

"As someone who has experienced infertility, multiple losses and high-risk pregnancies I felt that it is important to have a support system out there to assist you in what can be a very scary time in your life. I wanted to be able to help others who helped me when I was in the same situation and scared."

"Listen to your doctors, but trust your instinct and don't be afraid to ask for help," are the words of advice from Sidelines volunteer Kristin Wentz-Krumwiede.  She vividly remembers the fear of the unknown she experienced during her pregnancies with Delainey, age 6; twins Shelby and Avery, age 4; and Brody, age 2.

Delainey was born at 36 weeks' gestation in 2003.  During this pregnancy, Kristin suffered from hyperemesis, and she was on modified bedrest beginning at 25 weeks.  Labor was induced due to pre-eclampsia; fortunately, Delainey did not have to spend any time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Kristin's twin girls were born in 2005 at 34 weeks' gestation.  She experienced some complications such as spotting and hyperemesis, and at 22 weeks, she was diagnosed with shortening of the cervix and placed on bedrest at home.  During this time, the rest of her complications seemed to disappear, Kristin said.

Allowed to resume regular activities at Thanksgiving, Kristin woke up not feeling well on Dec. 22.  She was swollen and puffy, had a severe headache and was nauseated.  Unable to get in to see her doctor, she saw a nurse practitioner, but felt that her concerns were brushed off when she was sent home.  

On Christmas Day, Kristin explained that she was so miserable she could barely function.  Complaining of a terrible headache and blurred vision, she went to the hospital and my vision had begun to blur, so she went to the hospital. Again she was sent home.

"That evening I began vomiting and shaking; my husband rushed me to the hospital, where I was finally diagnosed with HELLP syndrome," she said. "My twins were delivered only 36 minutes after I was given this diagnosis.  I spent the following 72 hours in a near medicine-induced coma, allowing my body to repair and heal. My girls spent 11 days in the NICU and were able to go home after that time."

Kristin's son, Brody, was born in December 2007.  She explained that her pregnancy with Brody began as an identical twin pregnancy, and at 15 weeks, they lost the second twin.

"During the time of the loss I also suffered from a subchorionic bleed," Kristin said. "Our son was delivered at 36 weeks' gestation because of HELPP Syndrome as well, but required no NICU time."

Kristin signed up as a Sidelines volunteer in January 2006 so that she could help other moms-to-be dealing with complicated pregnancies.  She remains in contact with one of her first referrals and says that their lives seemed to mirror one another's.

"We created an amazing bond that I will never forget," she said.

In addition to being a busy mom of four and full-time college student, Kristin and her family are very involved with the March of Dimes.  In fact, the Krumwiedes serve as the March of Dimes' North Dakota Ambassador Family for 2010.  She loves spending time with family, and when she has a bit of spare time, enjoys going for walks and reading.