Mom Of Baby Girl Born 12 Weeks Early: 'She Is Such A Fighter'

CUTCHOGUE, NY — A couple whose baby girl was born 12 weeks early is facing the future with optimism, strength — and the prayers and support of the North Fork community solidly behind them.

Jess Dunne, a popular chef on the North Fork and co-founder of North Fork Roasting Co., gave birth recently to her first child with Christian Schott — a baby girl the proud parents named Nova Rae Schott.

According to its definition, a "supernova" is a powerful and brilliant stellar explosion.

And that, Dunne said, is exactly how she describes her child, fighting fiercely in the neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU, at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset.

From the first, Dunne, who lives on the North Fork and grew up in Southold, has shared the emotional journey of giving birth to a premature baby with others on social media, updating the many praying for Nova Rae with photos and posts about her progress.

The community, in turn, has opened its arms to carry her through: A GoFundMe page, "Super Nova Rae," was created by Dunne's friend Madison Fender.

"On Monday, August 31 at 9:50 pm, Nova Rae was born 12 weeks early," the page said. "She was delivered at 28 weeks and weighed 1 lb., 3 oz., and was only 9 inches long, making her a micro preemie."

Fender added: "2020 has been quite the year, I think we can all agree on that! Jess met Christian after a year of unexpected chaos and essentially having to 'start life over.'"

Their love, she said, grew quickly and strongly, and soon they were blessed with the news of a baby girl on the way.

"This was an exciting surprise for all of us and we couldn't wait to meet baby Nova. Jess has wanted to be a mother for as long as she can remember, and feels it was her purpose in life," Fender said.

Jess' pregnancy, she said, was going well at first but, as the weeks progressed, she began suffering from severe migraines. And her doctors were concerned about her blood pressure rising, making her at risk for superimposed preeclampsia, a "dangerous pregnancy complication" characterized by high blood pressure that can lead to serious, even fatal, complications for both the mother and baby, Fender said.

In early August, Jess was admitted into the hospital multiple times for having "stroke level" high blood pressure.

"Doctors went back and forth on whether or not to deliver, but the most important thing was to keep the baby cooking in the oven as long as possible," Fender said. "After two weeks of uncertainty and trips to the ER . . . the decision was made and baby Nova entered the world!"

The journey, she added, has been "traumatic" for Jess and Christian. "And as exciting as it is to be able to watch Nova grow, they are just getting started with the long haul," Fender wrote. "Doctors are predicting that Nova will be in the NICU for 90 days, and Jess has already been back to the ER for postpartum preeclampsia. Medical expenses have begun to roll in and Christian hasn't been able to work for almost a month, and counting," she said.

Basic expenses, such as gas and hospital parking, have been adding up, Fender said, and being able to visit their daughter every day while keeping a roof over their heads is a top priority.

But, she added, the support of friends and family has been overwhelming. "We have had a lot of people reach out offering to help in any way they can which is why I decided to create this page," she said. "Any little bit will help give this new family peace of mind so they can focus on their baby girl growing strong and healthy. She is a fighter, she is strong, she is living up to her name: Super Nova! Though she be but little, she is fierce."

Speaking with Patch, Dunne said she has tried to be open about the couple's experience with their preemie because it helps them to stay positive, knowing so many people are rooting for them in the community.

And, she said, her story has touched others: "It’s so amazing. So many people have reached out to me all over the world — based on hashtags I’ve been using on Instagram — telling me their stories. It’s inspiring."

Friends and family are rallying to cheer on Nova, Dunne said.

"We feel the power of everyone’s support and prayers," she said. "We are taking it day by day, but she is making us so proud."

Nova Rae, she said, turned one week old Monday and "each day, has been progressing, which is such a weight lifted, each time we leave her. We’re hoping to be able to hold her for the first time this week, which I know will be the most beautiful moment for both of us. It has been extremely hard for both of us to process that she is here already — especially not being able to hold her."

But the couple finds strength in one another, sharing their emotions every step of the way as they champion their baby girl.

"She is honestly such a fighter and living up to her Super Nova name," Dunne said.

Nova Rae's story can be found @super_nova_rae.

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.