Desirae is no stranger to Life Flight Network. Years ago while working in the Sawtooth Wilderness area of central Idaho, she was transported by Life Flight Network to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, ID, following an allergic reaction.
Expectant parents now, she and her partner, Justin, were looking forward to their next adventure together; however, this one proved to be more than even they anticipated. At just 29 weeks pregnant Desirae began experiencing severe abdominal pain, and Justin rushed her to Clearwater Valley Health in Orofino, ID, where doctors quickly determined she required emergent obstetric care at a larger hospital. The mounting snowstorm outside meant the helicopter could not safely fly; however, this did not prevent Life Flight Network from responding. With support from the paramedics of Clearwater County Ambulance, the flight crew transported Desirae by local ground ambulance to the awaiting fixed-wing aircraft in Lewiston, ID.

Baby Trevyn was born at just over 29 weeks at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, ID, and was cared for in their neonatal intensive care unit for two months before going home. Desirae and Justin agree that the rapid access to definitive medical treatment and the care provided by Life Flight Network and hospital staff were critical to Trevyn’s success. To see their thriving daughter today, one would never know the challenges faced that snowy night.

“The Life Flight Network crew was confident and calm, which made us feel so much better about the situation. We knew we were in the right hands,” said Desirae.