(RNN) - A pastor is asking for prayers from people all over the world as his wife and newborn daughter fight for their lives.
Pastor Daniel Villarreal Jr. posted on Facebook, with the hashtag #PrayersFromEveryNation, as his wife is suffering from a very rare disorder called HELLP Syndrome.
Villarreal’s wife, Jannelle Villarreal, gave birth to the couple’s newborn daughter, Eden Raine, on July 10 at 31 weeks, and the syndrome is life-threatening for both her and the baby.
HELLP Syndrome is a series of symptoms grouped together to form a disorder that affects pregnant woman. It is considered a severe version of preeclampsia, a disorder that affects woman during pregnancies.
The HELLP acronym stands for the series of symptoms that make up the syndrome. These symptoms are hemolysis, or the breakdown of red blood cells, elevated liver enzymes and a low platelet count.
The Grace Avenue Church, where Jannelle Villarreal is a pastor, is providing updates on the Villarreal family as they go through this tough time.
The July 13 update indicated that the new mother's liver and kidneys took a serious hit due to the HELLP syndrome. Fluid had taken up 70 percent of her lungs, but she received treatment to partially remove it.
Daniel Villarreal posted his own updates to his Facebook page, said that his wife’s condition has been improving, and thanked everyone for their prayers and love.
Baby Eden has been doing well in the neonatal intensive care unit and spending time with her father every day, according to the Grace Avenue Church.
Daniel Villarreal said that Eden is a miracle baby, after the couple lost a child to stillbirth at 21 weeks. People from all over the world have responded with prayers and well wishes for the family.
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