So many think that these babies aren’t capable of anything and that everything they do is a reflex. By talking to your friends and coworkers about this defect, we can hopefully decrease its frequency and decrease the number of aborted babies with anencephaly, which is currently at 95%. I think it’s important for people to know that these babies are more than their defect and deserve a chance at life.
Medicine
Our Hospital Tour
Brielle is 28 weeks today! We took a tour of the women’s center today. We met with Jamie today, who is wonderful and scheduled us a private tour when she heard Brielle has anencephaly. The staff there is all being told about our situation and they are all going to do everything they can to support us. I cannot begin to explain how much we appreciate this.
The building is very nice. The first floor has nice waiting rooms, a very nice bistro, restrooms, and a piano (added bonus). The second, third, and fourth floors are LDR and mother and baby rooms. David and I were very impressed with the facility and how kind and friendly everyone was.
Today was a very hard day for us. We, essentially, toured the place our daughter will die. And we had conversations about end of life care, treatment care, and harsh realities that David and I would rather ignore. Of course, we can’t ignore any of it and this is happening. I’m having tremendous anxiety. Each new week brings another helping of panic. I don’t want her to leave us and if I could have my way I’d prefer to stay pregnant forever.
I told David I don’t have a hole in my heart, a whole chunk, the whole heart is breaking off. He agreed and said that this is like watching her die in slow motion. If we could, we’d give her our heads. But that’s not how this works.
She’s not even gone yet, and this pain is more than our bodies can hold let alone comprehend.
Brielle’s 27 Week Ultrasound Pictures
Is Abortion Murder?
I used to attend the Village Church when I lived in Denton. Matt makes an excellent argument here on the realities of abortion. I really don’t think I could say it better myself. I’m posting the whole article, but the video clip is really the best part. Everything he says is spot on and I think he makes an excellent point, that the majority of the one million abortions that happen every year are not due to rape or the mother’s life being in danger, but based on the baby being an inconvenience.
The clip is really worth your time.
P.S. When transferring this post over to the blog I just attached the video clip, not the whole article.
Spina Bifida & Anencephaly
Sharing this from Luca Hill’s FB page, another sweet boy lost to anencephaly. Spina bifida and anencephaly are both neural tube defects.
DID YOU KNOW?
Before 1960 the survival rate for all forms of Spina Bifida was 10-12%. Doctors were certain of mental retardation and that all babies with Spina Bifida had an unacceptable quality of life. (NCBI.NIM.NIH.GOV) Doctors refused to treat a baby that was diagnosed with Spina Bifida.
Sound familiar?
Because of a strong push in medical equality, surgery within the first 48 hours of delivery, and developments in medical technology (shunt, fetal surgery) 91% of babies born with Spina Bifida live WELL past their first year of LIFE and live a life full of joy, happiness, and purpose. (http://www.spinabifidamoms.com/english/myths.html)
So…Why not ours?
Check out this little ball of sunshine, Evie Grace, LIVING with Spina Bifida and bringing so much sassiness and silliness to those who adore her.https://www.facebook.com/EviesWarriors?fref=ts
lovingbrielle.com 