Ron and Genie’s third pregnancy was something of a surprise, and they chose to recognize it as a blessing. But then the concerns started piling up, including markers for Down syndrome and significant heart defects.
Adverse Diagnosis
When my husband and I learned that our unborn baby would not survive outside the womb, we were devastated. Kevin and I held on to each other for dear life. We wept as one, we prayed as one and we clung to God’s Word as one.
When you lose a baby during pregnancy, not only do you have to accept the fact that you’re not going to bring your baby home, but you also have to deal with massive hormone shifts and unpredictable emotions that hit you like a wave you never saw coming.
We learned to walk through an adverse pregnancy diagnosis when a routine ultrasound revealed that our baby girl had a fatal disorder.
As word spreads about our family’s situation, we find that people do not know what to say to someone carrying a baby who is going to die.
We know that our time with Pearl will be brief, so we do everything we can to prepare for our daughter’s birth.
When our other children ask questions about their preborn sister, we realize that only the truth will suffice.
How do you open a discussion with parents about a terminal diagnosis? Begin with preparation and prayer.