September 30, 2010
You may or not be aware that Bryan and I are expecting our first child in February 2011. We were very excited to receive this news after two previous losses. We chose to keep quiet until we had made it through the first trimester when most issues occur. We were overjoyed to see our baby’s heart beating strongly on two ultrasounds, one at seven weeks and another at twelve weeks. Because I am not young, we chose to do various early prenatal tests. Our results were all good and within the normal range. We anxiously awaited our 20 week ultrasound to find out what were having and to confirm all was well.
Last Thursday we had a level 2 ultrasound. During this process we learned the good news that we are having a baby boy, but moments later found out that our baby had three markers for a fatal chromosome disorder called Trisomy 18 or Edwards Syndrome. At the time, I opted for an amniocentesis to know the exact fate of our unborn child. This past Monday we learned our baby has full Trisomy 18. As a family, we want people to be aware of how our lives having changed and will be changing. We also want to educate people on this syndrome that is now part of our baby’s life. This is not a disease and is not curable or fixable.
It is our upmost respect for our future son’s life and our strong family beliefs that we are continuing the pregnancy. Our family would like to welcome him into this world even if it is for a few minutes, hours, days, and if we are lucky, months.
Our lives have changed forever and we continue to learn more about Trisomy 18 each day and work with the terrific staff at North Memorial’s Maternal Fetal Care Unit. We don’t know what each day will bring, but we are blessed to have our baby no matter what the circumstances. We have named him Nicolas Norman Miller and pray for his safe arrival.
Please share this information with your friends, family and children. We want people to know that Trisomy 18 exists and is completely random. Our odds were greater for a healthy baby (99.96%) versus one with this syndrome (<.04%). There is nothing we can change.
Our family has experienced many highs and lows since this discovery. It is hard to always be strong. Please support myself, Bryan , Noelle, and Jena
Thank you and God Bless,
Natalie, Bryan
