Carrying baby with genetic disorder incompatible with life
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2015 7:47 pm
Hi. I'm here again.
I am 17 weeks pregnant with my third child (and after three miscarriages). At week 11 we found out the our baby has trisomy 13, which is a genetic disorder which is described as incompatible with life. Doctors first urged us to abort the baby but I have decided to carry the baby to term. There is a chance the baby will die in the womb or be a stillborn or be alive for only a short time, at most two days. The ultrasounds revealed many abnormalities which will make it almost impossible for my baby to live outside my womb. It has been a very difficult journey up to now. And since I first sought out this forum with my depression I feel like I may be slipping again. I have good days but there are also many bad days where I can't function. The despair the hopelessness is too much. I know I will see my baby, whom we named Joseph, again in heaven. But facing the reality of having my baby die in my arms get too overwhelming. I don't quite know the reason why this is happening to me since this is such a rare genetic disorder. With the physical hardships of the pregnancy I have to deal with this enormous emotional stress. I am also having a hard time praying and crying out to God now that all the tests confirm this is my reality. I don't believe He will heal my son completely so I just feel beaten. I know this is not what God wants from me through this situation. I have so many people praying for me but this is such a lonely road. My in laws who are also pastor and pastor's wife don't understand why I chose this route. But I can't kill my baby. It's hard. I don't like that we live together. Makes it harder.
Sorry for the long post. I just need to vent and ask for prayers that I know what I need to do and to keep my focused on God. Thank you.
I am 17 weeks pregnant with my third child (and after three miscarriages). At week 11 we found out the our baby has trisomy 13, which is a genetic disorder which is described as incompatible with life. Doctors first urged us to abort the baby but I have decided to carry the baby to term. There is a chance the baby will die in the womb or be a stillborn or be alive for only a short time, at most two days. The ultrasounds revealed many abnormalities which will make it almost impossible for my baby to live outside my womb. It has been a very difficult journey up to now. And since I first sought out this forum with my depression I feel like I may be slipping again. I have good days but there are also many bad days where I can't function. The despair the hopelessness is too much. I know I will see my baby, whom we named Joseph, again in heaven. But facing the reality of having my baby die in my arms get too overwhelming. I don't quite know the reason why this is happening to me since this is such a rare genetic disorder. With the physical hardships of the pregnancy I have to deal with this enormous emotional stress. I am also having a hard time praying and crying out to God now that all the tests confirm this is my reality. I don't believe He will heal my son completely so I just feel beaten. I know this is not what God wants from me through this situation. I have so many people praying for me but this is such a lonely road. My in laws who are also pastor and pastor's wife don't understand why I chose this route. But I can't kill my baby. It's hard. I don't like that we live together. Makes it harder.
Sorry for the long post. I just need to vent and ask for prayers that I know what I need to do and to keep my focused on God. Thank you.