36 Weeks and Going Strong

Well, first of all I want to thank each and everyone who has commented, sent emails, texts and cards to us since we found out the news about Layne. And most of all, thank you for your constant prayers!! They mean SO much to me. I can sense God's overpowering peace and comfort surround me each day and especially now that the time is drawing near for us to met our precious little miracle. Layne truly is our miracle baby. Most Trisomy 18 babies don't make it to their due date, but she is beating the odds each day.

I was 36 weeks on Sept. 27th and saw my doctor on the 30th. We had an ultrasound done first to check her weight and position. She was up to 3 lbs 13 oz but was still 6 weeks behind on her growth (which is common with T18 babies). We could still see the VSD (ventricular septal defect) in her heart and her left kidney is holding more fluid than it was 7 weeks ago. We also saw that she is breech...she is definitely stubborn like her mother :) So now we are faced with whether we will have her vaginally or by C-section. This is something that I had been battling with in my mind from the moment we found out the devastating news. I knew that T18 babies don't handle the stress of normal labor well, as so many are stillborn. My doctor didn't want to perform a C-section because he didn't want to put me through major surgery, Layne not make it and then I have all of the grief and stress to deal with on top of my recovery. So...I turned it over to God. I know His ultimate plan is perfect and that He will take care of the situation for me. I am at total peace knowing that. My doctor and I discussed the need for a C-section if we want to give her the best chance of being born alive. At my appointment next week, we will have another ultrasound done to check her position and then determine where to go from there. If we decide on a C-section, Oct. 18th will be Layne's birthday.

It's hard to believe that 7 weeks has gone by so quickly and now we are approaching Layne's arrival. I am SO happy to finally get to see and hold my beautiful daughter, but at the same time, I am sad and scared to death knowing that I may have to let her go. No mother should have to bear this burden. But I hold to my faith and knowledge that God loves me and Layne more than we know and that He will be glorified through her life, however short or long it may be.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Jeremiah 1:5

"The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:17-19


Layne 28 weeks


Layne 30 weeks 4D


Holding her foot


Looks like she's thinking about something