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| Abigail Rose Beutler with her parents (via Congresswoman Beutler Facebook page) |
A
few weeks ago we posted the sad news that prolife Rep. Jaime Herrera
Beutler's (R-WA) unborn daughter was diagnosed with Potter's Syndrome,
with essentially a zero percent chance to survive long after birth.
We're pleased to report Abigail is alive and well, breathing on her own,
but in need of a kidney transplant. She was born on July 15 and was two
pounds and 12 ounces!
Congresswoman Herrera Beutler shared the news on her Facebook page.
Through the outreach of a parent who had faced a similar situation,
we found a group of courageous and hopeful doctors at Johns Hopkins who
were willing to try a simple, but unproven treatment by amnioinfusion.
Every week for five weeks, doctors injected saline into the womb to give
Abigail's lungs a chance to develop. With each infusion we watched via
ultrasound as Abigail responded to the fluid by moving, swallowing and
“practice breathing.” The initial lack of fluid in the womb caused
pressure on her head and chest, but over the course of the treatment we
were able to watch them reform to their proper size and shape. Her feet,
which were clubbed in early ultrasounds, straightened. There was no way
to know if this treatment would be effective or to track lung
development, but with hearts full of hope, we put our trust in the Lord
and continued to pray for a miracle.
A day after the fifth
infusion, Jaime went in to pre-term labor. After four days of trying to
prevent pre-term delivery, Abigail prevailed and arrived. The doctors
and nurses were prepared for the worst - but immediately after she was
born, she drew a breath and cried! After a few minutes, it was clear
that her lungs were very well developed for a baby born so early. The
infusions had stopped the Potter’s Sequence.
