Back to Back to heaveneaven
Diagnosis: Anencephaly
By Laytricia
Derrick and I had wanted another child but at the time felt it wasn't the best timing. We were entering our final year of his recruiting duty
tour and he worked so many hours that he wouldn't be able to enjoy the pregnancy with me. He is active duty in the United States Marine Corp and
that would mean travel with a new baby to a new destination.
Upon return from a business trip for my job on October 19,2009, I started suffering from extreme exhaustion and went to see my doctor. She
decided to send me for some tests and blood work but also took a urine sample for pregnancy test. She came back within five minutes and told me
that no further testing was needed as I was pregnant! I didn't know what to say but was instead thinking of how was I going to tell my husband and
how is this possible because I was wearing my contraceptive ring at the time.
An ultrasound two days later confirmed that I was 6 weeks pregnant. I didn't know why, but as the pregnancy progressed, I never felt happy or
contented as I did with my previous pregnancies. This child would make number four for us.
The entire time, I was always worried that something was wrong or if my baby would live. Even with therapy sessions, I couldn't shake the feeling.
I suffered with hyperemesis (extreme nausea and vomiting) the first three and a half months as I did with my other children, but in addition, my
uterus always felt heavy early on and uncomfortable.
In the early hours of January 4, in my fourth month, I began bleeding with no cramps or other symptoms. They had me come in for an ultrasound the
next afternoon to be sure things were OK with the baby. The technician first did a traditional ultrasound but couldn't see the baby's head so she
then did a vaginal high definition ultrasound and discovered a problem. She stopped the ultrasound and went to get the doctor who came in and gave
us the heartbreaking news. The baby had Anencephaly.
A friend had come with me because my husband wasn't able to come. My husband was called to the hospital and we were given our choices. We both
agreed on a D & C surgery because we personally couldn't bear to carry the pregnancy full term and deliver a baby we could not take home. On January
8, 2010, our angel went back to heaven and I felt so very empty. I was 17 weeks.
For us, it is a day to day task of dealing with the pain and healing from our loss. Though we did not intend to get pregnant, we had just begun
to get excited about our soon-to-be born baby. I do not know what the future hold for more children. I do however,take comfort in knowing one day
we will see our baby again in Heaven where he will be whole and loved again.
