Our First Encounter with Trisomy 18
Posted by Geraldine
Although this probably isn’t going to be particularly easy for us, as my husband, Glenn, said before, we would like to share some experiences, thoughts and memories of wee Keren, with you, and where else to start, but at the beginning.
Throughout the pregnancy, I had many scans, as they suspected the baby was very small, and they wanted to check the baby’s rate of growth. The scans did not show that the baby I was carrying had Trisomy 18.
It was on April 7th, at one of these many scans, after having more measurements done , that the consultant decided that I should have labour induced. Karen, the midwife who was assigned to us that morning, was wonderful and really helped to put us at ease.
I was 38 weeks + 3 days. As induction involves continuous monitoring of the baby, it was obvious that the baby was not moving very much, and so I was rushed to theatre. Although I realized that a caesarean was major surgery, I was actually quite relieved to know that I would see our baby soon, and that this was God’s plan.
4lb 3oz
Keren was born weighing 4lb 3oz, and after doctors worked on her for some time, (I remember the theatre nurse reassuringly saying to us that they were just “pinking her up”), we got to see her.
We both immediately thought that Keren looked like her big sister, Kezia. Instead of getting to hold her though, we just got to touch her wee face briefly. The consultant paediatrician told us that our daughter was very ill, and she had to be taken away, for further care.
Glenn and I were quite numb with the shock of it all, but we also had a deep assurance that God was in control of the situation. The same God who had saved our souls 5 years previous, was still by our side and would never leave us nor forsake us.
After leaving recovery, I was taken to the ward, and Keren was brought in for a few minutes, so that we could see her before her transfer to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) in Antrim Area Hospital.
As I had undergone surgery, I was unable to go with her, and had to wait until the following day to travel. Glenn stayed with me for a few hours, and then drove up to Antrim, that evening, to be with Keren.
The staff in the Maternity Ward, at the Causeway Hospital had been very thoughtful, and taken a couple of Polaroids of Keren, so I had those beside me. That evening a few family members, and close friends, one being our Pastor, visited, and their company was very much appreciated. I think it would have been a very long night without them.
Next…SCBU
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8 Responses to “Our First Encounter with Trisomy 18”
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Really pleased to read the first part of Kerens story and feel really touched that you all have chosen to help the childrens hospice in this wonderful way. May you be encouraged by the Lord as you as a family add to Kerens story over the coming weeks and I will pray that it will be a blessing not only to you as a family but to others who will log on. Love to Jed and Kezia Val x
Thank you, Valerie for visiting, please call back, as we intend to update regularly, we really do appreciate your comments, and thoughts.
Jed says to tell you he loves you, and thanks for the airport!
Kezia says thanks for the doll, and thanks for visiting us, and for staying with us for so long!
Thanks again!
Got onto visit the site last nite before church but didnt get to comment, so taking a few mins in work here. The site is looking very good (Glenn, 3 hrs on phone to Armen was worth it)! Geraldine, very touching wee story, i look forward to reading more on wee Keren. i’ll never forget the day that i got to hold her! such a wee darling! say hi to Jed and Kezia!
Jo x
Thank you Joanna,
3 hours on the phone quite a few times, to Armen in Australia, were required! (and in all probability there will be more!)
Glad you like the site, be sure to call back!
Absolutely wonderful idea to post a web site like this, wee Keren was beautiful just like her big sister (and her mummy) and although her life seemed very short to us, it was exactly the number of days God had planned for her. We remember the weekend you were told she had a dark mark where her kidney was on the scan and you asked us to pray that whatever happened God would be glorified… and we believe He was, through her wee life, and her death, and still continuing. God Bless you all. Cindy & Tommy xo
Thank you,Cindy & Tommy for your comments, we really appreciate you visiting, and thank you again, for all your support, both prayerful and practical!
Glenn & Geraldine
Just to let you know that I have had a look for the first time today and I’ve only one thing to say…
Wonderful.
Love you all so much
xo
Mum has had a look too…she says ‘to God be the glory’ that you have been able to do this x
That’s great Taleen, glad you like it! (your big brother had quite a big hand in how it looks!)
We hope God will be glorified through this, as it was Him who brought us through this…and gave us His peace in our hearts.