Typically, w amniotic band tangles, the limb would already be gone by the time doctors found the complication. My sister’s doctors told her there was nothing she could do; the baby would be born without a leg and they advised her to abort.
-
-
Show this thread
-
My sister never once entertained the idea of abortion. Mind you, this was an unplanned pregnancy; she was handling all this alone from the day she found out she was pregnant. My family quickly researched everything we could on the complication and called every top hospital.
Show this thread -
We ended up at Columbia for an emergency surgery attempting to laser off the band and save the leg/cut other hanging bands that could potentially damage the child, i.e. wrap around her neck.
Show this thread -
It did not come without risk – the baby was not yet viable – but was considered the best option because of all the surrounding circumstances. Our family prayed, our loved ones prayed, my father arranged for our church to dedicate masses to my sister and the baby.
Show this thread -
When we arrived at Columbia, my sister was strongminded but still in shock. Though she was told the baby would not survive if there were complications and she went into early labor, I remember her packing a bag full of baby clothes the night before.
Show this thread -
I remember gently asking her why she was doing this, and she told me, “just in case I go into labor, the baby needs clothes.” I nodded along. After a restless night in NYC, we go to the surgeons’ office and first have an ultrasound.
Show this thread -
. My sister, myself, and my father are all in the room looking at images of what appears to be a healthy baby. No one is speaking. The doctor will not tell us anything. At least four other doctors come in, again avoiding our hesitant questions.
Show this thread -
Finally, the doctors inform us that they have no idea how it happened, but the baby is perfectly healthy. Her legs are now identical in size. The band is gone. She’s kicking nonstop. There is not a trace of damage.
Show this thread -
“Even if I wanted to perform surgery on her, there is nothing here to be done. This baby is perfect,” I remember a doctor telling us.
Show this thread -
My niece is now thriving, a healthy and happy joy. She has superficial marks on her leg from where the band once was, but there is no nerve or muscle damage. My sister, though younger, is the strongest little girl I know. And as she’s simply put it, God is good.
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.