Share Your Story Tuesday- Kaitlyn Sarah

When I found out that I was pregnant with my baby girl, I was a little surprised, but was very happy. I already had one daughter who was 2 when I found out out I was pregnant. At about 26 weeks, I had an ultrasound and they found an abnormality. I was referred to a specialist for an amniocentesis. A few weeks had passed, and by the time my results came back I was about 29-30 weeks. The results were that she had Trisomy 18, a genetic disorder, which they explained as incompatible with life. It basically means she shouldn’t survive outside the womb and if she did she would have multiple disabilities. 90% don’t survive past a year. I was going to the specialist 3 times a week after that so they could monitor her. On June 28th, 1996, I went to one of my specialist appointments and when they did the ultrasound they could not find her heartbeat. I was induced and delivered her on June 29 1996. To this day I think that was the hardest thing I have ever gone through in my life. But I also know that without her I wouldn’t be who I am today. She changed me in many ways. It’s been 22 years and some days it feels like yesterday. Her name is Kaitlyn Sarah, June 29th 1996.