Today my cousin Valarie gave birth to a little girl named Brooklyn Dawn. Brooklyn has Trisomy 18, a chromosomal disorder, and we were told this child would most likely die during birth. We were told if she were born alive, by some miracle, she would not be given any treatment and would simply be left to die in her mothers arms because my cousin is on Medicaid. Valarie's husband said he could not handle being in the room when the baby was born because he didn't want to be present incase the child was born dead.
Well today lots of miracles have happened. Miss Brooklyn was tricky and flipped herself rightside up in a breech presentation, forcing doctors to perform a c-section on my cousin. Brooklyn was born alive and came out crying. She was 5lbs 11oz, 18 inches long and received the birth certificate all the doctors said she'd never get. The doctors told my cousin that Brooklyn would not grow to be over 4lbs. Well, she was nearly 6lbs :) She is so weak they know she could not have survived labor, so the c-section was a miracle.
After she arrived, despite the doctors saying they'd do nothing to help save the baby, a specialist bagged the baby, put her on oxygen once she was stable and even helped Valarie try to breastfeed her. And will continue to treat the baby and keep her alive as long as possible.
Brooklyns organs are very weak but they expect her to live at least a couple days. My aunt says the baby looks like a sick kitten and her cry is very weak and sounds like a whimper. They call is a "trisomy cry".
Another miracle, Valaries husband decided to be there for his wife and go to the hospital with her. He wasn't present when Brooklyn was born only because they allow one person in the OR and Valarie requested that my aunt be that person. Her husband is there with her now though and I'm so happy for that.
I know Brooklyns life will be far too short and this situation will not have a very happy ending...But in this moment I cannot help but be thankful and happy that this little girl beat the odds. Her mommy got to hold her little girl she worked so hard to grow for 9 months and kiss her face and see that little girl look back at her. They got to take pictures with her that they will be able to keep forever and they will have their memories of their time with Brooklyn for the rest of their lives.
This is a very bittersweet moment but we are all so happy that Brooklyn is in this world and alive right now. We will save the sadness for another day.
**Update**
Brooklyn died June 13th at home in her mommys arms. She lived 12 days.
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