‘Sophia’s mouth, hands and feet are severely deformed. She might not survive birth,’ they said.
We were devastated. We had four weeks to carry the weight of this news. It was a challenging time, but we remained hopeful that our baby would be okay. I questioned my strength, and if I could handle this, but I had no choice but to face whatever was to come.
Courtesy of Natalie Weaver
Sophia’s birth was the exact moment our lives changed forever. She was immediately whisked away to the other side of the delivery room. I felt helpless, while many doctors and nurses worked on her. ‘Is she okay? Is she okay?’ I asked again and again, hopeful they had made a mistake about the ultrasound, but no one would answer. Miraculously Sophia was breathing on her own, and when they laid her on my chest, a voice in my mind said, ‘comfort her, you need to comfort her.’ I was in shock as my little girl stared into my eyes. I had never seen anyone like her, and the moment I reached out to touch her, she was gone, taken away for testing. Hours went by, and my husband was the first to see her. I remember him coming back to tell me about her and proudly stated that he was the first to change her diaper. He gave me the strength and courage to face our new reality, and so I went to see my baby girl. The first time I held Sophia, I began to sob. All the shock and fear faded, and I knew at that moment that the immediate love I felt for my child would give me the strength to be the mom she needed me to be. I knew I would do whatever it takes to care for my child and fight for her life. I found my strength in Sophia.
Courtesy of Natalie Weaver
Courtesy of Natalie Weaver
