When Rebecca was 18 weeks pregnant, her doctor told us she was very concerned about the baby’s growth. She ordered a chromosome test, which came back positive for Trisomy-16. We learned that Trisomy-16 almost always results in a miscarriage in the first trimester. It is incredibly rare for a baby with Trisomy-16 to survive into the second trimester, as ours had. Because it is so rare, no one could give us a good idea of what to expect. We did know that Trisomy-16 causes severe growth restriction in the womb.
Over the next two weeks, the baby only grew as much as a normal baby would grow in five days. She was now three weeks behind. She also had very little amniotic fluid and was folded up in the womb with her legs up over her head. The doctor told us she expected a stillbirth. We left the office feeling beaten down and numb.
So we began to pray. That same night, we reached out to our pastor to ask our church to pray with us. We asked our families and friends to pray. We prayed that God would spare our child’s life.
Then, Rebecca couldn’t feel the baby moving anymore. When we called her obstetrician, they brought us in right away. The doctor pulled out an ultrasound machine and put it on Rebecca’s belly. We tried to brace for news we knew that no one can ever prepare for.
“Heart rate looks good,” said the doctor.
We kept praying for this baby. At the next visit to Rebecca’s obstetrician, it seemed like the amniotic fluid levels looked a smidge better. And the baby had grown a little faster than before. Hope began to grow in our hearts.
The baby was a long way from safety, however. At the time we first learned of any problem, her estimated weight was less than 200 grams. Our doctors told us that she would need to grow to at least 500 grams before she would be viable outside the womb. But growing was precisely what she was having trouble with. The next weeks were difficult as we imagined the baby’s vital signs plummeting with nothing we could do. We closely tracked her progress. July 1st – 198 grams. July 15th – 272 grams. July 31st – 369 grams. Because they didn’t know what to expect, Rebecca began going to appointments two or even three times a week.
Over this time, our baby was inundated with prayer. The elders of our church gathered around us and prayed. Our home group and pastor came to our house and prayed. Our families prayed. Their churches prayed. Many of our coworkers prayed. Our friends prayed. We got word that our friends’ parents, churches, and small groups were praying for our baby. And of course we prayed. We prayed that God would spare our baby’s life against the odds. Not because he had to, and certainly not because we deserved it. We simply asked for his mercy.
On August 12th, the baby had reached a viable size. If push came to shove, she would have a chance outside the womb.
But as prayers continued, the baby seemed content to stay inside. She grew to 600 grams, then 700, and somewhere along the line we stopped paying so much attention to her size and focused more on gestational age. We celebrated the 25-week mark, because survival rates improve to about 90% at this point. We celebrated 34 weeks because cerebral arteries are more mature at this point. And still she hung on.
Adelaide Grace Shivers was born on October 16th, 2019 at 36 weeks 1 day and 2 lb 10 oz. She was breathing well and her APGAR scores were terrific. Because of her small size and a heart condition, she has been in the NICU and intermediate care nursery at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital since then. She has excellent nurses and doctors.
We give God praise and thanks for Adelaide’s life and we are deeply grateful for every prayer and every praying person who has been a part of her story. Thank you all for your kindness and care for us and for Adelaide.
What a difference a year makes. On December 9th, 2019 we were very busy getting everything prepared to bring Adelaide home that night for the first time after 55 days in the NICU. She's come so far in a year! We are so thankful for her and how well she is doing at this point!
This year we are preparing in a different way....preparing for Baby Shivers #2 who we expect to join us on June 23rd of 2021. I'm 12 weeks pregnant today and so far the baby is looking great! We are praying for a less eventful pregnancy this round.
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Baby Stay Connected to Family and Friends
A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Baby's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?
A year ago today!
Baby Shivers #2Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.Help Baby Stay Connected to Family and Friends