Having a baby is meant to be an exciting time, but for one Tampa couple, their dream quickly turned into a full-on nightmare.
At 14 weeks into her pregnancy, Catherine Mornhineway, already a mom of three, was building up to her ultrasound that would provide her and her partner, Andrew Ford, their first opportunity to see their newborn.
Catherine's morning sickness had come to an end, and she had begun to feel the baby kicking. It was meant to be an exciting time.
However, Catherine and Andrew were told by healthcare professionals that their unborn baby had a condition known as anencephaly, a rare condition that affects one in 5,250 babies.
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"It occurs when the fetal brain and skull don’t develop in your uterus as expected," the Cleveland Clinic states. "You can lower your risk by taking the recommended dose of folic acid before and during pregnancy."
Babies with the condition usually die within a few days or even hours, with most pregnancies coming to an end in a miscarriage.
It was confirmed that Catherine's baby had the condition after a second ultrasound, where she and Andrew discovered they were having a baby girl.
Doctors explained to the pair that most people decide a termination is best in this situation, but after seeing a clip from Grey’s Anatomy involving a woman having similar heartbreaking news, Catherine's mind was made up that she would carry the baby to full term.
Speaking to the Tampa Bay Times, Catherine said: "I came across a Grey's Anatomy clip about a character on the show that had a baby with this condition. And she went along with the pregnancy and donated organs [to other babies], and it really touched me."
The baby, named Haven, was born on December 11 at Florida Brandon Hospital and survived four days in the NICU.
Andrew told Fox13: "With the little bit of time that we got with her, we just wouldn't trade any of it."
With permission from the hospital, Catherine and Andrew took Haven out to the bereavement garden, though the baby sadly died a short time after.
"She passed on my chest, and, you know, we were all just kind of snuggled into bed, and I just couldn't think of a more beautiful way to say goodbye," Andrew added.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].
Callum Jones