It is with great joy and deep sorrow that we share that we are 13 weeks pregnant. However, last week our newest baby was diagnosed with a very similar condition to our daughter Sophie. At our early ultrasound this past week, they were unable to see our baby’s skull, a condition known as Acrania (you can read an explanation of the condition at http://karinneclaire.blogspot.com/p/what-is-acrania.html, but doing a search may bring up disturbing photos). While anencephaly (the condition Sophie was diagnosed with) is when the brain has not developed, Acrania is when the skull has not developed, and by 20 weeks into pregnancy, the conditions will basically look identical and without a brain our baby will not be able to survive long after birth. None of our doctors have ever seen something like this happen twice, although there are reported cases. There are no known causes and very little is known about Acrania.
We are absolutely devastated and in shock. We alternate between disbelief and deep grief. While we have many questions, we do know that our God is good, he loves us deeply, and he is and will be with us. We do not know what he is doing, but we know that his plans are good because he is good. We see that clearly in Jesus. Our hope is in Him and we are trusting him to sustain us moment by moment in the midst of our weariness and heartbrokenness (Psalm 42:5).
Please be praying for:
- Miraculous healing of our baby’s skull and brain
- God’s sustaining strength and perspective in the months ahead of pregnancy
- We can clearly hear from Him as He leads us.
Thank you so much for your prayers and tremendous support around us as we step into this new journey, one that is all too familiar but certain to also be very unique in what God has for our now-family-of-four and the world around us.
- A Time to be Silent and a Time to Speak - October 29, 2020
- Teaching Them to Hope, Birthday After Birthday. - January 15, 2020
- A Taste of Hope Fulfilled – Briella Dawn’s Birth Story - August 3, 2018
