At the age of 19, when she sat in her OB’s office mentally and physically preparing herself to get genetic testing done, the pressure she felt was uncontrollable. She knew that no matter what the results came out as, neither would she give away her baby, nor would her love decrease.
However, Kimburli’s OB insisted that the couple get the testing done so that the birth of a baby with Down syndrome or any other issue wouldn’t be a surprise for the couple.
Although initially reluctant to be ‘prepared’, Kimburli agreed, knowing she was not at risk in any way. Most of her pregnancy, Kimburli had this gut feeling that her baby might have Down Syndrome. Although there was no family history, the doctors were delighted, and Kimburli did not know the condition. However, her intuition was extraordinary, and she did not know where the unshakable feelings came from.
After the testing, Kimburli patiently waited for the results, praying for her baby to be fine; however, after a few days, she received an email stating that the baby looked healthy, but there was an echogenic focus. It meant that there was a tiny calcification on the baby’s heart. It shook her up a bit, and she repeated reading that line, trying for it to be a bad dream. She was at work, fighting through all the feelings, sobbing in the bathroom stall of her office.
She later also got the call in which the nurse reassured her that there was nothing to be worried about as the genetic screenings were negative, but the feelings that repeatedly disturbed and bothered her never left. As time passed, it was nearly time to deliver the baby when she researched Down syndrome. With all the information she could collect, Kimburli herself analyzed every sonogram and felt relieved when she was convinced that it was just her intuition and the baby would be fine.
On the night of her due date, her water broke, but she did not realise it too soon. She then went to the hospital for delivery, but for hours, no progress was seen, which is why Kimburli had to go through the insertion of the balloon catheter to dilate her. She then got the epidural, and after 25 hours of pain, she held her beautiful baby girl, Scarlett Rose. When she saw her husband, Kimburli knew something was wrong; his expression said it all. The baby was quiet and had a purplish complexion.
All her fears and intuition came true when the doctor broke the news of Scarlett having a congenital disability. She could instantly interpret the doctor’s meaning, and Kimburli did not know how she would feel meeting Scarlett.
After a few minutes of birth, Scarlett was rushed to the NICU because of several issues, including her heart defect, low platelet count, feeding issues, and the regulation of oxygen in her body was not fine either.
The doctors soon confirmed that the baby has Down Syndrome and WPW, a rare heart condition. However, things felt different when Kimburli held Scarlett for the first time. She realised Scarlett was a blessing in her life and had nothing to grieve about. The diagnosis isn’t her fear but has become her strength as she gives Scarlett more love, care, and attention. Scarlett is her unexpected yet perfect blessing!
