Every parent’s worst nightmare is discovering that their child has a serious disability or illness.
Many times, genetic disorders or disabilities are found during routine prenatal testing and, sadly, some women terminate a pregnancy when faced with such news.
With one birth defect, in particular, medical advancements in recent years are preventing abortion and allowing children to live long, full lives.
Approximately eight babies are born in the U.S. each day with the birth defect spina bifida.
Spina bifida, meaning “split spine,” can range in severity, but generally affects how the brain, spinal cord, or their protective covering develop.
This defect can have both genetic and environmental causes, such as poor diet, and can cause permanent paralysis, bladder and bowel issues, and learning disabilities that can range from mild to severe.
Just 50 years ago, only roughly 10 percent of children born with spina bifida survived beyond a few years, primarily due to infection.
Now, however, it is estimated that 90 percent live into adulthood – and many lead full lives.
So it is shocking that more than 60 percent of unborn children who are found to have the defect are aborted when parents are given the diagnosis following prenatal testing.
Mommy Underground recently reported on one of these tragic cases, in which parents in the U.K. decided to abort their son who was diagnosed with spina bifida.
Doctors in the U.K.’s socialized “profit before life” medical system did not give them other options and encouraged the abortion. Their son survived the abortion procedure and was born alive, living an hour outside the womb.
One pro-life activist told Life News that, “The right to life should be extended to all, but for some that right is seriously jeopardized because of a prenatal diagnoses. Our goal is to educate on the disturbing trend of abortion for those diagnosed with disabilities. Studies have shown that unborn and newborn children with disabilities are among the least protected members of the human family.”
Fortunately, physicians have come a long way in their understanding of spina bifida and new treatment options.
Among the most promising option is in utero surgery.
Although it is not without its risks, including miscarriage or pre-term birth, in utero surgery can vastly lessen the severity of the disorder, and many children can learn to walk unassisted by three years old.
The first of these surgeries was conducted in the U.S. in 2011, and the results are amazing to behold.
One of the first children to be operated on was named Faith because her parents believed in giving her the best life possible by taking a chance on the frightening then-new surgical procedure.
Mom Colette says. “Once I learned about the possibility of in utero repair, I wanted to do it. By the time I got to Houston, I had already made up my mind. And once I make up my mind, that’s it. We wanted to give our baby the best chance possible,” as reported on the Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital website.
More recently, another family shared their story with the media, in which they received the devastating diagnosis during routine prenatal testing at 20 weeks.
Parents are almost always presented with abortion as an option in these cases, but Roman Dinkel’s parents are pro-life, citing that the left’s “compassionate” abortion argument is outdated and completely wrong.
While surgery can be performed following birth, in utero surgery offers a chance for healing before the physical stress of childbirth, and the Dinkels decided the risks were well worth it.
A video of little Roman’s first steps at age two-and-a-half have gone viral and for good reason.
He can be seen absolutely beaming with pride as he tells the family dog, “Look, Maggie! I’m walking!”
He is now able to walk without crutches or a walker thanks to physical therapy and is a happy and energetic little boy.
His parents are so thankful for the surgical procedure that increased his quality of life by leaps and bounds, and for the outpouring of support they received.
“We do believe getting the fetal surgery gave him a higher chance [of being able] to walk,” [mom] Whitney told LifeSiteNews. “It’s been proven that fetal surgery allows you to function better.”
These two children, and dozens of others, have received a second chance at leading a long, full life because their parents fought to give them the life they deserve by going forward with surgery – and refusing to abort their children.
Doctors and parents are hopeful that these advancements continue — decreasing and eventually ending altogether — the abortion of children diagnosed with spina bifida and other birth defects.
As these families have proven, all life has value, and faith was their guide to give their children the best lives possible.
What do you think of these inspiring stories about children who received surgery to treat spina bifida in utero? Leave us your thoughts.