‘ We spent a day at a time and learned to give thanks for another day of her life in my womb ‘, witnesses Kellen
My name is Kellen Reis, I am 30 years old, I’m a journalist and I live in Pindamonhangaba (São Paulo). I am married almost six years with Diogo, the father of my daughters and partner in the best and worst moments of my life. I want to share with you a part of those moments.
Photo: Daniel Mafra/cancaonova.com
Being a mother was the farthest thing from my mind at the age of 24 years. To date, just over two years, and we were starting to plan our future together when we were surprised with the first pregnancy. Even with the fear and insecurity, we were infected by happiness. We were married at the first civilly and, once the honeymoon trip, we were running to get the result of the first morphological ultrasound. The surprise came with the phrase that was stored in my mind, was the shock: “the absence of a part of brain matter, suggesting anencephaly”. I sought my obstetrician immediately, but she was no longer in the office. Another gynecologist in answer and, as if passing a cake recipe, told us that our daughter, with five months of gestation, who chose the name of Rukmini, had a brain malformation and was unable to survive. And suggested entering court for permission to have an abortion because, according to her, it was not worth taking the pregnancy till the end since. . . She made it very clear that there was no treatment or surgery to solve the problem.
Suggested taking our daughter’s life
We left the office in disarray. Who that thought it was professional to decide something or we suggest taking our daughter’s life? We were outraged.
After the thud, with the support of our family, I was informed me more about it, knowing the risks, the best-known cases, searching other families who had been through the same situation. Add all this to the faith in God and our Lady, we were gaining the strength to hold out until the time the child would come. We spent a day at a time and learned to give thanks for another day of her life in my womb. Each stirring in the belly was a victory celebrated with joy.
How was the birth
She held the 39 weeks. Was born on October 27, crying, with 40 cm and 2 kg. I remember clearly his face glued to tmine, still a mess, as soon as she came out of my belly. I didn’t know how long she would have to live; so, right there, I told her how much I loved her and I loved her just the way she was.
Our Princess resisted for three days. I couldn’t get her on my lap, change her diaper, breastfeed, touch her, smell her or tickle her. There was a block called “incubator”, NICU, between us. I could only hold her little hand. She’s gone, but motherhood didn’t leave with it. I felt the mom, all the time, even without having her with me.
It was not easy. There are still hours. Each mother’s day was a suffering, agony and tightness in my chest . . .
The sacrament of marriage in our lives
The time was passing, but she has always been present in our lives. In 2010, Diogo and I, finally, received the sacrament of marriage. We went to live in Sao Paulo and our life has undergone several changes. Last year, after five years, we decided it was time to try again, and give a little brother or sister to Maria Eduarda.
With the coming of the Pope Francisco to Brazil, I used to go to him and ask for his intercession, so that helped us win this dream, as well as others who seemed far from us. The day July 24, when he celebrated the Holy Mass at the shrine of Aparecida, I was off and I ran there, with my mother and my aunt, a day before. We spent the night in the cold, it rained, we faced hunger and a mile long line to try and to participate in the Eucharistic Celebration inside the sanctuary. Even without knowing if we would get in, I was delivering that moment as penance, as a sacrifice. Little did I know that my Princess was already in my womb.
A new pregnancy
The news came with a joy without end, one week later; at the same time, came an insecurity. After all, we are human and even trusting in God and in your plans, we feared that something bad could happen again. But he presented us with a healthy pregnancy of another girl: Valentina. Anxious parents, she didn’t wait the 40 weeks and came into the world on day 3 of April of this year, with 2980 kg and 48 cm, the 37th gestational week. Another gift from God in our lives.
We’re still entranced with her arrival, and do not get tired of looking at her and loving her.
I feel accomplished to do everything fulfilling down the role of a mother: breastfeeding, cuddle, cuddle, Kiss, do smell, embrace, change diaper, bathe, Tickle, massage and even cry along with her.
I can’t wait to celebrate mother’s day this year, because I know it will have a taste more than special, since now I have a daughter here with me, looking out for me on Earth; and a daughter in heaven, watching over my soul, interceding for me and for our family.
Our Lady, Mother of God and our Immaculate, bless all mothers, especially mothers of ICU “and those who have lost their children.”
Kellen Reis