The Community for Catholic Moms

Our unborn baby daughter

We'd welcome your prayers for our unborn daughter, Gianna Caeli, nearly 34 weeks in my womb. She was diagnosed two weeks ago with Trisomy 18, a chromosomal defect which usually leads to death before or shortly after birth, although there are many children who've lived much longer.

There are so many decisions to make, from where best to birth her to the kind of care we want her to have after birth, to making sure she is baptized/confirmed/given Last Rites asap after her arrival, to managing the logistics of homeschooling and parenting our other seven living children, including one away at Benedictine College in Kansas.

If you could pray for our discernment, and for God's grace and direction to continue to pour over us during these challenging weeks, we would be so grateful.

Thank you.

+ JMJ +

Ann Marie

Visit our soon-to-be born daughter and sister Gianna Caeli's website:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/godsgracefromheaven

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kristin Detloff on October 30, 2010 at 11:23am

Praying for you all. I will follow your Caringbridge site and pray for you these next months.

I have been following the blog of a Catholic, homeschooling, mom who is expecting a baby with Trisomy 18 in very near future. She talks some of their process through deciding how to birth and what care to give afterwards. It's SUCH an intimate process, in situations like yours especially. You may find some comfort in her journey. Praying for you all.

http://trisomyjourney.blogspot.com/

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by angie wolfe on October 30, 2010 at 1:26pm

Ann Marie,

May God be with you and your family during these difficult months. I will be praying for you all.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Marla Nutbrown on October 30, 2010 at 1:30pm

Oh I am so sorry for you!I will be praying for you,your family,and your beautiful daughter.God bless you all!Marla Grace

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kristin Detloff on October 31, 2010 at 7:03pm

My friend is in the process of joining this site but saw your request for prayers and asked that I post this link for you as she is awaiting permission to be allowed to post herself. The organization is based in MN but helps families worldwide. Her prayers are with you.

http://www.prenatalpartnersforlife.org/

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ann Marie Henninger on October 31, 2010 at 7:11pm

Thanks...I've been in touch with PPFL for nearly two weeks - they were one of the first places I found, thankfully!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Amy Marie Seltzer, MEV on November 6, 2010 at 2:09pm

Wow. I read of your other losses and marvel at your continuing trust in the Lord. I have four children in heaven, including daughter Teresa, who was stillborn last September. I am still struggling immensely with this. I do hope, if even for a few hours, you are able to hold your living daughter.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ann Marie Henninger on November 6, 2010 at 11:38pm

Amy, I am deeply sorry for the death of your precioud daughter Teresa. Is there anything I can do to help? Have you found any helpful resources for your healing, either at the library, bookstore, online, from support groups, or real life people?
God be with you,
Ann Marie

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Laura_@_OHOJN on November 9, 2010 at 5:49pm

Anne Marie - My hearts is so sad for you all. I can promise you, that your baby daughter, you, and your family, will be in my family's prayers for all of your requests, every single day.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Karen Murphy Corr on November 17, 2010 at 12:56am

Ann Marie, I'm so sorry for this adverse diagnosis for your beautiful baby girl. I started the bereaved parents group here at F&F and wanted to share that two women in my local infant loss group both carried babies with Trisomy last year. One baby was born and lived briefly, the other was born still. Both of them had photos done by Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, and the professional photographer not only gave them beautiful prenatal and infant photos but prepared a lovely DVD memorial to be played. Such a gift. No one mentioned NILMDTS to my husband and me when our baby George was born still in May 2009 and I do wish they had. It's free to parents. Thinking of you and praying for your family. (((Hugs)))

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ann Marie Henninger on November 17, 2010 at 1:14am

Thanks, Karen. I've got a photographer from NILMDTS and Souluminations all ready to go...God bless you and I am sorry for the death of your sweet George.