My sister, Major Laura Bowers, currently stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky was told about halfway through her pregnancy that her fetus did not have a brain.
Against all medical advice, Laura continued with her pregnancy even though every medical test confirmed that the fetus did not have a brain. Everything from the eyebrows downward developed, but not the brain. Laura was steadfast in her faith that God wanted her to continue her pregnancy.
A sonogram showed that the baby was a girl which was bittersweet to Laura who yearned for a baby girl. Laura does have a son named Luke who will be 5 in December but while she was stationed in Hawaii a few years ago, she picked out the name "Amy Malia" and even has a traditional Hawaiian dress for Amy.
Laura delivered her baby at 4:07 a.m. on Saturday, November 12th.
When the baby was born, they immediately placed it on Laura belly to belly. They had also put a soft towel around the baby. Laura held her and sang to her for an hour or two until Grandma requested to hold her for a little while. Laura wanted to cherish every moment that she had with her baby and had been reluctant to give her up to the doctors even for a few minutes. The doctors knew that they had to take the necessary measurements, etc., so they seized the opportunity to do what they had to do. Laura's husband, Chad, went to observe while they took the baby from Grandma. When they unwrapped her, Chad was the only one in a room full of medical personnel to notice and he proclaimed "It's a boy!"
As a military hospital administrator, Laura's strength during her pregnancy was an inspiration to everyone she worked with. The medical personnel around her were also her friends and co-workers. Her husband, Chad, is also a military hospital administrator there. That "it's a boy" statement briefly interrupted the intensity of emotions that permeated the room. When they heard Chad exclaim that the girl was actually a boy, laughter erupted from everyone in the delivery room.
Even though it may not have been what I would have done, I supported and respected Laura's decision to continue with her pregnancy. I didn't know the answers or the outcome but I knew that no matter what happened, Laura would be strong and an inspiration to everyone during and after the delivery. I was right.
Even though "Liam Charles Bowers" passed away 5 1/2 hours after he was born, he defied the odds. Even though they were told it was impossible, Liam's heart was healthy enough to be harvested to save 4 other babies. Laura and Chad were determined and pursued the possibility of donating his organs and discovered that his heart valves could be placed in 4 babies. Laura had insisted on one extra week of pregnancy. That ended up being crucial to the baby's birth weight being enough to be considered for organ donation.
Yes, Laura and Chad are grieving but they are also thanking God for the 4 babies that may live because of Liam Charles Bowers.