Losing our Baby

(Our e-mail to family and friends as we were losing our Zachary... 04/25/07)

Friends and family,

The last couple of days have been a whirlwind, so if you haven't yet heard the details we send our apologies. We have a minute and wanted to send out the most recent update.

As many of you know, Amanda has reached 22 weeks in a high risk but uncomplicated pregnancy. Over the last couple of weeks she has had a cold with heavy coughing. On Monday she began to experience some very slight but not dangerous contractions and spotting. Yesterday she went into her OBGYN for a routine check and her cervix which had been long and stable was now open with membranes bulging, having torn through the cerclage.

She was sent straight to Labor and Delivery for anti verted bed rest (head beneath feet) in the hopes that this morning that the bag would have retreated back into the uterus and a rescue cerclage could be placed. During the procedure this morning the doctors were unable to get the membranes back into the uterus. So Amanda was told she would remain in labor and delivery on bed rest for as long as possible.

Immediately after the transport from the operating room to labor and delivery her water broke. The doctor was still hopeful saying that without infection or contractions a woman with ruptured membranes could go weeks or even months before delivery. However, by 3PM the cord had prolapsed (come out of the uterus). The doctor was unable to push it back in, the babys pulse was weak, and Amanda was advised delivery would happen today.

At this point, we are at Baylor Grapevine being induced for delivery of our son Zachary James Huggins has already died and will be stillborn at delivery.

We appreciate all of your thougts and prayers and ask that you please continue to lift us up during this difficult time.

We are still in a whirlwind right now, but we will probably be making arrangements for a memorial service and will update you when we get more info.

Love to all,

James and Amanda