Happy 2nd "First Birth" Fetal Surgery Anniversary Rachel June 7,2011

Two years ago Rachel and I underwent fetal surgery at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville TN. The purpose of the fetal surgery was to repair the myelomeningocele defect (spina bifida) of Rachel's spine. Repairing the defect prior to birth would help avoid any additional nerve damage to her spine that could occur during the remainder of the pregnancy. This was a scary and defining moment for our family. I was 23 weeks pregnant with Rachel at the time of the surgery. If things went wrong during the surgery Rachel would not be with us. We were blessed by God and the hands of the doctors and nurses caring for us. Rachel survived the surgery. Her  surgery date is considered her "first birth" June 7, 2011. Our next biggest obstacle was to keep me pregnant as long as possible to avoid extreme prematurity. Rachel was born at 32 weeks 5 days of pregnancy on August 11, 2011.She was "born twice". Rachel was the first baby born at Children's Hospital Milwaukee that underwent fetal surgery for spina bifida. She was a rock star in the NICU and had many doctors and nurses come and see her- all fascinated by the fetal surgery and her healed surgical site at birth. Today Rachel is a thriving 22 month old girl who has filled our family with more love and faith than we could have ever imagined.

Rachel's defect started at the L4 level of her spine.

 My surgical scar 2 years later. (no tattoos just markers on us both)

Rachel's and my scar- bonded by love.