Brittany’s pregnancy was far from the joyful experience she and her husband, Alec, a Save the Storks staff member, had envisioned. Instead of excitement, they faced overwhelming heartbreak and uncertainty. “At our very first prenatal appointment, Alec and I found out something was not right with our baby,” Brittany recalled. The news marked the beginning of a challenging and emotional journey.
The couple was referred to a specialist for a detailed ultrasound to “know their options.” The specialist confirmed their baby had fluid surrounding her head and offered further testing. “They wanted us to decide if we would continue the pregnancy — or not,” Brittany explained.
A 1% Chance at Survival
After switching doctors, the couple learned they were having a girl with Turner’s Syndrome. This rare condition meant their daughter was missing an entire chromosome, leading to significant medical challenges, including a heart defect. They were told the baby had only a 1% chance of surviving outside the womb.
“Every moment of pregnancy that should have been joyful was surrounded by the sadness of ‘Your baby’s probably not going to live,’” Brittany said. The fear and grief made it difficult for her to bond with her unborn daughter.
“I was afraid she’d die inside me,” said Brittany.
As the holidays approached, a patient advocate sat Brittany and Alec down and suggested they start planning a funeral. “At that point, I nearly lost what little hope I had left,” Brittany shared. Her baby Penny refused to give up. “Every time someone said this or that wouldn’t go the way we hoped, Penny would prove that she was going to make it.”
A Fight for Survival
About six weeks before her due date, Brittany began to believe she could prepare a room for Penny. However, a delivery planning meeting revealed Brittany had preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication. She was rushed into an emergency C-section.
“I was scared out of my mind,” Brittany said. Penny was immediately taken to a nearby children’s hospital when she was born. Brittany saw her daughter briefly but couldn’t hold her. “I didn’t see her again for three days,” Brittany said.
When Brittany finally saw Penny, she was overwhelmed with emotion. “I was afraid I wasn’t going to love her when I saw her,” she admitted. “But when I saw her in her small bed, I cried. She was real, and I loved her.”
Overcoming Obstacles
Penny’s fight was far from over. The day after her birth, she underwent emergency surgery for a tear in her intestine. A few months later, she nearly died from a blood clot after heart surgery. “That wouldn’t be the last time we feared for Penny’s life,” Brittany said.
Penny spent six months in the NICU, an hour away from the family’s home. Brittany and Alec visited her every other day. “Every time we left, I cried. It hurt so much to leave her there,” Brittany said. On the days she couldn’t visit, Brittany called the hospital multiple times to check on Penny.
During this time, the couple was supported by a network of organizations and individuals. “The staff, nurses, and doctors were amazing in every way,” Brittany said. Local organizations provided meals, gas stipends, and even rent assistance. Friends and family raised funds so Alec could visit Penny regularly after his paternity leave ended.
Doctors can be wrong. Penny is living proof of that.
Today, Penny is thriving, though she still has unique medical needs. Her journey has inspired Brittany to support others facing similar challenges. “Later, I walked with another mom through the journey of having a baby with Turner’s Syndrome,” Brittany shared. “Sadly, her little girl didn’t make it. But she told me how grateful she was that I could give her hope.”
Brittany reflected on her own experience and how she was told to prepare for the worst. “I was not given hope,” she said. “But doctors can be wrong. Penny is living proof of that.”
She wants others to know that a diagnosis like Turner’s Syndrome is not a death sentence. “I don’t want others to think that the ‘kinder’ thing is to end the pregnancy,” she said. “Penny deserved her chance, and she’s the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to us.”
Every Life Matters
Brittany and Alec have found immense joy in Penny’s laughter, silliness, and resilience through all the challenges. “Her smile far outweighs any of the difficulties we face,” Brittany shared. Penny’s story is a testament to the power of hope and the strength of a tiny fighter who defied the odds.
Yet, some families are pressured to choose abortion based on fear and uncertainty—sometimes influenced by medical tests that are wrong as much as 93% of the time, as reported by The New York Times.
We believe every child, like Penny, deserves the chance to thrive. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing hope, support, and resources to families facing difficult diagnoses. Will you help us ensure more families can choose hope and life?
Click below to bring hope to families like Brittany and Alec’s. Together, we can empower them to choose life.
