Pregnancy can be a very tough time for the woman.
In addition to managing the physical aspects of wearing a baby in the stomach, there is also the constant concern that something should go wrong with the child.
But thankfully, it goes well in most cases. The one that worries and fears is exchanged for relief in the same second that you are allowed to keep your newborn, healthy child.
However, Jennie Wilklow never had to experience that opportunity of relief – on the contrary.
Jennie went through a relatively normal pregnancy. She and her husband were happy to wait for children and on all the controls they got the same answers: The child looked to feel fine.
But the cloud of worries began to accumulate when Jennie was forced to enter and make an emergency caesarean section, in week 34. Although the operation and childbirth were successful, it would soon turn out that something was wrong with Jennie’s daughter.
“When they took her out I heard her scream and they said: She is so beautiful.” These are the words every mother wants to hear, so I smiled and relaxed “, Jennie.
But seconds later, the mood was different in the room. The baby’s face was transformed.
Several nurses and doctors easily panicked when they saw what was happening to the newly redeemed daughter.
“They did everything to help her, but her skin became rock hard in seconds. After the skin solidified, it began to crack. It caused open wounds throughout her body. Behind the hills I saw their panicked faces and I asked if everything was OK.
After the doctor assured Jennie that they had things under control, she received sedative medicine that made her fall asleep.
When she awoke a few hours later, Jennie was informed by a doctor. It turned out that her newborn daughter Anna suffered from a condition called Harlequin ichthyosis.
She looked at her husband when she realized the seriousness that had happened.
“My husband’s silence scared me; he was only shocked when the doctor left. He just kept saying, “This is bad.”
The disease Harlequin ichthyosis is a gene defect that causes the skin to grow about 14 times faster than normal. It creates a redness all over the body, which also affects the eyes, mouth, nose and ears.
Children born with Harlequin ichthyosis usually die a few days after birth.
However, those who survive can expect a normal life span. But, unfortunately, they are also prone to suffer from complications and delays in development, especially when it comes to motor skills.
“I spent the next two days looking for information about her condition. I realized the poor quality of life that awaited her. I allowed myself to admit this thought, since it was only at that moment, at the most confused and lonely period of my life. There and then I thought it might be better if she died, ”Jennie says.
But it turned out to be a tough little girl Jennie gave birth to the world.
With the help of doctors and her family, Anna survived.