Both mother and child are fine and in great spirits. The hospital staff was skilled, attentive and caring and the birth occurred in an excellent and secure facility. One of the best, here in the state of Michigan.

Lots of family were surrounding her and the nurses were amazed that so many of us showed up, but that's my family for you. Throughout the labor, which lasted just over five hours, all of us took time to let my niece know that we were there for her, and we love her and everything was going to be alright. And by grace, it was.

My niece's pregnancy and birth was entirely uncomplicated, despite the child arriving two weeks early. My brother, the child's grandfather, checked all of his fingers and toes and I myself observed him react to the changing lights and sounds around him.

It was truly a happy and joyous occasion. It was the way all births should be.

We are very fortunate, as I'm sure that you can all see.




I can't but help to KNOW that what happened in the wee hours of this morning has not been the same pleasant and joyous experience for many others.

That due to grave and serious complications, a birth promised to take the health and or life of both the mother and the child. And that the uncomplicated pregnancy, which we experienced, has instead become a death sentence.

It's at this point that a decision is made by a family to choose the life of the mother over a life threatening medical condition. I'm sure that up to the last trimester, there was always the expectation to bring a healthy baby to term. But instead, tragic circumstances warranted much needed intervention.

That is the bottom line when it comes to late term abortions. It's not matter of choice or convenience, but instead, it becomes a needed medical procedure to save lives. Imagine the heartbreak in the room when a family hears the news from their doctor that the child that they have expected will most likely kill the mother. That the only way to save her is to end the pregnancy. Or that the child itself, brought to term, may not survive.

It's at this time that skilled and dedicated medical personnel are needed to save lives, but unfortunately it's at the expense of the expected hopes and dreams of the family.



The moralists in this world, who would have that mother sacrifice herself for the sake of a slim chance of survival, are in my opinion the most cold and callous people alive.

What's their excuse, "Go ahead and roll these loaded dice and if or when you end up dead, tough luck?" Wow.

These people have no real sense of humanity or compassion, do they? Only misplaced aggression, moralism and misogyny fueled by sanctimony. That's not really a good combination for feeling empathy for a grieving family, now is it?

I'm not going to say much more about them, as less said of them is better. But I will say this; they have absolutely NO business telling any expected mother to kill herself. And NO business killing doctors who are saving lives.

NO "right" whatsoever.



Again, I know that we're very lucky. I held my great-nephew and told him that, with every step he takes in this world, there will always be someone there to watch over him. I told his mother that I loved her and was very pleased to see that everything was indeed alright.

By the way, I'm very happy and proud to tell you that she asked me to be his godfather.