FILE - In this Nov. 19, 2010 file photo, Rep.-elect Jamie Herrera, R-Wash., reacts as the incoming House of Representatives members participates in a lottery to pick their office space in Washington. Credit: AP
When doctors told Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) that her unborn child was suffering from a normally fatal kidney condition, she was also advised that abortion was one of her options.
However, the pro-life Republican refused to abort her child.
On Monday, Beutler announced that she had given birth to a baby girl, who she called a "miracle."
She first learned that her unborn child was suffering from Potter's Syndrome, a usually fatal condition that affects kidney development during pregnancy, earlier this year. Beutler's office announced in a statement that the baby, Abigail, "is considered by her doctors to likely be the first baby to survive a diagnosis previously considered fatal."
According to the Washington Examiner's Tim Mak, the "child is currently stable, but required immediate dialysis due to a lack of functioning kidneys."
"The options we were offered were termination or 'expectant management,' that is, waiting for [the baby] to die. Instead, we chose to pray earnestly for a miracle. She is every bit a miracle," the GOP congresswoman and her husband said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Rep. Beutler "is doing well, caring for her precious little daughter and recovering," according to a statement from her family.
TheBlaze's Billy Hallowell previously covered Beutler's tragic Facebook announcement back in June:
“At a recent, routine ultrasound appointment we received the difficult news that our baby has a serious medical condition called Potter’s Syndrome,” the Beutlers wrote. “Potter’s Syndrome (or Potter’s Sequence) is abnormally low amniotic fluid caused by impaired kidney function which inhibits normal lung development and is often fatal.”
After receiving a second opinion, the letter notes that the diagnosis was substantiated. In addition to asking for prayers and privacy, Rep. Beutler said that doctors have given her the green light to continue serving in Congress, despite this monumental setback.
“There is no medical solution available to us. We are praying for a miracle,” the letter continued.
Thankfully, their prayers were answered.
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