Intermountain Press Release

Provo, Utah—It is a rare experience when times of despair suddenly become moments of joy. Such an event took place just more than four months ago when Carrie Wyman went into labor at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.

Wyman, a Spanish Fork resident, was more than 38 weeks pregnant and scheduled for an induction. She and her husband, Rob, had discovered through genetic tests during the pregnancy that their unborn daughter had multiple, life-threatening birth defects. The baby was not expected to survive long after birth.

"It's a tough thing for a mom to be induced when she knows that as long as this baby is inside [her] it is alive, but as soon as it is born it will die," said Meredith Rabino, Labor and Delivery nurse at Utah Valley Regional.

On March 7, little baby Elle was born. Aside from a minor cleft lip, she looked almost perfect. But she made little respiratory attempt and had an irregular heartbeat. The Wymans just wanted what little time they had with their baby girl. Their 3-year-old son, Steele, was on his way to the hospital with his grandparents to see the baby. By this time, Elle's heartbeat was faint and she remained fairly blue with occasional gasping respirations.

Her big brother finally arrived and his dad put the baby in his little arms. That's when everything changed.

"After a few seconds, she began to breathe faster and harder," said Rabino. "I looked at the other nurse and said, 'Do you see her? She's getting excited!' She began to pink up and her heartbeat rose to over 100 beats per minute. After about five minutes she started to fuss, which she hadn't done since being born, not even the smallest cry at delivery."

Rabino called the pediatrician and told him the circumstances. This particular pediatrician was especially involved, since he had been Wyman's pediatrician as well. After he arrived, Elle was examined and bathed, and then held and cherished by each family member for the next couple of hours – much longer than expected.

"The mood had changed from this depressing, ominous one to one of joy and hope and peace," said Rabino. "Even though this family knew that Elle would soon go 'home,' this time was priceless. Memories could be made and hearts could be filled."

The hours of bliss with Elle turned into days, and then months. Remarkably, Elle celebrated four months of life on July 7. Wyman is swift to admit that it is a miracle her daughter is still here and said Elle is healthy and the family is doing well.