A devastated mother who carried her dying baby to full term so she could give her organs to those in need is celebrating her child’s precious week of life.
Krysta Davis made the heartbreaking decision hoping that her little angel would help other babies to live healthy lives.
23-year-old Krysta was 18 weeks pregnant when she was told her baby had anencephaly, a serious birth defect that means she would be born without parts of her brain.
Doctors told the couple they could induce labor right away or Krysta could carry her to term even though they know their daughter could die in the womb.
Knowing that her baby’s life is limited to only a few days, they enjoyed every moment of pregnancy.
“Carrying her to full term would mean we had the option to donate her organs so that other mothers could bring home their babies when we couldn’t,” Krysta expressed. “That sealed the deal for us, for the entire pregnancy the majority of our strength came from her, it was very positive, and we did everything we could like most parents do.
“We found out her favourite band was Fleetwood Mac and did a lot of normal parent things, but we also had an extra ounce to cherish that little more. I knew I had to be happy throughout the entire pregnancy for her, there was no point putting myself or her through that when we had such limited time together.
“It was amazing feeling her kick, I didn’t know if she would move around at all but we found out, as she moved a lot.”
“As we got further along into the pregnancy she moved more and more, I could watch her little feet move across my belly. I had nine months to carry her and fall in love but it was nothing compared to holding her and seeing her, I couldn’t see anything wrong with her when she was born, I was in love.”
Rylei Arcadia was born weighing 6 pounds. She survived for a week before passing away on New Year’s Eve in her parents’ arms.
Her short life gave two other babies another chance at life after her lungs and her heart valves were donated to a research foundation in desperate need of organs.
“After she passed, the surgeon came in and told he us he had not met a family like us in 12 years,” said Krysta. “It felt wonderful knowing that because of her two other kids get to go home, that touched us the most.
“Every time I look at the reminders of her, I treasure the moments, I still get a couple of tears coming down they are perfect moments.
“As hard as it is to give away those organs as it is your child, it makes a huge difference to others’ lives who wouldn’t have a second chance.”
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