Baby Emmett's Story

A blood transfusion saved my life…
before I was even born.

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood"
Leviticus 17:11 (NKJV)
The Holy Bible

The Need for Blood

By the time I was transferred to the University of Washington Medical Center, I had not felt my 25 week gestation baby move in 33 hours. I could watch his heart beat normally on a monitor, but the doctors knew something was terribly wrong. A quick ultrasound confirmed my baby showed signs of hydrops fetalis a condition commonly caused by severe anemia. Although they didn't know the cause of the anemia, they knew they had to act fast to save his life. The doctor said he needed an in-utero blood transfusion as soon as possible.

The Donated Blood

The blood for my baby's transfusion was not ordinary blood. Before my arrival, the doctor had already ordered the required blood because it needed 12 hours of preparation time. It was donated by a stranger with the universal O negative blood type, since my baby's blood type was still unknown. The blood was spun, filtered and cleaned to achieve the highest purity.

The Transfusion of Blood

On Wednesday, March 28th, 2012 at 12:00 noon doctors performed an in-utero blood transfusion to save my baby's life. It took only 30 minutes to put 48 cc's of blood through the umbilical cord, a body his size holds only 90 cc's of blood total. His anemic level at the time of the transfusion showed a hematocrit of 6%, normal people have a hematocrit of 45%. Our doctor said the lowest she had ever seen was 13% in a stillborn baby. The ultrasound showed the blood entering the umbilical cord like bubbles in a straw. The doctors were excited to hear "we've got sparkles" from the ultrasound technician. When the blood transfusion was complete we could only wait…and pray.

Life in the Blood

Only 10 hours after the blood transfusion my baby started his normal kicks and jabs that continued throughout the night. His movements were a sure sign that he was enjoying the new blood and renewed life. Each day the doctors were amazed at his progress. After 12 days they were comfortable that my baby would continue to develop normally so they set me up with weekly monitoring for the rest of my pregnancy.

At 35 weeks, on June 8, 2012 baby Emmett was born 5 lbs 14 ounces. Emmett is now 9 months old and weighs 18 pounds. We will always remember his need of a blood transfusion in his early weeks of life. And we will always be thankful to those who take the time to donate their blood to save the life of another.

March 28, 2012, 11:41am
Ultrasound showing Hydrops Fetalis- a swelling under the skin due to the accumulation of fluids

Our Need for Blood

The Bible says "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Because of our sin God requires the payment of life shown in the shedding of blood. "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." (Hebrews 9:22 NIV)

The Right Blood

Only Jesus has the pure, sinless blood that can pay for our sins. "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7) "So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and…to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." (Hebrews 9:28 NIV)

Applying the Blood

The Bible says "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." (Romans 5:8,9). You can know God's forgiveness "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) Say thank you to Jesus Christ, "To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood." (Revelation 1:5)

New Life in the Blood

Our new life in Jesus Christ begins with salvation and continues throughout eternity. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17) "Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold… but with the precious blood of Christ." (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Guest article for heaven4sure.com used with permission from Emmett's parents.