During my training in obstetrics I met a mother whose baby had many birth defects, such that it would die shortly after birth. Many doctors advise abortion in these cases as a “compassionate measure” for the mother. I knew that I should not participate in abortion. However, I did not really know what would be a compassionate alternative. “Little David” taught me what to do. This is his story.

“Little David's” mother consulted with me about her pregnancy. Her baby had five different major anomalies (birth defects). Her condition did not closely simulate any known syndrome. Abortion had been offered by other doctors but was rejected by the mother. It was a long and agonizing pregnancy for this young couple about to have their first baby. They were of modest means and had been referred to me from a rural locale.

The father gave his name, David, to his first-born son. It was expected the infant would only live about 20 minutes when taken off the ventilator. After delivery, the child was on the ventilator for about eight hours while the pediatricians thoroughly evaluated him. The pediatricians confirmed everything that had been predicted from prenatal ultrasound. The father, mother, and half a dozen family members were present in the mother's room when the child was brought from the neonatal intensive care unit. Since the child's demise was expected imminently, he was quickly brought to his mother's arms so she could hold, kiss and love “Little David.” After 20 minutes, “Little David's” cardiac and respiratory rates began to slow, but then unexpectedly returned to normal. This cycle repeated itself many times over the next 24 hours. Over the course of the day, a long succession of near and distant relatives arrived from many corners of the state. So many came, the room could not hold them all. All got their chance to hold, kiss and love “Little David.” An incredible spirit of love and peace permeated the room. There was an “explosion of love,” so to speak. This remarkable and unforeseen “explosion of love” was felt by all and remembered by all that were present. Whenever I spoke to this couple or any of their relatives at any future point, they always mentioned the “incredible explosion of love.”

Somehow God gave me the insight to know that I should attend this funeral. It was a two-and-a-half-hour drive very early in the morning through a beautiful section of the countryside. When I got there, “Little David's” mother said, “My doctor said he would come, and I knew he would.”

There seemed to be about 100 people at the funeral. “Little David's” grandfather preached a beautiful sermon. There were no dry eyes at the service. After the funeral I took a walk across the adjoining empty field. I thought back on the mistakes I made in life. For most of them, there was a subsequent repair or remedy. For my life as a doctor, it was similar; someone brings me a problem, I develop a remedy. I was awed and humbled by how unchangeable and non-negotiable the outcome of death was.

The outcome of this case illustrated to me the method of pregnancy management that is my treatment of choice. One would expect these parents to be devastated by this tragic turn of events, and they were. Whenever I discussed the case with them, they always mentioned how hard and tragic the birth of their baby had been; but they never failed to mention what a wonderful, positive, warm and loving experience the “explosion of love” had been. “Little David” seemed to receive more love in a day than some babies receive in a lifetime. In the parents' minds, and everyone's mind, the tragedy of the baby's death was forever intimately wedded to and always inseparable from the “explosion of love.”

One might expect such parents would be hesitant to ever get pregnant again, or at least not any time soon; but they were trying within a couple of months. They were pregnant in a few more months, and they delivered their second baby who was healthy and normal by the end of a year.

“Little David” taught me that the proper management of a baby with a lethal birth defect is usually expectant (i.e., nonintervention). “Little David” taught me that there is a tremendous amount of good that can come from such management. “Little David” showed me that every baby is created for a reason, and each has a special vocation. “Little David” demonstrated that even a baby who never spoke could preach a powerful spiritual message to doctors, hospital staff, mothers and readers.

Taken from a writing titled “Little David” for the Health Care Symposium. Used with permission of Dr. Paddy Jim Baggot, M.D. Acknowledgment: The assistance of Mrs. Suzanne Baggot and M. Gerard Baggot, M.D. is gratefully recognized. Part of this work was done at the Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha , Neb.

Dr. Baggot is an obstetrician-gynecologist in Los Angelos, California. Dr. Baggot earned his medical degree at the University of Illinois in Chicago. He completed an OB/GYN residency at Mt. Sinai in Chicago. He subsequently completed fellowships in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the University of Arkansas and Medical Genetics at the Medical College of Virginia.