I’m hesitant to bring this up at all because it’s such a personal decision. But I’m honest here on the blog, and I want to record our journey in full.

For the past month I’ve been in contact with our local organ donation center. If you didn’t know already (or forgot), unless there are other complications, anencephalic babies have perfect bodies from the neck down. Amelia’s ultrasound reveals all of her organs (except the brain) are in perfect working order.

After a brief (very brief, might I add, because I had already made up my mind) discussion, Tyler and I decided as parents that the best scenario would be to donate her organs after birth. There are many logistics in doing this, and it’s not entirely legal. (Legally in order to donate someone’s organs they must be declared brain dead. In Amelia’s case, this is obviously tricky and next to impossible, as she lacks a brain.) We’re hoping it all works out and we will be able to save another baby’s life (or two baby’s lives! or five!).

As my sister pointed out today, if it all works out I’m basically a surrogate mother to several baby’s essential organs, which is a pretty hefty (but awesome!) responsibility. How often does a mediocre individual like me get the chance to save other’s lives?

(We are so close to getting the details worked out! Instead of delivering at 37 weeks, I’ll deliver at 38 weeks, which is the weekend before Labor Day. The doctor needs a big enough baby to operate on! Yesterday was our new 5-week mark until her birth.)

Also, as Tyler puts it, “we are now proud owners of a plot of land in Los Gatos.” (Which totally sounds fancier and more exciting than it actually is. And the price we paid per square foot is quite absurd.) We picked out the perfect burial plot – the one with the best view of that beautiful palm tree. :)