While most parents believe their child is unique, Maddicyn Brokenshire has compelling reasons to feel that way about her son.
Brokenshire, aged 38, and her husband Daniel, 30, residing in Timaru, New Zealand, were thrilled upon discovering they were expecting their first child.
However, their excitement soon turned to apprehension when they received challenging news about potential complications during the pregnancy.
During a hospital visit, doctors diagnosed Brokenshire with a subchorionic hemorrhage—an occurrence where bleeding happens between the uterine wall and gestational sac. This condition affects approximately one percent of pregnancies and typically resolves without intervention.
The condition often presents with symptoms such as vaginal bleeding and minor cramping. Although some may worry about its impact, scientific studies have yet to definitively link it to pregnancy complications.
“Initially, it was quite overwhelming,” she shared with the Daily Mail, expressing their concern for the baby’s wellbeing. “There was a lot of uncertainty, and the initial prognosis wasn’t very clear.”
The mom said she and her husband didn’t know what to expect, which made the situation even scarier. All they could do was try to focus on taking things ‘one step at a time.’
But the prognosis worsened at Brokenshire’s 20-week scan.
Maddicyn Brokenshire was overcome with worry after finding out her son, Ollyver, was battling Amniotic Band Syndrome (ABS)
Doctors identified that little Ollyver was battling amniotic bands – fibrous strands of tissue detached from the inner amniotic sac. The bands can remain free-floating, but they can also wrap around developing limbs, digits or other body parts and restrict growth. The latter is known as Amniotic Band Syndrome (ABS).
Brokenshire’s doctors initially believed the bands were ‘floating’ and may not cause any issues.
But the mother-to-be, who formerly worked as a nurse, said her instincts told her otherwise.
She began extensive research on ABS and had a haunting feeling that her baby would suffer complications. ABS is a rare condition that affects just one in 15,000 births and occurs when the inner layer of the placenta is damaged during pregnancy.
At 33 weeks pregnant, Brokenshire was rushed back to a hospital in Christchurch that she called larger and better-equipped than the first one she visited.
‘That’s where they discovered that he was suffering,’ she recalled. ‘The amniotic bands were attached. He had an indentation on his nose bridge and his right eye orbit was smaller than the other. They didn’t know how severe it was going to be.’
When Brokenshire’s water broke just one week later, she and her husband were told the bands were still attached to baby Ollyver.
He was born via cesarean section at Christchurch Hospital, but wasn’t breathing as doctors tried to resuscitate him. Thankfully, he recovered.
The newborn was plagued with health concerns as a result of the ABS, which has impacted his sight
He was also born with an open wound on the back of his head as a result of Aplasia Cutis Congenita
But the newborn was plagued with health concerns as the ABS had been severe, causing ‘deformities and loss of function,’ Brokenshire told the Daily Mail.
He had a massive open wound on the back of his head as a result of Aplasia Cutis Congenita (ACC), where some areas of skin could not fully form before birth.
‘It can happen anywhere on the body but in Ollyver’s case, it is on his scalp where his hair grows,’ she explained.
Ollyver’s eyelids also did not develop. Brokenshire told the Daily Mail he is ‘fully blind’ in his right eye and will eventually need a prosthetic.
Now, at eight months old, the infant has undergone several surgeries to release the amniotic bands and surgically create eyelids.
‘Surgeons attempted to correct his ability to close his eyes by pinning and suturing the eyelid higher,’ Brokenshire said. ‘But it wasn’t successful, so they will continue to adjust this over time.’
Despite some setbacks, Ollyver is continuing to hit milestones
Despite some setbacks, Ollyver is continuing to develop on schedule.
His doting mom happily reported her little boy is crawling and ‘on the move constantly.’
‘Neurologically, Ollyver has been incredibly lucky,’ Brokenshire said.
‘His brain was not affected. He is meeting all of his milestones and is even ahead in some areas.’
Although Ollyver may have challenges with balance and depth perception, the family has already enlisted support services to help him.
His mother is proud of all he has accomplished so far, and called Ollyver ‘such a strong, resilient little boy.’
