Persistence: One Couple’s Triumph Over Infertility, Stillbirth and Pregnancy After Loss

Eight-month-old Remy Baker is an energetic, happy and cheerful baby. Weighing 22 pounds, he has grown quickly, gaining more than two inches in height within the last month.

Remy has a vibrant personality and is always ready to flash a smile, share a laugh and roll over with enthusiasm. He finds great joy bouncing in his bouncer, which has become one of his favorite activities. Remy is undeniably the center of adoration for his parents, Daisy and Jeremy.

“He brings us ridiculous amounts of joy, and we are completely in love with him,” said Daisy. “We are so grateful to be his parents.”

Daisy and Jeremy’s Struggle to Conceive

Initially, the Bakers chose not to pursue medical intervention when they were unable to become pregnant. Instead, they focused on lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, in hopes of conceiving naturally. When those efforts were unsuccessful, they decided to seek help from a fertility clinic while living in Austin.

Daisy, who was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), experienced challenges with ovulation. Her physician prescribed medication to stimulate ovulation, and she became pregnant shortly afterward. However, their joy was short-lived. Their first pregnancy ended with the stillbirth of their son at 37 weeks because of a cord accident, an abnormality involving the umbilical cord that can disrupt blood circulation.

“We lost our first one in April 2021,” said Daisy. “After the loss of our baby, we moved to San Antonio. Eventually, we went to another fertility clinic and I was prescribed the same medication. We were afraid it would take us a long time to get pregnant but it didn’t. When we found out I was pregnant in March 2022, we were excited and elated, but also terrified. Given our prior loss (at 37 weeks), there was no ‘safe’ spot in the pregnancy where we could say we’ve made it past the hard part. Everything will be OK from here.”

During much of Daisy’s first trimester, the fertility clinic in San Antonio monitored her pregnancy. As she approached 10 weeks, she established care with an OB-GYN. About two weeks before entering her third trimester, she learned that her OB-GYN’s practice was closing and that she would need to find a new physician to continue her care.

Fortunately, Dr. Emma Rodriguez, Daisy’s maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) physician at CHRISTUS Children’s, quickly recommended an OB-GYN at the same hospital to take over her care. Earlier in her pregnancy, Daisy had been referred to Dr. Rodriguez because she was considered high risk due to her bicornuate uterus and history of stillbirth.

“It turns out we were grateful for the switch,” said Daisy. “Once we found our OB-GYN and Dr. Rodriguez, we felt like we were in great hands and everything was going to work out for Remy.”

An Unexpected Diagnosis

When Daisy reached her 14th week of pregnancy, she chose to undergo a noninvasive prenatal test (NIPT), a blood screening used to evaluate the likelihood of certain chromosomal conditions. A few days later, the results revealed that Remy had a high probability of having Down syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21.

“We were devastated at first,” said Daisy. “Our knowledge about Down syndrome was limited, and we really weren’t sure what this would mean for us, or for Remy. Our doctors and the CHRISTUS Children’s Genetics team provided us with literature and information about how to best prepare. We just started reading and researching everything possible. At every subsequent ultrasound, we held our breath, fully aware that they were not only assessing the baby’s growth and development but specifically searching for indications of Down syndrome as well as any potentially related complications. The appointments that were already difficult, given our history, became even more daunting. We were equal parts excited to check on our baby but also terrified something ominous would be detected.”

Remy’s growth and development progressed well. Daisy remembers the emotional challenges of attending her maternal-fetal medicine and OB-GYN appointments. She found herself constantly seeking reassurance by monitoring Remy’s movements.

“Every time we were enroute to the OB’s office, I felt an overwhelming need to check if Remy was still moving.”

A few days before Remy’s birth, Daisy and Jeremy met with their OB-GYN and Dr. Rodriguez to discuss the risks and benefits of delivering at 37 weeks. Given their previous loss at the same gestational age, the care team and family agreed that delivery at that point would be the safest option.

Welcoming Their Son

On Oct. 28, 2022, Daisy and Jeremy welcomed Remy via C-section at CHRISTUS Children’s. He weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces. Shortly after birth, he experienced breathing difficulties and was placed on a CPAP machine before being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

“There was fear immediately when they took him out,” said Daisy. “When he was born, his lungs were underdeveloped. He didn’t cry. They were trying to get him to cry.”

During his stay in the NICU, Remy received phototherapy to treat mild jaundice. He also required supplemental oxygen through a nasal cannula, and physicians discovered three small holes in his heart. Throughout his three-week hospitalization, Remy continued to make steady progress.

One of the most significant milestones involved feeding. His care team gradually transitioned him from tube feeding to oral feeding, a process that took time and patience. Eventually, Remy met that milestone and was able to go home for the first time.

Remy Comes Home

On Nov. 19, 2022, Remy came home just before Thanksgiving.

“It was the most incredible moment of our lives,” said Daisy. “Going through pregnancy after a previous loss is hard, so much more difficult than I ever anticipated. However, bringing our son home and seeing the milestones he has accomplished makes everything feel worth it. I am grateful for the nurses who took care of both me and Remy. Having our OB-GYN and Dr. Rodriguez as part of our team was incredible. Dr. Rodriguez exceeded our expectations, going above and beyond her duties. Our OB-GYN and Dr. Rodriguez consistently provided reassurance during our appointments while also being honest and transparent. We truly felt their goal was to ensure we brought a healthy baby home.”

Remy Today

At just 8 months old, Remy is thriving. He participates in physical, occupational and speech therapy services at home, all of which help support the unique developmental needs of children with Down syndrome. Through these therapies, Remy continues to work toward developmental milestones at his own pace and is making progress in all areas of development.

As part of his follow-up care, Remy attends regular pediatric appointments and routine cardiology follow-up visits to monitor the small holes in his heart. He also meets annually with the genetics team at CHRISTUS Children’s to help ensure he receives personalized care that supports his physical, cognitive and social development.

“Watching Remy grow and develop has been everything,” said Daisy. “He brings us so much joy, and we are grateful for our family.”

For more information about CHRISTUS Children’s, visit: CHRISTUS Children's Hospital | San Antonio, TX | Comprehensive & Compassionate Care for Children (christushealth.org)