Mags GarganA Co. Tyrone man has described the birth of his son as “truly a miracle” after his wife went against doctors’ advice to have an abortion.
Doctors had advised Liam Glass and his wife Cindy that their unborn child had no spleen and would not survive more than a week after birth. However, baby David Hope Glass was born complete with a normal spleen.
Speaking to the Ulster Herald from his home in Australia, Liam Glass – originally from Greencastle – said the couple both have a strong Christian faith and “never considered getting an abortion”. “We were told by doctors to get rid of the child as there was no hope, but thankfully it has turned out all right,” he said. “We genuinely left it in God’s hands and we will keep enjoying David as long as God allows us to enjoy him.”
Baby David has a heart condition but his overjoyed father said he is doing well and that the “doctors are completely bamboozled”.
Survival
“After 22 weeks into my wife Cindy’s pregnancy, the medical people advised us to have a termination. They said there was a less than 50% chance the baby would survive for a week,” he said.
“We were told it had an ‘intestinal malrotation’ which basically meant his intestine was all mixed up.
“Medical experts told us three times during the pregnancy he would not have a spleen. However David has a spleen and his intestine and bowel is normal. He has a heart condition which is being monitored. We are absolutely overjoyed.”
Liam said the couple were grateful for support from the Irish community in Australia “as well as people at home”. Speaking from Greencastle, his mother Nuala Glass – who was at the birth – said it was “unbelievable when David was born. It is a miracle and the doctors are baffled. David is beautiful and all we have are tears of joy.”