Posted on 12/31/2025 11:18:10 AM PST by Morgana
After being told their preborn baby had a rare congenital condition, a Tampa, Florida couple made the decision to carry their child to birth and donate her organs in the hopes of saving the lives of others.
Key Takeaways:
* At their 14 week ultrasound appointment Catherine Mornhineway and Andrew Ford were told their preborn baby had anencephaly, a rare condition in which the baby’s skull does not grow, leaving the brain exposed to the amniotic fluid.
* The couple decided not to abort their baby and to deliver her with the intention of donating her organs to help others live.
* They named her ‘Haven’, as they were driving through Winter Haven. The name symbolizes “safe harbor” and “light in the dark."
The Details:
When Catherine Mornhineway and her partner Andrew Ford went to their 14 week ultrasound they were given some unsettling and unexpected news. The doctors told them that there was a chance their baby had a condition called anencephaly, a rare but life-limiting diagnosis that typically causes death at birth or shortly after. In anencephaly, the skull and front of the brain don't form, leaving the brain exposed to amniotic fluid. Sadly, this suspicion was confirmed at a follow up ultrasound. According to the National Institutes of Health, anencephaly occurs in about 1 in 1,000 pregnancies in the United States, but only about 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 10,000 babies is born with the condition due to high miscarriage and stillbirth rates as well as abortion. Thumbnail for Tampa mom knew baby would not live but carried her to term to give others life
Catherine, who also has three other children, told the Tampa Bay Times that "most parents opt to terminate their pregnancy due to the fact that the diagnosis is incompatible with life." She was not sure how to proceed. Despite the harrowing prognosis, the couple began trying to find a ray of light in the darkness. Catherine searched online for families who had faced this same diagnosis to see how they moved forward. In her search she happened upon a TV show that had included a similar storyline in an episode.
“I came across a Grey's Anatomy clip about a character on the show that had a baby with this condition,” Catherine told Fox 13. “And she went along with the pregnancy and donated organs [to other babies], and I thought that was … it really touched me.”
She added:
I was just like, that’s my little girl. I’m going to carry her and spend as long as I can with her.
This opened their eyes and hearts to the option of keeping their baby and donating her organs to save other babies' lives. They then named their daughter Haven, as they were driving through a town called Winter Haven. The name to them symbolized a “safe harbor” and a “light in the dark."
On December 11, Catherine delivered Haven into this world. She and Andrew spent the next four days in awe, loving on their beautiful miracle girl.
“With the little bit of time that we got with her, we just wouldn't trade any of it,” Andrew told Fox 13.
Baby with anencephaly inspires a movement of kindness
Catherine added that they took Haven outside to the hospital’s bereavement garden with the approval of hospital staff so that she could “feel the sun.” When the time arrived for organ donation, the hospital staff lined up in droves to show love and support. A beautiful tribute to a life that made a big impact on so many others.
“Back in the hospital room, she passed on my chest, and, you know, we were all just kind of snuggled into bed, and I just couldn't think of a more beautiful way to say goodbye,” Andrew told FOX 13, adding, “Our miracle becomes someone else's miracle as well.” Haven passed away surrounded by family and abundant love. Why it Matters:
LifeLink, the organ and tissue donation foundation that assisted the family, told FOX 13 that cases like this are extremely rare. "We don’t often hear stories of women carrying babies to term with the sole intent of donating that baby’s organs to someone else who needs a lifesaving transplant," said Sherri Day, LifeLink’s public affairs manager. "What a remarkable family."
The family faced a heartbreaking diagnosis and loss, but chose to find deeper meaning and purpose in their suffering. As one family member told Fox 13, “Her heart will beat on in the lives she saves."
God bless this family, and all those whom Haven shall help with her organs 🙏🏻✝️😢
there ARE some very difficult situations
this couple sounds like they made the best decision possible under the circumstances
God bless this amazing family..Haven lives on in others and she will NEVER be forgotten she lives on forever!
The Culture of Love.
Wonderful thing to do.
Of the “pro-choide” people had their way, they would have mandated an abortion.
Amen.
I found this interesting synopsis of the episode's story arc -
Upon dealing with a brain dead patient, Amelia decided to donate her baby's organs to save multiple other babies all over the country. ("And Then There Was One")
Birth When Amelia went into labor, she first told Jake. She was then taken to St. Ambrose Hospital. A transplant team was composed because of Amelia's wish to donate the baby's organs, but Sam, the only cardiothoracic surgeon in the hospital who was allowed to harvest organs from babies, initially refused to do it. He refused because it was murder in his opinion, as the baby could not be legally declared brain dead because of a functioning brain stem. However, if they'd waited for the baby to die first, the organs wouldn't have been viable anymore, which was why the harvesting had to take place not long after birth. Amelia first didn't want to see her baby, but once he was born, she wanted to see her son. She referred to him as the "most beautiful baby in the world."
The lawyers of the hospital also didn't agree with Amelia's plan. However, seeing Amelia in the hospital room, Charlotte said they would do the surgery. A conversation with Addison and Charlotte's actions also encouraged Sam to take place in the transplant team. His organs were harvested and transported for use.
Impressive couple. Heartbreaking and heartwarming story. Thanks for posting.
These parents are noble! God bless them and the organ recipients!
AMEN!
JUst like Tim Tebow’s Mom when she was advised to abort before he was born.
I cannot imagine the amount of courage it took for them to go through with that. I’m sure their little angel.is looking down and smiling at them
My dear friend, now 50 years old, is an identical twin. When their mother was pregnant there was a critical issue with the pregnancy and she was strongly advised to abort both babies to save her own life.
She refused. Mom is almost 80 now, and the twins are beautiful and smart ladies.
And did Haven's heart stop before they took that and other useful bits?
No, it continued on in her gifts.
^ Wow. Forgive me Lord, for writing off that show! A reminder of how impactful TV can be and why we need good scripts in general — not ones that are preachy…but honest.
”“With the little bit of time that we got with her, we just wouldn't trade any of it,” Andrew told Fox 13.
^ A decision that leaves peace, not trauma.
Catherine added that they took Haven outside to the hospital’s bereavement garden with the approval of hospital staff so that she could “feel the sun.” When the time arrived for organ donation, the hospital staff lined up in droves to show love and support. A beautiful tribute to a life that made a big impact on so many others.
^ Amen! Haven’s life had a purpose that was is so far reaching! She changed lives. And will literally save lives.
A sad, but very beautiful story.
And their child is truly a white martyr.
Memory Eternal!
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