Madysen Wilcox has chosen a difficult path. She shared with the public what has helped her stay strong in adversity: her faith in God.
The 29-year-old stay-at-home mom is currently in the third trimester of her pregnancy (32 weeks at the time of writing). She is carrying her third child, a baby boy named Charlie, with her 34-year-old husband, Darin Wilcox.
After learning that their unborn son had a fatal condition, Madison and Darin bravely decided not to terminate the pregnancy. Instead, the heartbreaking diagnosis has led the couple to see life in a whole new light.
“I look at my (two) kids, like walking miracles because they are so perfect and healthy,” she told Epoch Times, “my faith is the only way I can get through this whole process.”
Madysen mentioned that this experience has been very helpful in teaching her children about understanding God and His love and compassion.
The Wilcox couple chooses to lead their family by example, showing their 6-year-old daughter Havyn and 3-year-old son Harvey how to endure difficulties through faith.
Looking back, Madysen can clearly see God’s hand in their lives and how He has guided them to make the best decisions for their family. “I truly believe God tests us to strengthen us and change us. I believe God trusted me to carry this angel, so I believe He will help me through this challenge.”
The couple was thrilled when they found out they were expecting a baby boy back in February. However, complications arose in the early stages of the pregnancy.
Around six weeks into the pregnancy, Madysen started experiencing complications. An ultrasound revealed a small subchorionic hematoma (a blood clot formed from a ruptured blood vessel) and she was put on pelvic rest for two weeks. The hematoma quickly resolved, and everything seemed fine.
But as they reached the mid-term of the pregnancy, Madysen began to uncover more issues. A second ultrasound showed another hematoma and abnormalities in the development of the baby’s brain. Technicians also struggled to find the baby’s nasal bone.
At 18 weeks, Madysen’s worst fears materialized during a high-risk prenatal scan when the ultrasound technician remained silent for an unusually long time.
“After what felt like an eternity of silence, Darin finally asked her how things were going. I will never forget the words that came out of her mouth. She simply said, ‘I am very concerned’,” Madysen said.
Madysen’s heart started pounding as she felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. Soon after, the doctor walked into the room and delivered the diagnosis to the anxious parents: Alobar Holoprosencephaly (HPE) – a congenital condition where the baby’s brain cannot divide into left and right hemispheres.
The couple learned that baby Charlie also had multiple heart defects, and the diagnosis of Alobar HPE was fatal.
“At that moment, my soul left my body,” she said, “then he told us that most patients diagnosed with this condition choose to terminate the pregnancy, and then he left the room to give us a moment alone.”
Heartbroken, Madysen felt like she was about to throw up, and she ran to the sink. But before she could get there, her legs gave out. Through tears, she said, “How do we tell the kids?”
“My whole world felt like it was about to collapse; I was suffocating,” she said, “we had just been told our child would not survive, and it was all shocking to me.”
“We suspected Down syndrome when we made the appointment, not a fatal diagnosis. That was the last thing we wanted to hear.”
The fatal diagnosis forced Madysen to reconsider her strong anti-abortion stance. Though she still opposed abortion, she was uncertain what the “morally right thing to do” was.
“Once this was the decision we were forced to make, we had to reassess everything we ever thought or believed,” she said, “when faced with choosing when and how the baby would pass away, it’s an impossible decision to make.”
“Deciding to carry Charlie to term was a decision after prayer. We prayed every night to make the best decision for our family and asked God to help us make the right decision.”
After much contemplation, the couple initially decided to terminate for medical reasons. They believed that early induction would spare Charlie from suffering and “humanely” let him pass away rather than him taking his last breath after birth. They also believed it would spare their family from additional trauma.
“In hindsight, I realize my thoughts were wrong,” she said, “carrying him was the best thing that could have happened to our family.”
Madysen recalled facing multiple obstacles when they first decided on termination. Planned Parenthood’s schedules were booked so she had to wait until 26 weeks to schedule, which was too late. She also found out that her insurance didn’t cover the procedure.
“After all these obstacles, we did have other options. However, in our hearts, we felt that this was the answer we had been praying to God for. He had made it clear that we should carry Charlie to term, and terminating the pregnancy was not the right decision for our family,” she said.
“We believe our time on earth is a fleeting moment in eternity, so it helps me to know I will see Charlie again – we will all be reunited.”
Today, Madysen remains confident in her affirming choice to live her life.
Charlie is due in October, and the period leading up to his birth is fraught with uncertainties.
“We really don’t know how long he will live,” Madysen said, “we basically have to be prepared for every outcome.”
Through their shared ordeal, Madysen and her husband have grown closer in their ninth year of marriage.
If she could speak to herself during those early, sorrowful days after the diagnosis, Madysen would remind herself to live in the moment and lean on her faith. She also expressed gratitude for the support of her family, friends, and even her TikTok account followers @mamafitmadz.
The brave mom extends her thanks to those who have shown her love, compassion, and prayers during her ordeal.
“It means a lot,” she said, “I will never forget anyone who showed kindness, love, and sympathy during this journey.”
Undoubtedly, the past few months have been tough, but this family continues to rely on strength and faith. Ultimately, the couple has entrusted their trial to God’s hands and found peace.
“I am glad we left the decision to God, we listened to His guidance, as now looking back, I realize that the decision of how and when to call Charlie back to heaven really doesn’t depend on me – it depends on God. Knowing this, I feel very peaceful,” she said.
“He will always be our son; he will always be our third child. My two children will always know they have a younger brother watching over them.”