Lindsey and Steve Justice wanted a third child. But when Lindsey was diagnosed with PCOS, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, they turned to fertility drugs. It wasn't long after that Lindsey was able to give Steve the wonderful news. To their surprise, Lindsey had not only gotten pregnant, but was pregnant with seven girls. They couldn't be more overjoyed.
Their doctor, however, was concerned. He called the pregnancy dangerous, and advised that they "selectively reduce" in order to increase the chances of survival. A pregnancy of septuplets is so rare, there aren't any reliable statistics to show safe delivery of all seven, but the average pregnancy of quads lasts only 29 weeks. Lindsey had to reach 23 weeks for their babies to have a chance of survival. They didn't even need to discuss it. Early termination of any of their children was not an option for them. Instead, they held to their faith, and named all seven. The first letter of each name together spelled Messiah.
What follows is nothing less than heartbreaking. At 12 weeks, Lindsey miscarried one of the seven babies. This must certainly have been a difficult time for them, but when she went into labor at week 21 and lost the remaining babies, nothing could prepare them for the pain. Still in mourning, they cradle a receiving blanket every night. One for each of the girls they lost.
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