The 20-Week Ultrasound Shock
Marie Filatov and her fiancé Jack were overjoyed to be expecting their first child together. Everything seemed perfect until their 20-week anatomy scan, a pivotal moment in any pregnancy.
“I was ecstatic about becoming a mom for the first time. But that ultrasound changed everything. When the doctor finished, he gently said, ‘Everything looks good… except your baby is missing her left hand,’” Marie recalled.
In that moment, Marie felt the world crumble around her, while Jack was devastated. “I was completely shocked. I wondered what this meant for her future, if there were other issues. It felt like a nightmare,” she said.
The ultrasound revealed the baby was missing her left hand.
Their daughter, Myla, was later diagnosed with limb reduction defect, a rare condition affecting about 1 in 2,100 newborns in the U.S., according to the CDC. While this defect can impact mobility or appearance, most children with limb differences develop normal cognitive and physical abilities. Many learn to adapt using their existing limbs or with the help of prosthetics, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.
Doctors suspected a blood clot or vascular issue early in the pregnancy disrupted Myla’s arm development. “We were terrified about her future. But all our fears vanished the moment she was born,” Marie remembered.
“My Child is Perfect in Her Own Way”
The moment Marie and Jack saw their daughter, they knew Myla was as perfect as any other child. “She’s absolutely perfect. From day one, she’s filled us with pride with her resilience and joy for life,” Marie said.
Despite having only one hand, Myla has thrived. She’s learned to climb, hold a cup, play with toys, and embrace new challenges without hesitation.
“Recently, she figured out how to climb the slide without gripping both sides. She found her own way to pull herself up. She’s truly inspiring,” Marie shared.
Myla is not only strong but also incredibly loving. She’s close to her older half-brother and adores her newborn brother, Hayes. “She loves playing ‘mommy’ with him, feeding him bottles and helping me change diapers. Watching them together makes me feel so blessed,” Marie said.
She grows up with strength and optimism.
When Marie shared her pregnancy journey on TikTok, she didn’t want to relive the pain but to inspire parents facing similar news.
“We’ve come a long way from fear and despair to joy and pride. I want people to see that differences don’t define happiness. Children like Myla can live full, joyful lives,” she said.
Marie hopes her story will shift societal perceptions of differences. “I wish the world would be kinder to those who look different, to celebrate uniqueness. And I hope other parents will trust that their children will be okay,” she added.
