Article Summary –
Megan Kling faced a difficult decision after discovering her fetus had Potter syndrome, a fatal condition characterized by the absence of kidneys and low amniotic fluid, which is incompatible with life. Due to Wisconsin’s abortion laws, she had to travel out of state to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for a second opinion and termination at 23 weeks of pregnancy. Kling shares her story to highlight the need for discussions on abortion care and maternal health, advocating for individuals’ rights to make informed decisions without political or religious interference.
Megan Kling and her husband Sam always envisioned a family with three children. In summer 2023, the couple eagerly anticipated welcoming a baby sister or brother for their daughters, aged five and two. However, a routine 20-week ultrasound revealed concerning news about Megan’s pregnancy.
“My doctor explained there was minimal amniotic fluid, and while she couldn’t confirm the issue due to unclear ultrasound readings, she helped me realize something was seriously wrong,” Megan, 34, told the Wisconsin Independent. “I left that appointment terrified.”
Her doctor referred her to a maternal-fetal medicine expert at Gunderson Luther Medical Center in La Crosse, 60 miles from her Taylor, Wisconsin home, and recommended a further diagnosis at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, nearly 100 miles away.
At 22 weeks, Kling learned her fetus had bilateral renal agenesis, also known as Potter syndrome, a rare condition where the fetus doesn’t develop kidneys.
Her baby lacked kidneys and bladder, as indicated by low amniotic fluid levels detected on ultrasound: “That condition isn’t compatible with life,” Kling explained. “No amniotic fluid means the baby can’t develop lungs or practice breathing in the womb. The baby’s bones also bend under pressure without fluid protection.”
The ultrasound also showed abnormalities in the fetus’s brain and heart.
Potter syndrome occurs in about one in 4,000-10,000 births, reports the Cleveland Clinic.
With the diagnosis confirmed, Kling had to decide whether to carry to term or terminate the pregnancy. Wisconsin bans abortions 20 weeks after fertilization, so an abortion would require travel outside the state.
“Imagining carrying a baby with a 100% fatal prognosis to term was a nightmare,” Kling said. “It’s torture to think about. I didn’t want to endure that knowing my baby would die. I have a strong career and two children to care for.”
On Nov. 9, Kling visited Mayo Clinic in Rochester for a second opinion and final diagnosis. The clinic was prepared to induce labor. She received the abortion medications mifepristone and misoprostol to dilate her cervix and Pitocin to induce contractions.
“I labored for about 12 hours overnight, giving birth to our baby boy the next morning at 23 weeks and two days. I had no complications,” Kling stated.
Doctors weren’t sure if the baby would be stillborn. Kling said Nolan Robert Kling was born with a heartbeat.
“We held him for about an hour until he died in our arms. I held him skin to skin under a heating blanket, and my husband was there,” Kling said. “It was traumatic. I was angry Wisconsin laws meant carrying a 100% fatal baby to term was my only option. I still want a third healthy child, and it was infuriating that doctors couldn’t help due to politics.”
Kling shared her story, highlighting the impact of Wisconsin’s abortion restrictions. “We need to talk about pregnancy complications and respecting individuals’ decisions. No government or religion should prevent people from making the right choice for themselves,” she said.
“Anyone could face my situation; women deserve access to compassionate care without feeling illegal in their state and needing to travel. Not all women have resources to do that. Are we okay with that? I don’t think we are,” Kling added.
Regarding political voting, Kling stated this is a maternal health issue. “No matter who’s in office, it’s crucial to hold representatives accountable for supporting maternal health the way people believe it should be handled,” Kling said. “It’s important to ensure women don’t face state shaming for necessary care during pregnancy.”
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