Andrea West’s journey into motherhood was anything but easy. Her story of loss, heartbreak, and hope has resonated deeply with parents around the world, encouraging many to speak openly about their own struggles.
A Love Story Turned Fairy Tale
Andrea met her future husband during their college years, and the two quickly knew they were meant to be together. After moving in together in New Jersey, they tied the knot in October 2006. Life felt perfect—and the news that they were expecting their first child only added to their joy.
A Heartbreaking Loss
That joy was shattered just 11 weeks into the pregnancy when Andrea suffered a miscarriage.
“I was an absolute wreck,” she recalls. “I didn’t know who to talk to, what to say, or where to turn. I had no idea that 1 in 4 women experience the same thing, and that so many suffer in silence. I didn’t know if I could ever face pregnancy again.”
Andrea blamed herself for the loss for a long time, but her husband’s unwavering support kept her going.
A Second Chance at Motherhood
Not long after, Andrea found herself pregnant again. Determined to do everything “right,” she followed every piece of advice she could find—avoiding diet soda, deli meat, soft cheese, and sushi. She read every book, joined online communities, and carefully prepared the nursery.
“When I found out I was having a boy, my heart grew three sizes. I couldn’t wait to be a ‘boy mom.’”
Welcoming Baby Adam
On September 21, Andrea delivered her son naturally, despite having very little amniotic fluid. They named him Adam, in honor of her husband’s friend who had passed away at 21 from a brain tumor.
The delivery room was filled with joy—until Andrea noticed the doctor didn’t invite her husband to cut the umbilical cord. Instead, he quickly did it himself and then turned to them with concern.
“‘Honey, there is something wrong with Adam’s leg,’” Andrea remembers him saying. Exhausted and in shock, she tried to brush it off: “‘I’m sure it’s just a bruise.’”
Within minutes, a crowd of doctors, nurses, and students surrounded Adam, examining him before whisking him away to the NICU. Andrea barely had a chance to hold him.
A Rare Diagnosis
Part of Adam’s leg and abdomen were covered in red markings and bruises. After extensive tests, he was diagnosed with a rare vascular malformation called Cutis Marmorata Telangiectatica Congenita (CMTC)—a condition so uncommon that only about 500 cases had been reported at the time.
“In my mind, he was the most beautiful thing I had ever laid my eyes on,” Andrea says. “But I was euphoric and crushed at the same time.”
Thankfully, Adam passed all his brain and heart ultrasounds and was discharged from the hospital.
Learning and Advocating
In the weeks that followed, Adam was seen by dermatologists, geneticists, and orthopedists—all of whom confirmed his tests were normal. Since his birth, Andrea and her husband have immersed themselves in learning about CMTC. They’ve attended medical conferences, including one in Washington D.C., where they met other families navigating the same condition.
Many people, including doctors, had never even heard of CMTC, so Andrea made it her mission to spread awareness.
Thriving Against the Odds
The couple’s biggest fear was whether Adam would fit in with other kids. Today, that fear has been replaced with pride. Adam is thriving—active in sports, surrounded by friends, and keeping up with his peers in every way.
Andrea’s journey is a testament to resilience, love, and the power of a parent’s determination to give their child the best life possible—no matter the challenges.
