Helping Baby Z get "Home"

This page was created due to the overwhelming response from friends and family concerning the potential medical expenses and final arrangements for Baby Z. The goal is to assist by donating towards medical and funeral expenses to make the final days and weeks a little easier on the Zapotocky and Ray families.

Adam and Whitney have had many close to them inquire about how to help during this difficult time and waiting process. A group of friends in East Texas banded together to set up this page. We figured the least we could do was help expedite what is sure to be a long and difficult time for them after Baby Z leaves this world.


Only God knows His divine plan and sometimes He does what we never expect (what we tend to call a "miracle"). If God's plan is for Baby Z to be delivered healthy, all funds collected will be donated for Potter's Syndrome research. There are many organizations out there and Adam and Whitney are searching for the best one.

In the meantime, they are beginning to plan for labor, a funeral, and burial for when their little one is called home."

Please read what Whitney shared earlier this week regarding sweet Baby Z:


Friends and Family,

We have some not so good baby news....you may want to grab the box of Kleenex before continuing.

Let me preface this post by saying, Adam and I are doing ok; we've had some time to digest the information and are taking things one day at a time....

Early into our marriage, we announced that we were expecting our first bundle of joy in October 2014. On June 5th, we were informed by our doctor at UT Southwestern during a sonogram that there is very little amniotic fluid around the baby, and that this was a big concern. The following day, after an MRI and meeting with specialists, it was confirmed that Baby Zap has Renal Agenesis, better known as Potter's Syndrome. In a nut shell, Baby Z didn't develop any kidneys. None. Zip, Zero, Zilch. The problem with no kidneys is that by 20 weeks gestation, the main source of amniotic fluid is the baby's urine. (No kidneys means no urine.) The problem with not having any/enough amniotic fluid (my A/F is in the 5th percentile) is that the lungs can't develop properly. (Baby Z's lungs are in the 10th percentile).

Going forward, these are the possibilities:

1) Because there is no amniotic fluid, the baby can easily roll over onto the umbilical cord (since it can't "float" out of the way) cutting off the oxygen supply. This can happen at any time during the remainder of the pregnancy. If that happens, I will have to be induced at that time, going into labor with a still born baby.

2) Since labor is traumatic for a healthy baby, and ours won't be healthy, there is a good possibility our baby will die during labor.

3) If we somehow make it through the first 2 possibilities, our baby still won't have well functioning lungs and is not going to survive long after childbirth (about 24 hrs max).

There is nothing we can do. The ultimate outcome is that we won't be bringing this baby home from the hospital. To date, only one baby with Potters has survived, and that was only after multiple injections of artificial amniotic fluid (for lung development) and several other procedures. We simply don't meet the criteria.

Now, there is good news to go along with this. First, Renal Agenesis is not genetic, and only occurs in about 1 in 15,000 pregnancies. Therefore, our future pregnancies / kids should not be at risk.

Second, We've decided to focus on 2 things: 1)the Joys of pregnancy and 2)the fact that we Are Able to get pregnant! We are planning to carry to term and Baby Z is moving, squirming, and stomping on my bladder at every opportunity (LOL)!
My Body is doing what it is supposed to in this pregnancy. I'm in good physical health, and doctors have told us that my vitals and whatnot are normal. There is no additional risk come time to go into labor.

Lastly, we are surrounded by wonderful family and friends (including all of you) that constantly remind BOTH of us how blessed we truly are, regardless of the recent news. We've really been amazed and are so grateful to our family and friends for the support net. (Truly, we're thankful that WE are the 1 in 15K to carry this baby instead of a young, scared teen with no family or support. How much more unbearable would this be?!)

Finally, If you're the prayin' kind, please join us in praying for strength and courage as we face these circumstances we CANNOT change. We're also praying (Romans 8:28) that we continue to see the Good that we're believing can and Will come out of this situation.