Kailee DeSpain, residing outside Austin, is a proud multi-generational Texan whose husband, Cade, descends from one of the state’s original settler families. Raised in a conservative central Texas household, Kailee describes her former self as a “quintessential pro-life Texan.” In the early years of her marriage, Kailee experienced severe complications from two miscarriages and an early delivery where the 16-week old fetus did not survive, opening her eyes to the reality that pregnancy can be very dangerous. Having also previously survived cervical cancer, Kailee and Cade were overjoyed to learn Kailee was pregnant in November 2021 with a baby boy they named Finley. The couple cautiously monitored the pregnancy given Kailee’s health history, but were devastated to learn at 15 weeks that Finley had full triploidy, a rare genetic condition that causes severe intellectual disability, physical malformations, and organ anomalies. This serious chromosomal condition most often results in miscarriage or stillbirth. Not only was Finley not going to survive, but due to previous miscarriages, Kailee was at severe risks of blood clots, preeclampsia, and cancer if she carried Finley to term. Despite these factors, Kailee did not qualify for a termination in Texas under current law. While Kailee considered risking her life to carry the pregnancy to term so she could have the chance to hold Finley, the couple ultimately decided that the safest choice was to move forward with the termination. Lacking the necessary funds to travel to New Mexico for the procedure, Kailee and Cade received support from pro-life family members to receive the lifesaving treatment.
The previously passionate pro-life couple now support access to termination so that other families do not have to suffer like them. Following this experience, Kailee’s OB-GYN advised her not to get pregnant in Texas again, prompting the couple to seriously consider moving out of state.