Congresswoman's Baby Born Without Kidneys

U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler's first child has survived two weeks after birth despite a pregnancy problem that is usually fatal.

Herrara Beutler (BUT'-ler) announced Monday that her daughter, Abigail Rose Beutler, was born July 15. Doctors had diagnosed a serious problem during the pregnancy called Potter Syndrome, in which impaired kidney function leads to low amniotic fluid. It is typically fatal because it prevents the unborn child's lungs from developing.

Abigail has no kidneys and had no amniotic fluid in the womb. During the pregnancy, doctors injected saline solution into the womb in the place of amniotic fluid.

Abigail was born early but had fully developed lungs. She requires ongoing dialysis and will eventually need a kidney transplant.