Doctors said her 20-week unborn baby with excess fluid on her brain would never eat or walk — two years later, mom’s choice proved them wrong
Determined mothers have a way of making miracles happen. Doctors once warned a young mother that her unborn child might never live an independent life. During a 20-week scan, large amounts of fluid were found on the baby’s brain, stopping normal growth. On January 6, 2026, a TikTok post shared by @kyliahs.story brought that moment back into focus. The video highlighted Tiffany McBride’s pregnancy and early fears, while showing how one decision changed everything. Instead of preparing for limits placed on her child’s future, she chose to believe in possibilities. Two years later, her daughter’s progress tells a very different story.
The post included images from Kyliah’s life starting before birth. Ultrasound photos showed the fluid buildup, followed by clips of her as a newborn being fed medicine. "You will have a baby born with so much fluid in [sic] her brain that it kept her brain from growing," Tiffany shared in the post. Other images showed swelling and an unusually large head. In the onscreen text, Tiffany wrote that doctors warned her baby “may never sit, crawl, walk, talk, or eat on her own.” She also shared the message she wished she had heard earlier: “It’s important you don’t listen to them.” The post also showed images of the vulnerable child with tubes in her nose as she fought the condition at such a young age. Tiffany later explained in another post that Kyliah was born with hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid builds up in the brain. At birth, her right side had more than 19 millimeters of fluid, while the left had over 30 millimeters, doctors told her.
In another post, Tiffany shared moments that once felt impossible. Photos showed Kyliah’s first birthday, along with her standing and walking. That one image of her taking her first steps highlighted how important this was for the family, noting that the part of her brain that helped control walking was missing. Earlier warnings echoed again in the text, reminding viewers that doctors had said she might never walk. Yet clips showed her moving on her own, playing, dancing lightly, and sitting beside her two siblings. In the viral post, she was seen smiling while holding a family dog. These everyday scenes reflected slow but steady progress, turning statements like “she may never” into moments of proof that growth can happen in unexpected ways over time.
The story gained wide attention online, reaching more than 255,500 views since being posted. Many parents shared similar experiences in the comments, offering support and hope. @rachel.nicole312 mentioned, "My daughter also has hydrocephalus, mild. When she was a month, she had a reservoir placed and had it removed in June. Her brain has been stable, thank God! She has her 6-month follow-up with her neurosurgeon in a couple of weeks and a repeat MRI in March." @itwillbelessfun commented, "You were so brave and strong in your love!" @gray_dilligaf_ban wrote, "Had a brother-in-law who was born with hydrocephalus. He got tubes placed and is now a 100% normal and functioning adult."
For more updates on Kyliah's condition, follow @kyliahs.story on TikTok.