Photos of Birth Without Fear Today one of my closest friends sent me this Facebook page (link below) and said, “You are not alone. Love you Jo. May this be your rainbow baby.” It truly does help to know you’re not alone! This mom’s story is so incredibly heartbreaking, but also very inspiring. She had the strength to go on after losing so much! Check out her Facebook post below. I recommend reading her story to the end. It’s very sad, but it has silver lining that really reminded me to keep hoping. I am currently in full swing of hormone injections for IVF and about to do my egg retrieval on Friday. I can’t think of a better time to read this story and be reminded that dreams do come true. I have also included a link to her Youtube video. Make sure to have a box of kleenx handy! Facebook post: Photos of Birth Without Fear Youtube video:A Mother and Father’s Journey Through Heartache to Hope
Tag: death of a baby
A Mourning Mom
Tonight, I found a very kind message from a another mom who has had to endure more than any parent should ever have to endure. I was deeply saddened but also inspired by the stories on her blog and wanted to share her link on my blog. amourningmom.com I also found this beautiful quote on her blog. It really says it all. “Do not judge the bereaved mother. She comes in many forms. She is breathing, but she is dying. She may look young, but inside she has become ancient. She smiles, but her heart sobs. She walks, she talks, she cooks, she cleans, she works, she IS, but she IS NOT, all at once. She is here, but part of her is elsewhere for eternity.” –Author Unknown
Creating an Awareness About Preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome
With the anniversary of Holdon’s death last weekend, I have been thinking a lot about my first pregnancy and the events leading up to my emergency c-section at 28 weeks. I was told I had a variant of Preeclampsia, called HELLP Syndrome and that I needed to deliver immediately or I could die. I had very little warning that I had this serious pregnancy complication. My only early symptom was upper abdominal pain, which I mistook for heartburn for weeks before finding out at a doctor’s appointment that I was seriously ill and had to deliver right away. Holdon was born, 3 months early and due to severe growth restriction as a result of a problem with the placenta, he was only the size of a 24-week-old baby, measuring only 1 lb 8 oz at birth. Holdon fought incredibly hard for 3 ½ months in the NICU but in the end it was too much for him. The official report from the doctor on his death certificate, said the cause was Cardiorespiratory Arrest, Multiple Systems Failure, Sepsis, and all a result of Prematurity. My doctor also believed the problem with the placenta is likely the cause of my Preeclampsia. We…Continue reading Creating an Awareness About Preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome
Remembering Holdon
Three years ago today, our beautiful angel Holdon passed away. Every year on this day, I go through the two scrapbooks I made for him. This year, in memory of him, I am sharing some of my favorite pages from his books. I am also including a link to the short story my husband wrote shortly after our son passed away. My husband’s story tells it all. It’s the story of our first pregnancy, the story of all the emotional ups and downs of having a baby in the NICU, and the story of our brave little angel, Holdon. We love you Holdon! Holdon’s Story – Written by Arun Regunathan