Still A Part of Us

Michele tell us the story of her beautiful twin babies, Graham and Savannah that were born at 22 weeks. Michele was on bed rest for 10 days due to an incompetent cervix. Her water broke which then caused an infection and forcing them to have to deliver their twin babies. DONATE $5 (aka "buy us a coffee/hot cocoa") to support the continued production of these stories. We appreciate all the help tow...

Father Stephen talks about what he and his wife, Victoria have done to help them remember their daughter Ophelia. Stephen talks about how he openly talks about his children, including Ophelia and that it helps him to connect with other parents of loss. Stephen also advises those looking for grief support groups to "shop around" for one that will fit and benefit you. DONATE $5 (aka "buy us a coffee...

Father Stephen Talks to us about his daughter Ophelia Lennox, who was stillborn at 39 weeks and 4 days. Stephen and his wife Victoria were at one of the last checkups before the due date when the midwife couldn't find a heartbeat. They rushed to the hospital to deliver their daughter Ophelia in January of 2019. DONATE $5 (aka "buy us a coffee/hot cocoa") to support the continued production of thes...

Mom Victoria discusses in this interview the time after her daughter Ophelia was stillborn and what and who helped her, especially her family who were there physically for her and her husband Stephen, but also gave them plenty of space. She also talks about the support groups and women that experienced similar losses that helped her. Listen to Victoria's birth story of Ophelia: https://youtu.be/CT...

Mom Victoria tells about her pregnancy and birth story of her first child Ophelia, who was stillborn at 39 weeks and 4 days. Victoria and her husband Stephen were at her weekly appointment, when the midwife couldn't find Ophelia's heartbeat on the Doppler. They were sent to the nearest hospital, where they confirmed that Ophelia had passed away. Victoria was induced and delivered Ophelia in Januar...

In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we partnered with Stacey Cardon of Soul Garden Coaching to develop this meditation, to have a space to connect with your baby after your baby passed away. We all hope for so many things for your child, and this is a way to feel close to him or her. Find Stacey at Soul Garden Coaching here: https://www.soulgardencoaching.com/ DONATE $5 (aka "bu...

Dad Jeff tells of his beautiful daughter Amber who was born without kidneys and the struggle he and his wife have had with not only the loss of their daughter, but the second loss of a child due to bilateral renal agenesis. And we would like to wish a Happy Birthday to Amber Rae! Listen to Jeff's wife Bre's account of the Amber's birth here: https://youtu.be/vJInExVSl6Y DONATE $5 (aka "buy us a co...

Mom Bre tells of her daughter Amber Rae and how she was born without kidneys (bilateral renal agenesis) like her older brother Jeff Jr. Amber died after living for only 1 hour. Bre tells of her and her husband's grief of losing their 2nd child Jeff Jr first, then getting pregnant and were devastated when they were told Amber didn't have kidneys either. Happy Birthday today, Amber! Listen to Bre's...

Dad Tad shares in the interview what helped him to grieve the loss of his daughter Hazel, who was born still at 36 weeks. He found that taking care of himself physically helped him emotionally. Tad also thinks about how they'll celebrate her upcoming 1st birthday, and Lee advises Tad to be gentle on themselves that day. Tad and his wife Taylor also have a dedicated spot with all of Hazel's things...

Dad Tad recounts the stillbirth story of his daughter Hazel in the middle of the COVID pandemic, telling us of his wife Taylor's early miscarriage, then pregnancy with Hazel and when they found out Hazel's heart wasn't beating anymore. He describes their time in the hospital and when she was born and how perfect she looked. They later made arrangements for her burial and had a beautiful funeral fo...

Dad Tad recounts the stillbirth story of his daughter Hazel in the middle of the COVID pandemic, telling us of his wife Taylor's early miscarriage, then pregnancy with Hazel and when they found out Hazel's heart wasn't beating anymore. He describes their time in the hospital and when she was born and how perfect she looked. They later made arrangements for her burial and had a beautiful funeral fo...

Mom Taylor tells of the struggle she and her husband Tad had after their daughter Hazel was stillborn at 36 weeks, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they were unable to be physically close to others when they may have needed it. But because of that, they were able to draw closer together as a couple, though they grieved and mourned on different timelines and in different ways. Taylor also talk...

Mom Taylor shares the heartbreaking story of finding out that her first child, her daughter Hazel's heartbeat stopped around 36 weeks gestational age and that she would be stillborn . She and her husband Tad were devastated and she describes her pregnancy, finding out, delivering Hazel, and spending time with her in the hospital. She also tells of her beautiful funeral service and the autopsy resu...

With this meditation, we're trying to get comfortable with all the emotions--fear, anger, sadness, weariness--that we may experience after we lose a child or someone close to us. *Please note that there are references to God in this meditation. You can find Stacey and her work here: https://www.soulgardencoaching.com/ DONATE $5 (aka "buy us a coffee/hot cocoa") to support the continued production...

Mark gives his advice on how to grieve after losing his daughter Breklyn only 10 hours after she was born: Grieve in your own way and in your own time. He also talks about how he and his wife Corchele look for Breklyn everywhere (pennies, their Brek bear, and white butterflies), and how they started Because of Breklyn, that raises money to buy unstuffed Build-A-Bears for families of stillbirth or...

Dad Mark describes his wife Corchele's pregnancy with their daughter Breklyn. When her water broke, they headed to the hospital, and while there, Breklyn was under distress and Corchele had to undergo an emergency C-section (where Corchele was completely sedated due to the epidural/nerve block not working originally) in order to deliver Breklyn. The doctor stated that Breklyn wasn't going to make...

Mom Corchele talks about the death of her daughter after 10 hours after her birth due to an infection, and how because of her daughter Breklyn, she and her husband were able to help change hospital policy in their area to help detect this type of infection before it's too late, thus saving more babies' lives. Corchele also recounts how she didn't properly grieve after Breklyn died, how they got pr...

Mom Corchele describes getting pregnant with her fiance Mark and having an uneventful pregnancy with her daughter Breklyn. However, at 39 weeks, Corchele remembers feeling terrible and having a fever. When they go into the hospital, she tells how Breklyn was in distress, so they did an emergency C-section. They gave her ketamine, because the epidural/nerve block wasn't taking effect quickly enough...

In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we partnered with Stacey Cardon of Soul Garden Coaching to develop this meditation, to cultivate compassion and understanding and tenderness toward your body after the death of your baby. After the stillbirth of my son, I felt like my body failed me and him, and it has taken me a lot of prayer, mediation, and pondering to be *okay* with my bod...

Parents Kirby and Tom talk about the aftermath of their first son Tommy's stillbirth, how they stuck themselves in those early months and how their families, God, and service helped them get through the sadness and ache. Kirby talks about feeling a need to adopt and they adopted their son Ace after many disappointments. Shortly after the adoption, Kirby got pregnant and welcomed their son Ace into...

It's October and in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we are sharing some of the worst things people have said to us and other moms and dads that have lost a baby either by stillbirth or infant death, so you know what NOT to say (and what to say) to a loss mom or loss dad. If you're a loss mom/loss dad, what are some of the things you've heard that you would recommend people NOT...

Dad Tom recounts how his wife Kirby noticed decreased fetal movement around 37 weeks of her first pregnancy. They went to check and they were able to find the heartbeat, so they were reassured all was fine. The next day, she noted less movement again and when they went in the second time, they were shocked when there was no heartbeat. Kirby was induced and their son Tommy was born still at 37 week...

Mom Kirby tells about how her first pregnancy with son Tommy and how it was a picture perfect pregnancy. But at around 35-36 weeks, Kirby noticed a drop in her baby's regular movements. She followed up a couple times and was told the baby had a strong heartbeat. Kirby then felt that something was wrong and when they went to the hospital, they were told Tommy no longer had a heartbeat. Kirby delive...

In this interview, dad Jonah talks about the things that helped him after his daughter Lydia was stillborn at 30 weeks because of an umbilical cord accident. He understands that he and his wife Danielle mourn differently and they both strive to help each other in the moment. Jonah also talks about the anger he had after Lydia died and how he had to acknowledge it as part of the grief process. Hear...

Dad Jonah recounts the events of his wife Danielle's first pregnancy, and how he remembers Danielle asking the doctor about whether she should be monitoring the baby's movements. Danielle noticed decreased fetal movements, and when they get to the hospital, they are unable to find Lydia's heartbeat. Lydia Jaelle was stillborn at 30 weeks due to an umbilical cord accident. Listen to Danielle's acco...