As I have shared the past few years, and as many o fyou already know, October 15th is designated as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Last year I shared some research on some statistics related to this and found the following...
-According to emedicine, the overall miscarriage rate is 15-20%. Some physicians believe this percentage may even be higher, as miscarriage can often occur before a woman even knows she is pregnant.
- Approximately 25,000 babies are stillborn each year in the United States, and according to the March of Dimes, about 19,000 babies die within the first month of life (called neonatal death).
- SIDS claims the lives of over 7000 babies each year nationally.
One of the reasons I am so anxious (in a good way) to get the Isaac Delisle Foundation up and running is that there is clearly a huge need for additional support for bereaved parents. Many, many people are affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. And if you are one of those people I want you to know this: your child matters.
So, once again this year, I would like to do a few things this October 15th.
First, I would like to pray for you. If you are comfortable, please feel free to share as much of or as little of your story in a comment below. Spencer will be busy with the guys from our small group tomorrow evening, and I would like to take that time to pray. Also, I would like to invite those of you reading to pray for the people who have courageously shared their stories.
Secondly, as the http://www.october15th.com/ site has announced, you are invited to light a candle on October 15th at 7pm in your time zone to create a wave of light in remembrance of the child/children that you have lost, or in honor of someone else who has lost a child thought miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death.
So, I will start...
My name is Stacy. In the fall of 2007, we lost baby #1 to a miscarriage due to triploidy discovered at 13 weeks. On October 7, 2008, we met our precious son Isaac at 8:33 am. He passed away due to complications from a series of congenital birth defects 16 minutes later. He is deeply, deeply missed and so incredibly loved.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Infant and Pregnancy Loss Remembrance Day
Posted at 1:45 PM
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32 comments:
My name is Katrina. Our firstborn son Dylan Gabriel died on June 17, 2008 after only 6 days of life. He was born with a series of congenital birth defects, including a congenital heart condition (HRHS) and a single, failing kidney. We think about him and miss him daily.
Kat @ In Dylan's Memory
My name is Kimberly. On September 13, 2007 my husband and I found out that our first child had died. I was 12 weeks pregnant. We had been married only 6 months and conceived unexpectedly. After trying to conceive for more than a year, we got pregnant again. That baby died at 12 weeks from Trisome 13, I am a carrier. Since that day, January 6, 2009, we have actively been trying to grow our family. I am afflicted with PCOS, and facing the possibility of more losses due to the Trisome. 3 1/2 years we've been waiting to hold our child. God has been gracious, and he is healing both of us. Please, pray that he will bless us with children soon.
My Natalie Sapphira was born on March 14, 2006. She passed away 38 hours and 58 minutes later from acrania. We look forward to the day that we will be able to look into Jesus' face and snuggle our Natalie again.
My name is Trena. On August 15, 2010 my water broke while I was sleeping. I was just 22 weeks 1 day pregnant with my twin boys. I delivered Bryston vaginally just 3 minutes after arriving at the hospital. He lived for 5 1/2 hours. I had to have an emergency c-section with Colton, he was breech. He lived for 70 minutes. August 15th was the worst day of my life. I miss my sons. But I am doing anything and everything to keep their memory alive. I will be lighting candles for them tomorrow night as well as lighting candles for other angel babies.
"so with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." John 16:22
www.trena-freetofly.blogspot.com
My name is Christy. In 2007 my husband and I began our journey to expand our family. Unfortunately that journey began with two early miscarriages. Our third pregnancy was monitored closely and miraculously our son was born perfect and healthy in November 2008. In January 2010 we lost another baby at 14 weeks due to trisomy 13. Three months ago we went through our fourth miscarriage, we lost that baby at 9 weeks with no cause known. We are praying for more children and continue to seek God's ultimate plan through all of this.
Your blog has been such an inspiration.
Christy @ Fearfully. Wonderfully.
My name is Jusika. I experienced my first ectopic pregnancy last year on 10.13.09 where I lost my left tube. I just experienced a miscarriage where they had to go in and do a D&C yesterday on 10.13.10.
My name is Beth and almost 4 years ago we lost our firstborn son Charlie at 4 days old due to a congenital heart defect. We had two miscarriages after losing him, and have since been blessed with our two rainbow baby girls, Kate and Maggie.
My name is Lauren and I'm married to a wonderful man named James. We have a two year old daughter, and one week ago today (October 7th), we lost our second child to miscarriage. I was 12 weeks along. There was no explanation. Our hearts are broken, but we're hopeful and faithful that God has another blessing waiting for us in the future.
I am praying for each of you and your sweet angels. God bless!
My name is Rachel and on August 6, 2010 I met my first-born son Ethan Michael. Ethan developed with LBWC and fell asleep in his Daddy's arms seven minutes later. We grieve his loss every day but long for the day we can meet him again, this time without ever having to say goodbye.
My name is Susi. After a picture perfect pregnancy, great experience with L&D we happily welcomed our firstborn son Lucas Alexander in our arms on October 24, 2008. We spent exactly 1 month with our precious little boy at home and then things suddenly changed. We ended up in ER on November 24, 2008 and left the hospital empty handed. The autopsy report later found that Lucas had a congenital heart defect (TAPVR). We miss him terribly and not one day goes by that we do not think of him.
My name is Colleen. On October 21, 1995 my older sister lost her 3 month old daughter to SIDS. Our family will never be the same again since losing Brittney Aileen.
On August 23, 2010 my husband and I witnessed the heartbeat of our baby on an ultrasound. There were concerns with the heart rate, and when we returned 3 days later for another ultrasound, our baby's heart had stopped beating.
I will never stop grieving the loss of my niece, and the loss of our own baby. They both heard a very special place in my heart.
My name is Ashley. July of 2009 my husband and I lost our firstborn daughter at almost 38 weeks. We had been to the doctor 2-3 days before she died. Things were looking great the whole pregnancy. If anything, it was the fact that I am diabetic that took her but it will never be determined. We are expecting our second baby girl November 18th of this year via scheduled c section. We specifically need prayer for this little girl to be born alive and healthy and live for many years (she is doing perfectly right now) and our nerves of course get on edge a lot!
thank you. www.lifewithmyrainbowbaby.com
My name is Lindsey. My fiance and I were given the greatest surprise and gift of our lives when we learned we were pregnant with our first in late March 2010. From day one felt a strong presence that this baby would be a boy. I began calling him My Little Monkey. I had a miscarriage on May 1, 2010 at 8 weeks 2 days. I'm still recovering emotionally and dreading my EDD which was 12/10/10. We are going to hopefully try again after our wedding this May.
I pray for all of u
My name is KC, and we lost our first beautiful baby in August 2008 at 13 weeks. We then went on to have an amazing son in July 2009, who is truly the light of our lives. When we decided to try for a second, we were excited to have it happen right away but we lost that baby at 8 weeks. My doctor did some tests, and we found out I have a clotting disorder, so now I'm pregnant again and I've been on a regimen on drugs to keep this little guy safe in my belly. He should be arriving any day now, and I thank God every day for that!
My name is Holly. My husband and I lost our first child, Jordan Leigh, on December 19, 2002. While many people may not consider this loss important to us because we chose to end the pregnancy, this baby is to us now. God has forgiven us for the choice we made and we have forgiven ourselves. All we can do now is love our baby from here til we are reunited. Our second loss is our daughter, Carleigh McKenna. She was born still on March 28, 2009. She was diagnosed with anencephaly midway thru my pregnancy and we carried her to term. We can't wait until the day when we can see her again.
My name is Kristine. On March 20, 2009 our family welcomed our second daughter, Leah Grace. She is our miracle baby, for at her 20 week ultrasound we were told her she suffered from a rare brain malformation called Alobar Holoprosencephaly (HPE). We were told she would never reach our arms alive. Yet she was born at full term, and we were blessed with 99 days full of love, blessings and growing faith, as we surrendered our plans for our daughter to the Lord.
It was on June 27, 2009 that our little sweet pea was eternally healed from the many severe challenges that her body faced here on earth.
Even in losing my daughter, I have hope. For I believe the subject of one's hope is what can bring strength and comfort in the very face of despair and seemingly hopeless circumstances. With my faith, trust and hope placed firmly in Jesus, I eagerly await my reunion with Leah in Heaven.
It is by God’s strength alone, I am learning to smile through the tears, as I get better at answering the simple questions in life again. How many children do I have? I have 2 beautiful daughters, and each is a precious gift from the Lord!
She is still such a special part of our family, and her name in on our lips each and every day! We miss her so much, and are thankful for the time we had with her!
http://leahgracejarmer.blogspot.com
My name is Mari-Beth. Our second son, Joaquin was born to heaven on October 15, 2007. He was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 and his heart gave out on him when I was seven and a half months pregnant with him. We will always miss him and what could have been. Not one day passes where we don't think of him.
My name is Amanda. My husband and I lost our first baby due to an ectopic pregnancy and I subsequently lost my left tube. Our third son, Gavin Michael was born April 7, 2008 after a picture perfect pregancy. He was a beautiful, perfect 7lb 2oz baby boy. Unfortunately, he suffered a devastating brain injury sometime in the two weeks before I had him and he was born neurologically devastated. It was discovered that my husband and I both have clotting disorders after Gavin was born. We will never know whether it was our clotting disorders or some type of in utero cord accident that caused his neurological insult. We knew nothing before he was born. We were blessed to have him for 26 days before he passed away in my arms. After losing Gavin, we were blessed with our daughter Emerson Laine and she is an absolute joy. I continue to struggle with my grief each day and would give anything to hold him again.
My name is Paige. Our first daughter was still born on May 15, 2008 after complications of HELLP syndrome. We now have our sweet rainbow baby, Callyn Joy, who turned one today!
My name is MaryBeth. I found out I was pregnant with my first baby on November 17, 2007. My husband and I were ecstatic, as we had tried for over a year to get pregnant. I had some spotting a few days later, and was very worried. Subsequent blood tests and ultrasounds revealed that I most likely had an ectopic pregnancy. I lost my baby officially on November 29, 2007, when my final ultrasound confirmed the ectopic, and I was treated with the Methotrexate injections. Ultimately, the injections didn't work, and I ended up having emergency surgery on December 12th to remove my ruptured left tube. I have since been blessed with 2 daughters, born 15 months apart.
My name is Michelle and I had a miscarraige in March and again on my birthday last week. I have 2 children and we have gone through 18months of fertility drugs/procedures to have a 3rd. This year has changed me so much. My prayers go out for all requests.
Michelle
My Name is iko.
I join you from greece, where I spend holidays with my wonderful Family (We are German:-)..
We have three sweet children of 4, 3 and 1, our little son in the middle has Trisomy 21 and is loved very much by us and bis sisters. We've learned already a Lot through our Journey with him, and now we face a New Round: I am pregnant with a little girl named Valentina who is due on January and who has Anencephaly. We try to enjoy our little unborn baby as long as she is here with us, but it is often very hard to face what is going to happen in the future...
So I am not yet completeley right here, since she is still alive and happily kicking inside my belly, but I would be very happy, if you
would pray for us too...and I will pray for all of you aswell!
My name is Cecilia. Our firstborn son Ethan was stillborn on April 28, 2009 due to complications of pre-e and HELLP syndrome. We miss him terribly but grieve with hope that we will be reunited one day.
My name is Jennifer. I've had 3 second trimester miscarriages. I still think of these 3 sweet boys and can't wait to meet them in heaven.
Samuel ~ October 31, 2006
Isaiah ~ March 18, 2007
Joshua ~ May 25, 2009
My name is Myndee. On June 13, 2007 I found out I was expecting our first child, after only one month of trying. Four short days later, I miscarried. The doctors called it a "chemical pregnancy". To me, it was much more than that. We went on to have a wonderful daughter, Kadence, who just celebrated her 2nd birthday. In late June, 2010, I found out I was expecting again. The joy and excitement took over right away, and I started to write letters to my "baby dos". Again, after only 4 days, I miscarried. I am thankful every day for the children we have, but I do still think of and cry for the ones we didn't. I know that we will see them again in Heaven one day, even if, according to the doctors, it was "just a chemical pregnancy".
My name is Carly. My firstborn son William Michael was born 3 months early on January 17th, 2008 and went to heaven on January 26th, 2008. My son was born 3 months early due to severe preeclampsia/HELLP. We love and miss our sweet Will every second of every day.
My name is Chasity. I had two missed miscarriages in 2009. God blessed us with a miracle baby boy in August 2010.
My name is Amy. After trying to conceive for 7 years, and after having a kidney transplant in 2003,we were blessed with the arrival of our sweet baby girl Jordyn on 12/06/2007. We were thrilled to get pregnant again last year, and were expecting a May 2010 arrival. On 11/10/09 I went to the dr due to some spotting and the sonogram revealed no heartbeat. I had a D&C the next day and chromosome testing revealed triploidy. It also revealed that our sweet baby was also a girl. May our Angel rest in peace always in heaven.
On Jan 7, 2008 at 7wks3d pregnancy our baby's heartbeat had stopped. We now have our daughter, Emma, born on Nov 25, 2008. God is good.
My name is Ashley. I lost my Kingston just 73 minutes after birth on 8/11/2010 to trisomy 18. His twin sister is still here to keep us smiling. What a blessing.
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