After I gave birth to my youngest son, I was adamant that I was done. Our family was complete. Shop was closed. After a very trying pregnancy – physically, mentally and emotionally – there was absolutely no desire to experience those not-so-joyous 30-35 weeks again.
Photo Courtesy of http://darrahdejour.com/In September 2010, when my youngest son was 2 years old, I found out I was pregnant. I experienced a roller coaster of emotions – many not so positive. Ten weeks into my pregnancy I had a miscarriage and was devastated. After seeing an extension of me on an ultrasound and listening to a heartbeat, I truly felt a loss. Many around me couldn’t understand my feelings – heck, I couldn’t understand my feelings. I just knew that I’d gotten attached to this being inside me. My family no longer felt complete.
While we didn’t plan to have another child. We didn’t plan not to.
When I found out I was pregnant again, I didn’t even tell my husband until I was 8 weeks along and then we didn’t tell anyone else until I was out of my 1st trimester. After having my oldest 10 weeks early, going through extra precautions with my youngest son that included bed rest and weekly progesterone shots, and a miscarriage – I knew that this pregnancy was going to be far from a walk in the park.
Thanks to awareness and precautions from my doctors, I was able to carry this baby to 39 weeks.
First Moments, Precious Moments
Words cannot even describe the emotions I felt when I first laid eyes on my daughter
After delivery, her body temperature dropped and it was almost 3 hours before I could hold this bundle of perfection in my arms. I could only look on as she lay in an incubator with my mother and god-sister keeping close watch.
I count my blessings on a regular basis that all three of my children are here. There are trying moments, I cannot lie. However, it’s those moments that I recall those first moments. That feeling of exhilaration when that last push was punctuated with the cries of a small being that was pure love. The anticipation to hold the baby that I’d carried below my heart for months and finally lay eyes on an extension of me.
Not All First Moments Are Happy Ones
Sadly, many parents around the world don’t have the opportunity to share those first moments with their newborns. According to Save the Children’s State of the World’s Mothers report, a baby’s birth day is the most dangerous day of life—in the United States and almost every country in the world. The three leading causes of newborn death are prematurity, birth complications and severe infections. Shockingly to me, more babies die in the US on their birth day than the rest of the industrialized world due to higher rates of prematurity.
Copyright: Save the Children
The report shows that there are inexpensive products that can be better utilized to help save babies worldwide. These products along with early and exclusive breastfeeding, “kangaroo mother care” to keep preterm babies warm against their mothers’ skin, and skilled attendance at birth (40 million women a year now go without) could make a huge impact. Also, investing in girls and women worldwide is essential. Their improved nutrition and empowerment to attend school, delay marriage and plan and space births all lead to healthier mothers and babies.
See the full rankings, learn more and take action at www.savethechildren.org/
jheylo says
I have 3 pregnancies but only 2 were born. I had miscarriage during my first pregnancy and I was 11 weeks pregnant then. I always wonder what would be the gender or looks and features of my supposedly first born child. It makes me cry now 🙁 just thinking of it.
mharms says
Very touching story. I know it’s very painful. But just a moment of time, you felt very happy that you have seen your little one.
Nova says
Very heartfelt story you have here. I have the same feeling when I loss the growing part of my family too. I truly could not understand but acceptance would make it easier. Maybe in God’s time that precious will soon come again.
Melinda Kuffler Dunne says
Great post! I understand your experience with pain and loss. I have also lost 3 babies due to miscarriages. After I lost the last one I ended up with cervical cancer and unable to have more children. It is a very painful subject for me but congratulations on your last addition.
Jennifer Williams says
I never knew the rates were that high. I am sorry for your loss and I completely understand the pain as I have been there a few times before having a successful pregnancy with my youngest. Congratulations on your beautiful family and thank you for sharing something so painful to help raise awareness.
becca112971 says
I’m sorry but I couldn’t make it pass the first paragraph not that there is anything bad about this post it’s just reading or thinking of losing a child brings back to many memories and i couldn’t handle it sorry. may you and your family be blessed always.
Patricia Woolverton says
The stats for sure make you realize how lucky you really are. I love the video of your beautiful baby and family. Thank you for sharing that with us.
sharon martin says
ovely video. Such a shock to see the heartbreaking srtats above, it makes you realize just how lucky we all are. Thanks for sharing.x.
Sharon Martin says
Lovely video. Such a shock to see the heartbreaking srtats above, it makes you realize just how lucky we all are. Thanks for sharing.x.
kenyagjohnson says
Awww Michelle that was a beautiful video – love the song choice. My son had to go back in the hospital after he was born. He was 10 lbs. I just kept saying he is too big for anything to be wrong with him. Poor thing, he wasn’t getting enough to eat – he was dehydrated and had jaundice. I am glad it wasn’t major but at the same time – that was my baby and it was major. Before him I also had a miscarriage at 3 months. It’s been ten years now, and I still think about it sometimes.
Beth Zimmerman says
I only had one and his birth was a miracle pure and simple! I am so grateful that he and I both survived and that he is part of my life! Thank you for sharing this!