National Day of Remembrance
Today is the National Day of Remembrance of Pregnancy & Infant Loss. (click the banner for more information.)
31% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Many of these happen so early in the pregnancy that a woman might not even know she miscarried - these are more commonly known as "chemical pregnancies." But, chances are with this percentage rate you or someone you know has probably suffered this loss.
I had my first miscarriage July 2, 1999. Thus began my long journey through infertility, loss, and miracles. I had several subsequent chemical pregnancies, and 3 more miscarriages. Although I now am Mommy to my two darling children, the pain of pregnancy loss is still quite raw for me.
It's not something one can "get over." And although time does allow for healing and renewed joy, there is always a shadow when I think of lost due dates, birthdays that will never be...
I have many dear friends who I met through infertility and pregnancy groups online who are still in the throes of their quest for a child. I have friends who have had early, mid-term, and even late miscarriages and still births.
Here are some of their stories...
My darling friend, Sammie, has a beautiful blog dedicated to her twin sons - Nathan and Noah. They were born at 24 weeks, 3 days gestation. Sweet Noah passed away at only 12 days old... Nathan is an incredibly smart and precocious 4-year-old.
My friend since high school, Natalie, has been through incredible loss. Not only has she suffered the loss of multiple singleton pregnancies, but also the loss of twins. She and her husband were blessed through adoption with their gorgeous son, Caleb. Then they were confronted with even more loss as the doors to Guatemalan adoption were slammed while they were still in the process of finalizing their adoption of their daughter, Mia. Mia is now lost to bureaucracy and her loss is still profoundly felt. The blessings for their family were not over, though. They have since adopted their 2nd daughter, Caitlyn, and are living their "amazingly blessed" lives.
I had my first miscarriage July 2, 1999. Thus began my long journey through infertility, loss, and miracles. I had several subsequent chemical pregnancies, and 3 more miscarriages. Although I now am Mommy to my two darling children, the pain of pregnancy loss is still quite raw for me.
It's not something one can "get over." And although time does allow for healing and renewed joy, there is always a shadow when I think of lost due dates, birthdays that will never be...
I have many dear friends who I met through infertility and pregnancy groups online who are still in the throes of their quest for a child. I have friends who have had early, mid-term, and even late miscarriages and still births.
Here are some of their stories...
My darling friend, Sammie, has a beautiful blog dedicated to her twin sons - Nathan and Noah. They were born at 24 weeks, 3 days gestation. Sweet Noah passed away at only 12 days old... Nathan is an incredibly smart and precocious 4-year-old.
My friend since high school, Natalie, has been through incredible loss. Not only has she suffered the loss of multiple singleton pregnancies, but also the loss of twins. She and her husband were blessed through adoption with their gorgeous son, Caleb. Then they were confronted with even more loss as the doors to Guatemalan adoption were slammed while they were still in the process of finalizing their adoption of their daughter, Mia. Mia is now lost to bureaucracy and her loss is still profoundly felt. The blessings for their family were not over, though. They have since adopted their 2nd daughter, Caitlyn, and are living their "amazingly blessed" lives.
The stories are many, and the lives touched are exponential.
Please take a moment to think of those who have experienced this incredible grief.
Comments
Hugs,
Kristinexx