The Birth Story Series - Abby’s Story of Love & Loss
The story below is a story of both birth and loss.
Just as it is important to share stories of births that result in healthy babies, it is equally important that stories of pregnancy and infant loss are heard, too. Birth is transformative, beautiful, and profound — this is especially so for births that end in loss.
If you'd like to share your birth story send us an email by filling out our contact form here. All birth experiences and stories are welcome here; epidural, unmedicated, c-section, loss, home birth, however birth looked for you, this is a safe space to share!
After suffering an 8 week miscarriage in November of 2019 and another chemical miscarriage in February 2020, we were pleasantly surprised to find out I was 11 weeks pregnant in April of 2020. We were excited to welcome our double rainbow baby! At our 20 week ultrasound our Hazel was diagnosed with truncus arteriosus (a congenital heart defect) as well as duodenal atresia (stomach issue). I was heavily monitored throughout my entire pregnancy and a plan was made for me to deliver in Madison to be closer to the American Family Children’s hospital.
My water broke while being monitored in Madison and Hazel was born via induction at 35 weeks. Though early, born on October 8, 2020 she came out better than anyone expected at 4lbs 10oz: breathing room air, crying and moving her arms and legs.
At around 17 hours old, after being transferred to AFCH, Hazel suffered a cardiac arrest where she needed life saving CPR. At 10 days old, Hazel passed away in my arms after my husband and I were able to hold her for 21 hours straight. I know she hung on for as long as she did to be able to soak in some extra time with my husband and I. Our family was able to come and meet her prior to her passing. We were able to spend an afternoon with her and our then 3 year old making crafts and mementos. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of Hazel and how and what we would be doing with her. Her big sister talks about her all the time as well and it’s a nice gentle reminder that she is with us no matter what. There will forever be a void in our family. We cannot thank our friends and family for the outpouring love and support we have received and their help in keeping Hazel’s memory alive.
