Wednesday, September 5, 2012

I knew my baby would die before she was born

This is how another mother, and blogger, put it:

"I fit into a unique niche that is becoming more prevalent; I knew my baby would die before she was born.  When I was twenty-three weeks pregnant, she was diagnosed with Trisomy 13 and we were told she may be stillborn or live minutes, hours, ..." 

This sounds all too familiar to me.

You can read this other mother's story at glow in the woods.  I hope you do.  It is honest and real.  I can relate to it on many levels.

We are becoming more prevalent -- parents who know, long before they are born, that our babies will not survive.  Largely because of advances in prenatal testing and mainstream access to these tests.

While it is a sad and devastating reality, I am encouraged by others speaking out and by the awareness I hope it brings.  So that compassionate care and support to those like us will improve. 

There is certainly room for improvement.  We can not pretend that situations like this don't happen.  Or that they only happen to other people.

We can not assume that the quick fix is the only option.  Or that it is the right option for every parent.

It is not comforting to watch others look at you with I-wish-I-knew-how-to-help-you expressions on their faces.

I am striving to educate and raise awareness for this increasingly prevalent group of parents like us that deserve understanding, compassionate care and support.