fetal demise

Nurses General Nursing

Published

he was 32 wks old. beautiful baby boy with a head full of hair. Weighed in at 2lb 14oz, 16inches long. He made it through the most difficult time and had just 8 weeks left to come into this world. The mother was so excited to welcome another son, and the older brother couldnt wait to welcome his new brother home.

Working the previous noc shift, the mom noticed that the baby was less active and so drove right to ob/gyn's office the next day. Doppler did not pick up a heart beat so u/s was done confirming the bad news.

C/S was scheduled for the next morning to remove the baby.

He is my son whom I had named Ezekiel. The name means strength of God. I was soo looking forward to being his mom. Yet 3 days later, here I lie in bed. In pain from the surgery, with no baby to show for it. Cant play with my other son. i know i may be diving into depression and i will call my doc on monday, but I think I just wanted to share with someone right now before it eats me up. I keep thinking what I did wrong, could I have caught something earlier and saved his life? Maybe it was that cup of coffee I indulged in the other day. I knew I shouldnt have drunk it but did anyways. Or maybe I wasnt getting enough rest. I kept saying noc shift was killing me, but maybe it was really killing my son and I did not realize it

Everyone keeps saying there is a reason for everything, but maybe its too soon for me to consider that angle.

Maybe it will turn out that like his namesake Ezekiel in the Bible, he really was a prophet and his message to me is just not clear right now.

I guess really what am asking for is for the AN community to send good vibes my way.

We like to know why because it supports the illusion that we have control. We blame ourselves for the same reason. The reality is you may never know why your little one died. Until you ask the One who made him and cares for him still.

Marla is right. You get past. You get beyond. But you never get over the loss. To do so would be to say it no longer mattered and that will never be true.

Do keep his name. He was a person on this earth, even though he never drew a breath. He lived in your hearts and will continue to do so.

Talk about him. If the hospital made or will make a remembrance kit, look at it and show it to others who will understand. Ezekiel was here! Even if only for a brief while.

I know you will take pains to make sure that your older son is cared for and help him to work his way through the loss, but the one who usually has the hardest time in the immediate aftermath (because most of the support and attention is directed toward the mother) is the dad. Men try to be strong for their wives, but they hurt, too. And much of the time, they don't know what to do with those emotions. Men want to fix things, and there's no fixing this.

Cry together. Let him lean on you occasionally and talk about his vision of Ezekiel and the loss he feels.

Do some commemorative things as a family. Let your son paint a special picture. Send balloons with messages into the sky. Plant a tree.

Take one day at a time.

Come here and tell us what's on your mind. We'll listen.

On a different note, they used to give parlodel to dry up milk, but I don't know if they do it anymore. Ask your doc. The tip about the cabbage leaves isn't just an old wives' tale. It can really help.

Many hugs to you and yours.

wow..

Thanks guys for all the good vibes my way. I am sure this cloud will lift and I will be able to see the sun again. Your kind words and advice have helped me get through another day.

One of my friends told me to lean on people as needed (It's very hard for me to ask for help). I am glad I spoke up here on AN today because you have truly made today manageable.

Tomorrow, I will do the same, and draw strength from wherever I may find it.

Thank you.

Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

My heart breaks for you. I'm so so so sorry.

I keep my angels in my heart and hope one day I will see them again.

Big hugs. I wish I could take your pain away.

Specializes in CVSICU, Cardiac Cath Lab.

I have no words to express how truly sorry I am for you and your family. My thoughts are with you.

Specializes in LTC.

*hugs* I am so sorry for your loss.

Specializes in Home Health, Case Management, OR.

With tears in my eyes my heart breaks for you. No mother should ever have to feel the pain you are experiencing.

Specializes in Addiction, Psych, Geri, Hospice, MedSurg.

I am so sorry for your loss and your pain. I am sorry for having to udertake the task of telling your son... but I ask a few things:

Please don't take this as your fault. These things, unfortunately, happen. It was not the coffee...

Pour yourself into loving your son you have...

I don't know if it gets easier. I don't know if it gets better. I do know that I am thinking of you and sending you a lot of thoughts. Please be easy on yourself... and know you have many thoughts coming to you and your family...

Again, I am so very sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry for your loss. I lost one of my twins four years ago. There are still days when I can't hold back the tears but I decided that I could either let my daughter's passing break me or make me stronger. I have chosen to believe that good can come from tragedy and that this is not the end. I will pray for you and your family.

Faith's mommy,

Southern Magnolia

Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Alibaba, I am so sorry for your loss. This is the worst kind of pain. It hurts like hell, no other way to describe it. (((((Alibaba)))))

I lost a baby last year and still miss her, though the loss was earlier gestation. Take your time and grieve your sweet baby. When you are ready, you might make a stepping stone or set of windchimes to put in your yard so every time you see/hear it you will remember that no matter what he is never far away from you. My 'angel baby' stepping stone is really helpful. If you don't want to go that route, I'll post a link to a website that I found, some very nice pendants/sculptures etc. to commemorate babies gone too soon.

You might go on to have other children - only if you want to, and only when you're ready - but your Ezekiel will never be replaced.

October 15th is worldwide Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. On that day, I will remember my lost baby, and yours too. :redbeathe

Hugs to you from Katherine's mama

http://www.rememberingourbabies.net/store/WsDefault.asp?One=378

ETA - we don't do the Parlodel shot anymore to dry up milk. Miranda was right about the cabbage leaves, though. Stick 'em in your bra, leave 'em there 'til they wilt, then replace for as long as you need to. I promise it works. More hugs.

Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

I'm crying as I read this. I'm so sorry.

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Specializes in Family Practice, Urgent Care, Cardiac Ca.

May you and your family be at peace. May you find the tenderness of grief growing your love for one another. May your community support you and hold you through this terrible time. Know that another candle has been lit for Ezekiel. :redbeathe

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