Monday, February 22, 2010

Sad News

I don't even know how to begin this post. I guess I just have to plunge right in.


I went to my doctor's appointment last Thursday for a routine check up. I was 11 weeks--almost done with my first trimester.

I was to hear the heartbeat for the first time.
But my doctor couldn't get a heartbeat. "Maybe it's because your uterus is tipped."
But I knew.
She did the ultrasound and it was with a sinking heart that I looked on that screen and saw nothing. No tiny baby dancing and jumping like I have seen every other time.
The screen was lifeless.
And my heart started to break.

Because this baby may have been tiny, but it was already a part of our family, and I loved it.

She said it stopped developing. Probably a chromosomal problem. It couldn't grow. It couldn't live. A few weeks ago my blood work indicated no problems, so she couldn't say when it had happened, only that she was sorry that it had.
So we talked about what would happen next and what I should do and I had to try to keep it together and grasp this terrible thing.

And when I stepped into the elevator and I was alone, I wanted to kick the walls and cry and curse and just be so mad and so, so sad.

It has been 3 days.
I am still so sad.

Understandably there are a lot of emotions that surface at the slightest provocation.
Today William asked me, "is there a new baby in your tummy yet?"
He has asked me that every day since I had to tell him, that first day, that our baby died.
He hugged me tight. And I know that he misses our tiny baby too, because he said, "I wish that our first baby could just come back into your tummy and I could talk to it some more."
How can I not cry?

I try not to think about it. I try to be busy. I try to be distracted.
I feel like it is unjust for me to feel such sorrow when there are others who have lost so much more than me. I know this loss is small. How can I make so much of it?

That first night I went to bed utterly exhausted and emotionally drained. I really couldn't feel any more. And I thought, "I can do this. It is hard, but I am fine."
In the morning, I remembered and it was like a punch to the gut. It was still fresh. And it still hurt.

Perhaps the hardest thing to get used to is that this baby is no longer a part of our lives. We talked about it every day. We talked to it, how old they'd be when the baby came, where the baby would sleep, how they'd be my helpers, and so much more.
And just like that, it is all over.

There are selfish thoughts, " I was almost done with my first trimester, finally feeling better, and now I have to do that all over again." "Now I'm not pregnant, just fat."
And I feel terrible for thinking them.
I feel more vulnerable: wanting another baby and yet feeling scared of the outcome. I realize more fully that life is fragile.

On my way home from the doctor's so many thoughts raced through my head.
Why did we tell people so early this time? We always wait for the first heartbeat. Now we're only bringing sadness into their lives.
What will people think? I feel like a failure.
I felt the same way when William was breech and though the doctor tried her best, he just would not turn. I felt like I had failed. My body wasn't strong enough for the job somehow.

There is a lot of pressure surrounding this business of babies. The getting pregnant, the staying pregnant, the natural delivery, the unwanted c-section, the nursing, the post-partum emotions and the way we expect everyone can and should be able to manage all those things just fine. This has made me realize afresh, and in new and painful ways, that this business of babies is not to be taken for granted. Though it happens to millions of people everyday, it is not a given.

I hope you don't mind me sharing this with you here, my heart raw before you. Writing helps me process this pain and these emotions. It helps me sort through the hurt that I find so hard to talk about. It has always been easier for me to express myself with the written word.
And to be honest, I dread saying it over and over again. Oh yes, it will get easier, but right now, I just don't want to. So I say it here to get it done.

This may be the only time I post about this for a while. I might need a break to focus on happier things. (Because posting this and this made me smile. And that's ok)
Or not. I just don't know.

What I do know is that it's ok to say something about it to me. Just know that I might cry.
I know I need your prayers because in the days or weeks ahead, I still have to miscarry this baby and I dread the day. Then it will be done, and I will mourn again.
I know that God is the author of life, not of death, so this is not "His will."
I know I still feel just as pregnant as I ever have, and it doesn't feel fair.
I know that I am not alone, but this loss feels very lonely.
I know this:

John 16:33
"In this world you will have troubles. But take heart! I have overcome the world."


In this blog, a memoir of my family, I want to remember this baby, to honor it somehow. So I write this. Even though it is sad and painful. We had a baby for a little while and now it is gone. Thank you for sharing that journey with me, and I ask for your support while I go forth on this new one.
Greta


18 comments:

Naomi said...

Oh Greta, I'm so, so, sorry. There's nothing I can say... Thank you for sharing your baby with us as you did. God is good. He is always good. We love you.

Unknown said...

Oh Greta, I am so sorry. Just a few days ago I was telling Ginger how hard I thought losing a baby like that must be, and that I couldn't truly understand since it had never happened to me. But your hopes and dreams for your baby and her place in your family are already born. I really don't know what more to say. We love you Greta, and Aaron, and James, and William, and Lilly, and you will be in our prayers. Love, Julie

simply brookes: said...

Greta,
My heart goes out to you and your family. God has an almighty plan for all of us. Hard to remember that at times like this.

I, too, have a similar story to yours. We told everyone we could think of...distant cousins, even. It was our first pregnancy. Only to have to makes those calls again. It was terribly painful for our family but I look at my beautiful three daughters that God gave me and I know it is all part of his plan.

Know that you are not alone. The prayers are on their way.

Sink into your family.
Wendy

Jennifer said...

wrapping you in big hugs and prayer. so, so sorry. thank you for sharing your heart. may it continue to receive healing and hope. xoxo

Sheila said...

Greta, big hugs to you right now. I understand your feeling of loss. I am praying for God's comfort for you during this time.

Erin McDonald said...

Right there with ya! Call me! Love you! erin:)
PS dreading the same thing! God's love , grace, and comfort is suffitiant!

Tammy Callis said...

Oh Greta, I'm crying as I read this. I think you know I experienced this too before Grace was born. It's just the strangest feeling of loss and sadness. I am praying for you and your family. Please let me know if you need anything.

Lisa said...

hi greta,
I go to Emmanuel Baptist (Daniel's mom from VBS---aka P'nut)Not sure if you remember us.
My heart and prayers are with you.

Summers Family said...

Greta - I was so sad to read your post this morning. I wish I had words to take your pain away. Thank you for sharing with us the joy of your new baby and now the sorrow of this loss. We are praying your pain will lessen in time. Hope to see you and the family soon.

Sending hugs

cassie said...

Many blessingd Angel Mama!!

OuiOuiOui said...

Oh Greta, i am so sorry. you are right, this business of babies is so precious. Thank you for letting us walk this with you.
Danielle

Annie said...

I am so sorry. I had tears streaming down my face while I read this. I am so sad with you and I am praying for you and the rest of your family. Love you all.

Shannon said...

So sorry to hear this news, Greta. You & your family are in my prayers.

hannah queen | honey & jam said...

Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Kyrie said...

Our thoughts are prayers are with you, dear one! xo

Lighting a candle for your little one.

pupandpony said...

I don't even know what to write, but my love and thoughts and support are with you both.

XOXO
~Wendy

Lori said...

I'm so sorry. I hope that verse has helped you through these tough months - it always brings me comfort, too. Blessings!

Jennifer said...

So sorry. We lost our little Jordan at 10.5 weeks about 6 years ago. I remember every day; he is a part of me, like every breath.