Cradled by Love, Hope and Healing
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“I’m sorry, but your baby is incompatible with life”.
My name is Dena, and these few words changed my life forever. This is a phrase that no expectant parent wants to hear, and my husband and I sat in utter disbelief as the devastating news washed over us.
I was 20 weeks pregnant with our second child, and the routine ultrasound showed a major irregularity. Two days later, we were repeating the ultrasound with a maternal fetal specialist. He diagnosed our daughter with Trisomy 18 (which was confirmed with an amniocentesis), and because of the severity of her deformities we were told that she would not live much longer. I carried my precious daughter for five more weeks before her body was delivered into the world; her spirit having left days before. Those five weeks were pure agony for my husband and myself, and my weekly visits to see my OB were incredibly emotional. As he searched for her heartbeat on the Doppler, I would silently pray that he wouldn’t find one and that her suffering would be over, and yet I was incredibly afraid for her to be no longer with us.
And through all of this, I was cared for and comforted by some very special women. One of my good friends was a board member of Cradled, a local organization dedicated to helping families just like us. After our devastating news, they informed us of the type of decisions that needed to be made, and we were gifted with time, which allowed us to search our hearts and make calm, rational decisions. We opted to hold her after she was delivered, have photos taken, and have her remains cremated. These precious women bravely stood next to my hospital bed as my baby was delivered. They bathed her and dressed her. They held her, and kissed her face. They never left my side. I am forever grateful for their love and care in one of the most difficult times of my life.
We were fortunate. Many families who get this same news are alone and uninformed. They have only moments to make decisions in a highly emotional and confusing mental state and some later regret them. They leave the hospital with empty arms and little to no support. This can change.
“Cradled is a life changing organization for families that have experienced the loss of a baby and/or is struggling with infertility. We provide hands on, face-to-face support before, during, and after families experience this kind of traumatic loss. We truly cradle our families that have been through hopelessness until they find their way to healing. Thank you for your support. Through your financial gifts, these families are receiving help so that their sorrow does not have to be silent or alone.”
Rachel Craig- Founder and Executive Director of Cradled by Love, Hope, and Healing
Cradled has a mission: No family should walk this road alone unless it’s by choice. The mission of Cradled by Love, Hope and Healing is to support families that have experienced the loss of a baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth, early infant loss, or infertility. We want to help provide information to families early on so they can feel informed and empowered to make the best decisions that they can in this most difficult time. Part of our goal in supporting families is to provide information by disseminating helpful brochures and pamphlets, such as "Miscarriage", "Stillbirth", "A Father's Grief" to various agencies, organizations, and individuals such as obstetricians and family practice offices, hospitals, and churches. Cradled also wants to always have adequate funding to offer support groups as often as they are needed. Below are listed some of the specific financial needs that we have that are associated with some of the services that we provide.
Informative pamphlets and brochures (for 150 pamphlets/brochures) –
Miscarriage - $250
Stillbirth - $250
Newborn Death - $250
Father's Grief - $250
Pregnancy following loss - $250
Grandparent's grief - $250
Planning goodbyes - $150
Family and friends - $150
Support groups (six week session, based on a group of 10) - Misc. Supplies - $200
Reflection journals - $50
Parent booklets - $65
Childcare - $300
Scholarships for a family to participate in our Infant Loss Remembrance Day therapeutic art event –
$35 per person/family
“When I lost twins years ago there were few resources available in our area for bereaved parents. I was so relieved to find out about Cradled several years later when I experienced another loss. Cradled provided tremendous comfort and support, and it was so helpful to talk with others who endured similar experiences.”
Tiffany, mother of Kaylee, Cooper, and four precious children in Heaven
“I had never felt so lost in my life after losing my daughter. Cradled helped me find my way back to being me.”
Cheyenne, mother of Kinzley
“I don’t know where I would be without the support of Cradled. They have always been there to listen to me and help guide me when I feel lost. Most of all they constantly remind me that I am not alone in this journey.”
Kara, mother of Kaydence and Jackson
Thank you so much for your support! Please share my story with others.
My name is Dena, and these few words changed my life forever. This is a phrase that no expectant parent wants to hear, and my husband and I sat in utter disbelief as the devastating news washed over us.
I was 20 weeks pregnant with our second child, and the routine ultrasound showed a major irregularity. Two days later, we were repeating the ultrasound with a maternal fetal specialist. He diagnosed our daughter with Trisomy 18 (which was confirmed with an amniocentesis), and because of the severity of her deformities we were told that she would not live much longer. I carried my precious daughter for five more weeks before her body was delivered into the world; her spirit having left days before. Those five weeks were pure agony for my husband and myself, and my weekly visits to see my OB were incredibly emotional. As he searched for her heartbeat on the Doppler, I would silently pray that he wouldn’t find one and that her suffering would be over, and yet I was incredibly afraid for her to be no longer with us.
And through all of this, I was cared for and comforted by some very special women. One of my good friends was a board member of Cradled, a local organization dedicated to helping families just like us. After our devastating news, they informed us of the type of decisions that needed to be made, and we were gifted with time, which allowed us to search our hearts and make calm, rational decisions. We opted to hold her after she was delivered, have photos taken, and have her remains cremated. These precious women bravely stood next to my hospital bed as my baby was delivered. They bathed her and dressed her. They held her, and kissed her face. They never left my side. I am forever grateful for their love and care in one of the most difficult times of my life.
We were fortunate. Many families who get this same news are alone and uninformed. They have only moments to make decisions in a highly emotional and confusing mental state and some later regret them. They leave the hospital with empty arms and little to no support. This can change.
“Cradled is a life changing organization for families that have experienced the loss of a baby and/or is struggling with infertility. We provide hands on, face-to-face support before, during, and after families experience this kind of traumatic loss. We truly cradle our families that have been through hopelessness until they find their way to healing. Thank you for your support. Through your financial gifts, these families are receiving help so that their sorrow does not have to be silent or alone.”
Rachel Craig- Founder and Executive Director of Cradled by Love, Hope, and Healing
Cradled has a mission: No family should walk this road alone unless it’s by choice. The mission of Cradled by Love, Hope and Healing is to support families that have experienced the loss of a baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth, early infant loss, or infertility. We want to help provide information to families early on so they can feel informed and empowered to make the best decisions that they can in this most difficult time. Part of our goal in supporting families is to provide information by disseminating helpful brochures and pamphlets, such as "Miscarriage", "Stillbirth", "A Father's Grief" to various agencies, organizations, and individuals such as obstetricians and family practice offices, hospitals, and churches. Cradled also wants to always have adequate funding to offer support groups as often as they are needed. Below are listed some of the specific financial needs that we have that are associated with some of the services that we provide.
Informative pamphlets and brochures (for 150 pamphlets/brochures) –
Miscarriage - $250
Stillbirth - $250
Newborn Death - $250
Father's Grief - $250
Pregnancy following loss - $250
Grandparent's grief - $250
Planning goodbyes - $150
Family and friends - $150
Support groups (six week session, based on a group of 10) - Misc. Supplies - $200
Reflection journals - $50
Parent booklets - $65
Childcare - $300
Scholarships for a family to participate in our Infant Loss Remembrance Day therapeutic art event –
$35 per person/family
“When I lost twins years ago there were few resources available in our area for bereaved parents. I was so relieved to find out about Cradled several years later when I experienced another loss. Cradled provided tremendous comfort and support, and it was so helpful to talk with others who endured similar experiences.”
Tiffany, mother of Kaylee, Cooper, and four precious children in Heaven
“I had never felt so lost in my life after losing my daughter. Cradled helped me find my way back to being me.”
Cheyenne, mother of Kinzley
“I don’t know where I would be without the support of Cradled. They have always been there to listen to me and help guide me when I feel lost. Most of all they constantly remind me that I am not alone in this journey.”
Kara, mother of Kaydence and Jackson
Thank you so much for your support! Please share my story with others.
Organizer and beneficiary
Dena Quigley
Organizer
Waco, TX
Christi Ticknor
Beneficiary
