CuddleCots in memory of Baby Dakota
Donation protected
I had always dreamed of having a big family. We had been blessed with one beautiful daughter, and in March 2014 I found out we were expecting our second child, who would be due mid December. I was over the moon excited, and in all honesty partly scared, but was ready to welcome a new bundle of joy to our blossoming family. My first pregnancy was amazing, I had never felt better. The same went for my second. I went to all my appointments, all in good health, I never got any morning sickness, and never had any complications.
I remember getting through the first 3 months and breathing a sigh of relief thinking, ok we’re through the danger period; now it’s time to let the fun planning begin. Deciding how to decorate the nursery, shopping for fun new things, and what to name her.
I went on early leave from work due to my job being physical in nature, and I was starting to slow down. So at 32 weeks I finished my day at work, went home, started nesting and waited anxiously for our new baby girl to arrive. All my doctors check ups were good, baby was growing the way she was supposed to, and her heart rate was great.
As the weeks progressed, my appointments got closer together. Instead of monthly I was going every other week, then eventually it turned into weekly visits. Everything was going great. But, at 38 weeks and 1 day I noticed baby had slowed down in movement a little. I didn't over panic as my first daughter was a lazy baby, and spent most her time sleeping, this was also the case for the second. The next morning, I didn’t feel baby move at all. I ate some sugary foods, and waited anxiously to feel a kick, but I didn’t feel anything. I started to panic and went to the hospital right away. Within minutes I was in a room and was attached to fetal monitors to try and find baby’s heart beat. We couldn't hear anything. Minutes later the doctor came in and did an ultra sound, she stood up and turned the screen around and I couldn’t see anything. It was then where I knew something was up. The doctor stood up turned the screen around and showed me the screen and said “This is babys feet, this is her spine, this is her head, and this is where her heart should be beating. I’m so sorry but I don’t see a heart beat, it appears your baby has passed away” Upon shock and complete disbelief, my absolute worst nightmare came true. I remember that moment lasting forever! It's like time stood still, in shock I came to and said “Now what???” I could have been induced into labour that day, but decided to go home and go back the next morning to induce labour.
There was no excitement like there was the first time around going to the hospital knowing we had to say hello and goodbye, I didn't know what to expect and I was petrified. The nursing staff and doctors were incredibly supportive, and made us aware of exactly what was going to happen, and the decisions we would make when our angel was born. On December 3, 2014 I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl born still. She was 7lbs and 21 inches long. We named her Dakota Elizabeth Carter. Before she was born we weren’t sure we wanted to hold her. My husband and I were both scared, but as scary as it was, we had spent the last 9.5 months together, and we knew we would regret not seeing who she was. That short time we spent together truly changed my life forever. When we left the hospital we got a memory box that had her hand and foot prints. We have some pictures and a few other items that we will treasure forever. But what we will treasure most is the very short time we had with her.
Never in a million years do you think this could happen to you. But sadly it happens more then we think. As many as 1 in 5 pregnancies end in miscarriage and roughly out of 106 births, there is 1 baby born still.
I would like to raise enough funds for a piece of medical equipment for The London Health Sciences Centre....the piece of equipment is called a cuddle cot. The cuddle cot system….. “cools the baby in situ allowing the baby to remain with the family thereby providing the family time they want. The Cuddle cot is a cooling pad that is placed in any moses basket, crib, pram or bed; it is connected by a specially insulated hose and is cooled by using the cuddle cot system.
This cold cot helps to preserve baby's body longer, thus giving the grieving family more time with there precious baby(s)
Any contribution is greatly appreciated.
"some babies are to beautiful for earth"
I remember getting through the first 3 months and breathing a sigh of relief thinking, ok we’re through the danger period; now it’s time to let the fun planning begin. Deciding how to decorate the nursery, shopping for fun new things, and what to name her.
I went on early leave from work due to my job being physical in nature, and I was starting to slow down. So at 32 weeks I finished my day at work, went home, started nesting and waited anxiously for our new baby girl to arrive. All my doctors check ups were good, baby was growing the way she was supposed to, and her heart rate was great.
As the weeks progressed, my appointments got closer together. Instead of monthly I was going every other week, then eventually it turned into weekly visits. Everything was going great. But, at 38 weeks and 1 day I noticed baby had slowed down in movement a little. I didn't over panic as my first daughter was a lazy baby, and spent most her time sleeping, this was also the case for the second. The next morning, I didn’t feel baby move at all. I ate some sugary foods, and waited anxiously to feel a kick, but I didn’t feel anything. I started to panic and went to the hospital right away. Within minutes I was in a room and was attached to fetal monitors to try and find baby’s heart beat. We couldn't hear anything. Minutes later the doctor came in and did an ultra sound, she stood up and turned the screen around and I couldn’t see anything. It was then where I knew something was up. The doctor stood up turned the screen around and showed me the screen and said “This is babys feet, this is her spine, this is her head, and this is where her heart should be beating. I’m so sorry but I don’t see a heart beat, it appears your baby has passed away” Upon shock and complete disbelief, my absolute worst nightmare came true. I remember that moment lasting forever! It's like time stood still, in shock I came to and said “Now what???” I could have been induced into labour that day, but decided to go home and go back the next morning to induce labour.
There was no excitement like there was the first time around going to the hospital knowing we had to say hello and goodbye, I didn't know what to expect and I was petrified. The nursing staff and doctors were incredibly supportive, and made us aware of exactly what was going to happen, and the decisions we would make when our angel was born. On December 3, 2014 I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl born still. She was 7lbs and 21 inches long. We named her Dakota Elizabeth Carter. Before she was born we weren’t sure we wanted to hold her. My husband and I were both scared, but as scary as it was, we had spent the last 9.5 months together, and we knew we would regret not seeing who she was. That short time we spent together truly changed my life forever. When we left the hospital we got a memory box that had her hand and foot prints. We have some pictures and a few other items that we will treasure forever. But what we will treasure most is the very short time we had with her.
Never in a million years do you think this could happen to you. But sadly it happens more then we think. As many as 1 in 5 pregnancies end in miscarriage and roughly out of 106 births, there is 1 baby born still.
I would like to raise enough funds for a piece of medical equipment for The London Health Sciences Centre....the piece of equipment is called a cuddle cot. The cuddle cot system….. “cools the baby in situ allowing the baby to remain with the family thereby providing the family time they want. The Cuddle cot is a cooling pad that is placed in any moses basket, crib, pram or bed; it is connected by a specially insulated hose and is cooled by using the cuddle cot system.
This cold cot helps to preserve baby's body longer, thus giving the grieving family more time with there precious baby(s)
Any contribution is greatly appreciated.
"some babies are to beautiful for earth"
Organizer
Heather Stuart
Organizer
London, ON
