In honor of Michael John Spitzbarth

On August 27, 2012 Our lives changed forever. I was 35 weeks pregnant and at my weekly doctors appointment. The nurse who had seen me every week for the last 30 weeks came into the room as she did every week with a smile and a funny story from her weekend. She had my phone as I always liked to take a photo of the sonogram with my phone to send to my husband if he was unable to make the appointment due to work or a sleeping baby. Today was different. Today her smile turned serious as she said ok sit back the doctor will be right in. In that moment my heart sunk and I had this feeling something was not right. My dr came in, put the machine on my belly and then delivered the worst news any parent can here, there is no heartbeat, your child is gone. In that single instance the life of my family changed as did I as a person. My life would never ever be the same.  The next few hours, days, weeks were a blur. 

Every year ear my husband Bryan, daughter Haleigh and sons Brayden and Sean do something to honor the memory of Michael John. This is is third anniversary. This year I wanted to do something for other families that go through this.  My friend and bereavement doula Kathleen is working on a bereavement program at ththe hospital where I gave birth to all my children. This year I am raising funds to have a cuddle cot donated to the hospital in Michael John's name so that families have options when face with this tragedy.

The CuddleCot is internationally recognised across the world as helping parents who suffer the loss of a baby. Dealing with the death of a baby is clearly an incredibly difficult event for parents and an increasing number of US/Canadian hospitals are looking at how they can improve their bereavement services to parents. A major way that hospital’s and hospices can improve their services is to provide bereaved parents with the option of spending time with their baby. Providing families time is internationally encouraged by midwives, bereavement practitioners, still birth/neonatal charities, academics and is also recognised in International Position statements/guidance. This “time” allows the family to form an important bond with their baby; whether changing a diaper, dressing the baby or simply just to stay close as this can help families in dealing with their loss. The problem is that in a warm room the baby’s condition can deteriorate quickly which parents often find distressing. Therefore cooling the baby is absolutely essential; however parents do not want the trauma of being separated from their baby whilst they are placed into a morgue refrigerator to cool.

After careful consideration Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island has approved and is excited to accept a donation of the cuddle cot in Michael John's name. 

Stillbirth is when a baby dies in the womb after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Most stillbirths happen before a woman goes into labor, but a small number happen during labor and birth. Stillbirth affects about 23,600 babies each year in the United States. This means stillbirth affects about 1 in 160 pregnancies (less than 1 percent).

We we are hoping you can help us raise the funds and bring awareness to the still born community.

With love, 
The Spitzbarth's