On 8/17/25, our beautiful baby boy passed away in my belly. He only ever knew love, warmth, and safety. Anthony passed away with the people who loved him most, as Tony was by my side all morning. He died sometime that early afternoon/late morning when I noticed reduced movement and then nothing. I quickly raced to the hospital despite having been twice the week before with serious concerns, asking the doctors to please take him now. We were 36+4. Anthony is considered a stillborn, and my doctor and I both agreed to follow the plan of delivery we established in the beginning of my care, which was to have a c-section.

Anthony was born at 7 lbs 4 oz, 21 inches long, and he was beautiful. This was the hardest day for not only myself and my husband but for our entire families. I (We) have never experienced grief like this in our entire lives. I didn’t know that the physical pain of a section would feel like nothing compared to the pain in my heart. Anthony was already so loved by so many, and so wanted. I did everything I could to keep him safe and prevent this tragedy from occurring. The sound I made and my husband’s “No” the minute they said no heartbeat on the ultrasound was unlike something I’ve ever heard. I didn’t even know I could make that kind of cry. It’s the kind that any mother of any kind just knows without ever hearing it before. I am beyond thankful our families rushed to the hospital to be with us before the section and show support. This not only had a profound impact on myself, my husband, and our daughter but on our immediate and extended families as well. We are beyond grateful for the support we received from our families and the staff at the hospital.

I am heartbroken and experiencing a level of grief I did not even know was possible. I also now have a deeper understanding of just how much of a miracle our daughter Stella is. My heart hurts knowing that not only myself, my husband, and our families need to mourn the loss of Anthony but so does our almost 3-year-old baby girl. Anthony completed our family, Stella was/is the best big sister, and I will forever be a mother of two beautiful children. My husband will forever be a father of two; the only difference is that one of our children is in heaven. There is nothing we would not give to be able to have Anthony here with us.

Nicole and Anthony are facing challenges no parent should ever need to face. Nicole had a very medically intense pregnancy, followed by a heart-shattering birth. Unfortunately, since the baby passed, she no longer qualifies for maternity leave but still has extensive physical and emotional healing to work through, plus unexpected funeral expenses. We created this out of the desire to help give her the space to heal without financial stress due to her job no longer recognizing the need.