This series of personal stories from parents who have suffered pregnancy or baby loss opens up a space for talking about loss and grief publicly.
In sharing their stories about pregnancy, infertility and the death of their babies, the parents whose personal accounts you can read on The Possum Blog are beginning to exorcise the demon of social taboo afflicting many conversations on perinatal loss.
Parents share their journeys and their advice, if any, on living with loss. They share how they have changed, who they have become, and what truly matters now.
Angel baby girl Isabella
Our beautiful little angel Isabella was born on the 2nd of October 2021 at 1:42pm at Monash Hospital. She was 23 weeks old on the dot. She was a fighter, from the minute she came into this world punching and kicking to let everyone know she was here.
Isabella had her first hurdle to overcome immediately after she was born. Just 5 days into her life she had to have a major operation. Isabella had a perforated bowel and this was risky operation for her due to her size and weight.
Isabella had her first hurdle to overcome immediately after she was born. Just 5 days into her life she had to have a major operation.
My partner and I were both extremely nervous of the outcome. But the doctors and medical team at Monash NICU gave us hope that the operation would be a success. And it was a success. From that day forward we both knew that our little girl was a fighter and determined to be with us.
Her journey in the NICU had its challenges. There were days of happiness and there were days of unsettled worrying. Yet towards the end of her stay we both felt she will be able to come home with us.
There were days of happiness and there were days of unsettled worrying.
We watched her grow from 425g to 4.2kg in just over 6 months. We watched her track hold and feed. Unfortunately due to her size at birth, Isabella had lung issues. These required her to have a track. This was not performed at Monash Children's Hospital, and Isabella had to be transferred to another hospital for this procedure.
We both felt uncomfortable and uneasy with our daughter being transferred. We both couldn't understand how, in today's world, a hospital wasn't equipped to perform this procedure.
We both felt uncomfortable and uneasy with our daughter being transferred. On April 25th, Isabella left NICU for the first time. All the nurses and doctors said "See you soon!"
On April 25th, Isabella left NICU for the first time. All the nurses and doctors said "See you soon!" and we made a promise that we would see them every year to thank them for all their hard work to keep Isabella with us.
On April 27th Isabella had her trackie surgery. This was the last time we read to, sang or held her hand.
On April 27th Isabella had her trackie surgery. This was the last time we read to, sang or held her hand.
We were never told throughout the night that she was unstable. The next morning we were given news that no parent should ever hear. Isabella was not going to come home.
Isabella had grown her wings on April 28th. She is in heaven with her older sister Azzura, who was born sleeping at 22 +4 weeks. Mum and Dad miss both of our girls every day.
She is in heaven with her older sister Azzura, who was born sleeping at 22 +4 weeks. Mum and Dad miss both of our girls every day.
We would like to express our gratitude to all the doctors and nurses who showed their dedication to our Isabella. We will never forget all your efforts in looking out for our family as a whole.
We also want to thank Possum Portraits for the beautiful drawing of our little girl. It brought a tear to my eyes seeing Isabella without any tape or tubes on her face.
We also want to thank Possum Portraits for the beautiful drawing of our little girl. It brought a tear to my eyes seeing Isabella without any tape or tubes on her face. You captured the moment perfectly.
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