After a successful IVF embryo implant, we found out we were pregnant with our daughter Paige on December 3, 2023. We could not have been more excited to have a daughter and for Miles to be a big brother to a little sister. It was a rough first trimester filled with morning sickness, but Paige was growing as expected and getting stronger by the day. At the 20-week anatomy scan we saw the cutest little girl dancing around in her mom’s belly. The ultrasound specialist said it was one of the most active babies she had ever seen. At 22 weeks pregnant, we had a maternity photo shoot as a family of four. Miles got to run around in a field while Paige continued to be our lively baby having as much fun as we were. Little did we know that our world of hope and optimism for the future was about to come crumbling down.
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On April 19th, 2024, at 23 weeks pregnant, we felt a little uneasy as Jill hadn’t felt Paige as much throughout the day. We tried to be optimistic by saying that we were still early in the pregnancy. On the morning of April 20th, after still not feeling her throughout the night, we went to the ER. That’s when we heard the doctors say every parent’s worst fear: “I’m sorry, but we aren't able to find a heartbeat.” The next morning, on April 21, 2024, our daughter Paige Kennedy was born into heaven. The doctors performed various tests and bloodwork but unfortunately, like so many other parents of loss, everything came back normal and we will never have a reason why it happened.
In our darkest moments, close family and friends stepped up to help us pick up the pieces. We also were lucky enough to have two organizations help us on our grief journey. The first was Three Little Birds. Started by two other moms of loss, they are a volunteer-run organization that provides advocacy, support, and validation for parents experiencing a miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal loss in the Philadelphia and South Jersey region. They immediately stepped up and came to meet us in the hospital room. They provided us with loss resources, remembrance portraits, and validation that we were not alone in our grief. Later we were told about UNITE grief support. They provide peer-to-peer support for parents and family members of pregnancy and infant loss. They offer both in person and virtual support groups, as well as host a Dad’s Support Group and support through subsequent pregnancies.
It hurts every day that we will never get to see Paige grow up. She has brought us into a community filled with other strong and resilient parents. Our goal now is to be able to give back to the organizations who were there for us in our darkest hours and to help other families who are navigating their own loss. That is why we will be hosting a memorial walk in Paige's honor and to help raise funds for these amazing organizations as they continue to support other families experiencing a loss.
Please include shirt size(s) within the Venmo description with payment by Saturday, March 15th
All proceeds will be donated directly to Three Little Birds and Unite, Inc.
Please send any questions to milesforpaige@gmail.com
Thank you for your support!