This a place to meet Moms and Dads who are here to help others after miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss.
Meet Katie Rohrhoff
Nurse, wife and Mom of a loss in multiple birth (twins) and 1 rainbow baby
Co-founder of The Riley Katheryn Foundation
I was thrilled to find out I was pregnant with identical twins in May of 2009. The babies had several difficulties along the way, including umbilical cord abnormalities and growth restriction. I was placed on bed rest at 25 weeks. An emergency c-section was performed at 30 weeks due to fetal distress of twin A. Riley Katheryn was stillborn on Nov. 3, 2009 at 3:43pm, survived by her identical twin sister Payton Grace at 3:44pm. Riley, surrounded by loved ones, was laid to rest Nov. 9, 2009. Nine months later, I was pregnant and delivered a healthy baby girl, Morgan Rose, on May 21, 2011. In 2015, my husband and I started The Riley Katheryn Foundation, in memory of our daughter, to help others through the unimaginable. Being able to financially and emotionally support others through their loss has significantly helped me and my grief.
Nurse, wife and Mom of a loss in multiple birth (twins) and 1 rainbow baby
Co-founder of The Riley Katheryn Foundation
I was thrilled to find out I was pregnant with identical twins in May of 2009. The babies had several difficulties along the way, including umbilical cord abnormalities and growth restriction. I was placed on bed rest at 25 weeks. An emergency c-section was performed at 30 weeks due to fetal distress of twin A. Riley Katheryn was stillborn on Nov. 3, 2009 at 3:43pm, survived by her identical twin sister Payton Grace at 3:44pm. Riley, surrounded by loved ones, was laid to rest Nov. 9, 2009. Nine months later, I was pregnant and delivered a healthy baby girl, Morgan Rose, on May 21, 2011. In 2015, my husband and I started The Riley Katheryn Foundation, in memory of our daughter, to help others through the unimaginable. Being able to financially and emotionally support others through their loss has significantly helped me and my grief.
Meet Dana Abrams
Nurse, wife and Mother of a 30 week stillborn and 2 rainbow babies
I was 30 weeks pregnant with our 1st child. A happy, healthy, exciting pregnancy. We had a busy day; laid in bed and played music for our baby, watched my big belly 'dancing" with life, lunch, bought our first family car, grocery shopping. As I readied for work the next day my husband left for his hockey game. I couldn't be sure when I had last felt our baby move. I laid in bed and waited. 20 minutes. Quiet, still. I drove to the hospital, only to learn our child's heart had stopped beating. I was induced and 14 hours later, with my husband by my side, I delivered our son, Liam David, silently into the world. After genetic screening confirmed to be a nonissue, I was pregnant 8 weeks later. After 36 long, anxious weeks, I was c-sectioned with our 2nd son, Jack Lawrence. Two years later, I had a c-section for my 'best birthday present ever' our daughter, Olivia Grace. I am currently a board member for The Riley Katheryn Foundation and am here to help.
Nurse, wife and Mother of a 30 week stillborn and 2 rainbow babies
I was 30 weeks pregnant with our 1st child. A happy, healthy, exciting pregnancy. We had a busy day; laid in bed and played music for our baby, watched my big belly 'dancing" with life, lunch, bought our first family car, grocery shopping. As I readied for work the next day my husband left for his hockey game. I couldn't be sure when I had last felt our baby move. I laid in bed and waited. 20 minutes. Quiet, still. I drove to the hospital, only to learn our child's heart had stopped beating. I was induced and 14 hours later, with my husband by my side, I delivered our son, Liam David, silently into the world. After genetic screening confirmed to be a nonissue, I was pregnant 8 weeks later. After 36 long, anxious weeks, I was c-sectioned with our 2nd son, Jack Lawrence. Two years later, I had a c-section for my 'best birthday present ever' our daughter, Olivia Grace. I am currently a board member for The Riley Katheryn Foundation and am here to help.
Meet Jackie Viane
Wife and Mother of two
As a family we were elated to find out we were expecting. I would like to say the pregnancy was uneventful however, that was not the case. I was originally carrying twins and lost one early on. The other baby was healthy and the pregnancy continued on as it should until at 19 weeks, my water broke.
I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like my water broke. I immediately went to the ER and was told that it was not my water and not to worry. It happened again the next day, and I went back to the ER to assure them that I was leaking. Once, again I was told not to worry. I went to the Dr. and called the office every day for nearly 1 week, until finally, I had a Dr. who listened and did an ultrasound. Sure enough, my waters were gone. I was immediately sent to the specialist where I was given choices that no one should have to make during what was supposed to be a happy time. My husband and I decided to continue to give our baby the best chance we could at a healthy life.
I immediately went on bed rest. My waters never did go back up however, I was able to carry our baby Justin Jacob until he was 24 weeks and 2 days. I went into labor quickly. Our son was delivered via emergency C-section. During the C-section, Justin was cut when they were taking him out of my uterus. Despite that, he was doing well. Unfortunately for me, when they did the C-section, the Dr. cut through a fibroid that would not stop bleeding. In order to stop me from bleeding out, I had an unexpected hysterectomy.
Justin started to have health problems through the night. When the nurse came into the room to inform us, she asked where my husband was. I explained the situation, and she said call him to come back right away. It was at that time that I knew what was going on and had to face the reality that our son would not be coming home.
Once, my husband arrived we traveled to the special care nursery to hold our son for the first and last time. Just lived for nearly 24 hours and then passed to the other side. It was at that our true journey of grief began. There is not a day in this world that goes by where we do not think of him.
We are grateful that our friends Katie and John started this foundation to help others during this journey of grief.
Wife and Mother of two
As a family we were elated to find out we were expecting. I would like to say the pregnancy was uneventful however, that was not the case. I was originally carrying twins and lost one early on. The other baby was healthy and the pregnancy continued on as it should until at 19 weeks, my water broke.
I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like my water broke. I immediately went to the ER and was told that it was not my water and not to worry. It happened again the next day, and I went back to the ER to assure them that I was leaking. Once, again I was told not to worry. I went to the Dr. and called the office every day for nearly 1 week, until finally, I had a Dr. who listened and did an ultrasound. Sure enough, my waters were gone. I was immediately sent to the specialist where I was given choices that no one should have to make during what was supposed to be a happy time. My husband and I decided to continue to give our baby the best chance we could at a healthy life.
I immediately went on bed rest. My waters never did go back up however, I was able to carry our baby Justin Jacob until he was 24 weeks and 2 days. I went into labor quickly. Our son was delivered via emergency C-section. During the C-section, Justin was cut when they were taking him out of my uterus. Despite that, he was doing well. Unfortunately for me, when they did the C-section, the Dr. cut through a fibroid that would not stop bleeding. In order to stop me from bleeding out, I had an unexpected hysterectomy.
Justin started to have health problems through the night. When the nurse came into the room to inform us, she asked where my husband was. I explained the situation, and she said call him to come back right away. It was at that time that I knew what was going on and had to face the reality that our son would not be coming home.
Once, my husband arrived we traveled to the special care nursery to hold our son for the first and last time. Just lived for nearly 24 hours and then passed to the other side. It was at that our true journey of grief began. There is not a day in this world that goes by where we do not think of him.
We are grateful that our friends Katie and John started this foundation to help others during this journey of grief.
Meet Shannon Silva
Teacher/Director, Mother of a son who was stillborn at 40 weeks, 3 living daughters, including a rainbow baby born July of 2017
Our family was ecstatic when we found out we were expecting our first son, after having two healthy beautiful girls (4 & 6 years old). We had a very health and uneventful pregnancy. On August 20th, 2016 everything changed and our whole world came crashing down on us. I was 40 weeks, 1 day when I had every pregnant woman's worst nightmare... I couldn't remember the last time I had felt him move that day. He was always a very active little guy so this seemed bizarre to me. I tried everything to get him to move... juice, quiet room and jarring my belly. Nothing worked so we rushed up to the hospital to have them confirm at full term, ready to be induced that following Monday that our son no longer had a heartbeat. I was then counseled through having an induction and delivered our breathtaking son, Chase Anthony Silva on August 21st, 2016 at 3:33 am... every so silently he came into this world. Our lives were forever changed that day.
We had an autopsy done on Chase and it was confirmed that his cause of death was a blood clot in his umbilical cord. They believe this was caused by a birth defect they discovered he had called CDH (Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia). This was a lot for our family to take in with the main question after Chase's death being "WHY", but I believe it has allowed us to have some peace within these findings. Our son may have never got to breathe air here on earth, but I truly feel that he lives within my heart. We are now pregnant with our 1st rainbow baby (a little girl) and just pray every day that we get to bring her home. Through my short journey thus far I have met so many wonderful people along the way. Helping others that have gone through this unimaginable journey has helped me in my grief tremendously. I am happy to help and give support in any way that I can. One piece of advice that I needed to hear over and over right after our loss was that "I will survive" and I promise you... You will survive too.
"You are rooted deep within my soul, a part of me forever. In the deepest parts of my heart. There you are."
Teacher/Director, Mother of a son who was stillborn at 40 weeks, 3 living daughters, including a rainbow baby born July of 2017
Our family was ecstatic when we found out we were expecting our first son, after having two healthy beautiful girls (4 & 6 years old). We had a very health and uneventful pregnancy. On August 20th, 2016 everything changed and our whole world came crashing down on us. I was 40 weeks, 1 day when I had every pregnant woman's worst nightmare... I couldn't remember the last time I had felt him move that day. He was always a very active little guy so this seemed bizarre to me. I tried everything to get him to move... juice, quiet room and jarring my belly. Nothing worked so we rushed up to the hospital to have them confirm at full term, ready to be induced that following Monday that our son no longer had a heartbeat. I was then counseled through having an induction and delivered our breathtaking son, Chase Anthony Silva on August 21st, 2016 at 3:33 am... every so silently he came into this world. Our lives were forever changed that day.
We had an autopsy done on Chase and it was confirmed that his cause of death was a blood clot in his umbilical cord. They believe this was caused by a birth defect they discovered he had called CDH (Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia). This was a lot for our family to take in with the main question after Chase's death being "WHY", but I believe it has allowed us to have some peace within these findings. Our son may have never got to breathe air here on earth, but I truly feel that he lives within my heart. We are now pregnant with our 1st rainbow baby (a little girl) and just pray every day that we get to bring her home. Through my short journey thus far I have met so many wonderful people along the way. Helping others that have gone through this unimaginable journey has helped me in my grief tremendously. I am happy to help and give support in any way that I can. One piece of advice that I needed to hear over and over right after our loss was that "I will survive" and I promise you... You will survive too.
"You are rooted deep within my soul, a part of me forever. In the deepest parts of my heart. There you are."
Meet Sarah Miller, wife, Mom of three girls (two in her arms and one in her heart) and newborn foster parent
We were surprised to find out we were pregnant for a second time, and despite having a very active one year old, we were thrilled to add to our family. We went to our 18 week ultrasound excited to get to see pictures of our baby and brought our daughter Alexa and a friend with us. We quickly realized this was not the celebration we were expecting. As the events of the next few days unfolded we were faced with a reality we didn't even know to prepare for - our precious baby girl would not live. After many tears, many opinions and a lot of discussion we made the agonizing decision to continue our pregnancy - to continue to be the very best parents we possibly could be for as long as we could. The next four months were some of the hardest of our lives. While we should have been picking out cribs and a coming home outfit, we were choosing caskets and a burial outfit. We were finally able to hold our beautiful baby girl, Audrey Elizabeth, in our arms on May 11th, 2004, and she lived for an hour before she died peacefully in our arms. It gave us an enormous amount of comfort to know that in her short life all she ever knew was love. We loved her with a depth we didn't know was possible and in return she left us with many gifts. We will forever be grateful that we were trusted to be her parents, that we were able to bring her into the world even if only for a short while and that her little life and spirit left such a huge imprint on all who knew and loved her - an imprint we know continues to have an effect on the world. In 2006 we welcomed a rainbow baby, Elyse, into our arms and our family. I still miss Audrey every day but am forever grateful to be her mom. Being a loss mom is something I never imagined I would be, but I have also met some of the most amazing moms and dads on this journey - if I can ever be of any support on your journey, I hope you will reach out.
We were surprised to find out we were pregnant for a second time, and despite having a very active one year old, we were thrilled to add to our family. We went to our 18 week ultrasound excited to get to see pictures of our baby and brought our daughter Alexa and a friend with us. We quickly realized this was not the celebration we were expecting. As the events of the next few days unfolded we were faced with a reality we didn't even know to prepare for - our precious baby girl would not live. After many tears, many opinions and a lot of discussion we made the agonizing decision to continue our pregnancy - to continue to be the very best parents we possibly could be for as long as we could. The next four months were some of the hardest of our lives. While we should have been picking out cribs and a coming home outfit, we were choosing caskets and a burial outfit. We were finally able to hold our beautiful baby girl, Audrey Elizabeth, in our arms on May 11th, 2004, and she lived for an hour before she died peacefully in our arms. It gave us an enormous amount of comfort to know that in her short life all she ever knew was love. We loved her with a depth we didn't know was possible and in return she left us with many gifts. We will forever be grateful that we were trusted to be her parents, that we were able to bring her into the world even if only for a short while and that her little life and spirit left such a huge imprint on all who knew and loved her - an imprint we know continues to have an effect on the world. In 2006 we welcomed a rainbow baby, Elyse, into our arms and our family. I still miss Audrey every day but am forever grateful to be her mom. Being a loss mom is something I never imagined I would be, but I have also met some of the most amazing moms and dads on this journey - if I can ever be of any support on your journey, I hope you will reach out.
Meet Laura Doran
Teacher, Wife and Mom of a loss in a multiple birth (twins), miscarriage and 3 rainbow babies
In 2003 I went in at 39 weeks to be induced and deliver my twins. I was originally going to go to 40 weeks but since I was so big, the doctor figured it was time. My uneventful, boring pregnancy was nothing like my delivery. An ultrasound showed Baby A had no heartbeat but Baby B appeared fine. I had an emergency C-section which was terrifying but fast. My son Andrew Daniel was born pink and beautiful and weighed six pounds 11 ounces. He looked like he was sleeping, but he wasn't. A minute later, Jonasen Michael was born crying and healthy. Both my boys were wrapped in a lot of cord (longer than normal). Based on coloring, it was determined that Andrew died probably hours earlier. Had we gone the extra week as planned, Jonasen probably would not have made it. I went on to have 3 more living children. I use the word "living" because sadly, I suffered a miscarriage between my last two living children. I know the heartache and pain of both late and early loss. I keep a well-read blog on my experience and also help monitor a private Facebook page for those who have lost a child. I am very active in a support group at my hospital (HUGS) where I still attend monthly meetings, It was also through that group that I met Katie. I am so incredibly proud of Katie and John and all the good they are doing in Riley's name.
Teacher, Wife and Mom of a loss in a multiple birth (twins), miscarriage and 3 rainbow babies
In 2003 I went in at 39 weeks to be induced and deliver my twins. I was originally going to go to 40 weeks but since I was so big, the doctor figured it was time. My uneventful, boring pregnancy was nothing like my delivery. An ultrasound showed Baby A had no heartbeat but Baby B appeared fine. I had an emergency C-section which was terrifying but fast. My son Andrew Daniel was born pink and beautiful and weighed six pounds 11 ounces. He looked like he was sleeping, but he wasn't. A minute later, Jonasen Michael was born crying and healthy. Both my boys were wrapped in a lot of cord (longer than normal). Based on coloring, it was determined that Andrew died probably hours earlier. Had we gone the extra week as planned, Jonasen probably would not have made it. I went on to have 3 more living children. I use the word "living" because sadly, I suffered a miscarriage between my last two living children. I know the heartache and pain of both late and early loss. I keep a well-read blog on my experience and also help monitor a private Facebook page for those who have lost a child. I am very active in a support group at my hospital (HUGS) where I still attend monthly meetings, It was also through that group that I met Katie. I am so incredibly proud of Katie and John and all the good they are doing in Riley's name.
Meet Laurel Space
Executive Professional, Wife and Mother of two sons- one feisty 3 year old and one who died during childbirth, came back to life for two days and then went to sleep forever after succumbing to injuries sustained during a tragic birth accident
Our 2nd son, Merrick Carl Space, was born on Friday, November 25th, 2016 at 5:08pm, weighing 8 lb. 15 oz and measuring 21 and 1/4 inches and he was beautiful and perfect in every way.
During delivery there was an unforeseen complication that placed Merrick's umbilical card in a dangerous position as he traveled through the birth canal. In an attempt to move it out of the way, the cord snapped. The rush was then on to get him out as fast as possible and his shoulders became stuck in the birth canal. As a result, it caused him to lose vital amounts of blood and oxygen. By the time they got him out, he was not breathing and did not have a heartbeat. The hospital staff worked diligently for twenty long minutes to bring him back to us, but could not perform the miracle we so desperately hoped for. He was pronounced dead and was placed in our arms to grieve. The next hour and a half of our lives was spent holding our son, letting our family hold him and beginning the long process of repairing the damage to Mom that has been done to free Merrick from the birth canal.
Sixty or so minutes after his pronouncement, Merrick started to breathe and open his eyes. The nurses rushed to check Merrick for vitals and found his tiny heart beating strongly at a rate of 100 and he was struggling to breathe on his own. Our little angel had come back to us. Breathing support was given right away and the NICU arrived minutes later to whish him away for further treatment. We could hardly believe what was happening and the word miracle was repeated many times that night. Shortly afterward, Merrick was transferred to Children's Hospital for specialized NICU care.
As soon as he arrived in the NICU Friday night, they began cooling his body temperature to prevent any further injury to his brain and vital organs. He was stabilized and we were told the tests would begin in the morning. Our first meeting with the staff in the morning validated our fears of how sick he really was. Merrick had a significant chance of severe damage to most, if not all, of his vital organs, most importantly his brain. Only further testing would provide us with the evidence needed and so we waited.
Saturday was spent by Merrick's bedside, talking turns holding his sweet hands and kissing his chubby cheeks His body, although severely depressed, was still fighting to show signs of life. At the merest words from his mama, he would work so hard to open his eyes and usually succeeded in opening one if not both to look into her eyes and grip her finger in has hand. Those precious moment will be ones neither of us will forget for the rest of our lives. Our brave, strong son had come back from death to give us this gift of time with him.
On Sunday, we met with his team of doctors, including the Neurologist, who confirmed our worst fear., that Merrick's system was so severely damaged by the lack of oxygen that his poor body could not sustain life on its own. We knew in our hearts, even from Friday night, that his moment might come... the moment when we had to make the most heart wrenching decision of our lives. Surrounded by family and in the arms of his mother, who held his hand until his last breath, Merrick peacefully fell asleep forever. The valves of Merrick’s miracle heart were lovingly given to Gift of Life so that his miracle can go on in the life of another baby somewhere out there. We are both so grateful for the two days that Merrick fought so hard to give back to us. While it’s impossible to fit a lifetime of memories into two days, those two days of memories will last our entire lives. The lessons we learned and the strength we found in ourselves and in each other were another gift he gave us that will last for eternity.
We were extremely blessed to have had the financial support given to our family by the Riley Katheryn Foundation while planning the worst day of our lives, our sweet Merrick’s memorial service. I hope sharing our story will help someone out there going through loss of their own. I am open and willing to talk to anyone who needs someone to listen. Thank you Katie and your entire organization for all the good you do.
Executive Professional, Wife and Mother of two sons- one feisty 3 year old and one who died during childbirth, came back to life for two days and then went to sleep forever after succumbing to injuries sustained during a tragic birth accident
Our 2nd son, Merrick Carl Space, was born on Friday, November 25th, 2016 at 5:08pm, weighing 8 lb. 15 oz and measuring 21 and 1/4 inches and he was beautiful and perfect in every way.
During delivery there was an unforeseen complication that placed Merrick's umbilical card in a dangerous position as he traveled through the birth canal. In an attempt to move it out of the way, the cord snapped. The rush was then on to get him out as fast as possible and his shoulders became stuck in the birth canal. As a result, it caused him to lose vital amounts of blood and oxygen. By the time they got him out, he was not breathing and did not have a heartbeat. The hospital staff worked diligently for twenty long minutes to bring him back to us, but could not perform the miracle we so desperately hoped for. He was pronounced dead and was placed in our arms to grieve. The next hour and a half of our lives was spent holding our son, letting our family hold him and beginning the long process of repairing the damage to Mom that has been done to free Merrick from the birth canal.
Sixty or so minutes after his pronouncement, Merrick started to breathe and open his eyes. The nurses rushed to check Merrick for vitals and found his tiny heart beating strongly at a rate of 100 and he was struggling to breathe on his own. Our little angel had come back to us. Breathing support was given right away and the NICU arrived minutes later to whish him away for further treatment. We could hardly believe what was happening and the word miracle was repeated many times that night. Shortly afterward, Merrick was transferred to Children's Hospital for specialized NICU care.
As soon as he arrived in the NICU Friday night, they began cooling his body temperature to prevent any further injury to his brain and vital organs. He was stabilized and we were told the tests would begin in the morning. Our first meeting with the staff in the morning validated our fears of how sick he really was. Merrick had a significant chance of severe damage to most, if not all, of his vital organs, most importantly his brain. Only further testing would provide us with the evidence needed and so we waited.
Saturday was spent by Merrick's bedside, talking turns holding his sweet hands and kissing his chubby cheeks His body, although severely depressed, was still fighting to show signs of life. At the merest words from his mama, he would work so hard to open his eyes and usually succeeded in opening one if not both to look into her eyes and grip her finger in has hand. Those precious moment will be ones neither of us will forget for the rest of our lives. Our brave, strong son had come back from death to give us this gift of time with him.
On Sunday, we met with his team of doctors, including the Neurologist, who confirmed our worst fear., that Merrick's system was so severely damaged by the lack of oxygen that his poor body could not sustain life on its own. We knew in our hearts, even from Friday night, that his moment might come... the moment when we had to make the most heart wrenching decision of our lives. Surrounded by family and in the arms of his mother, who held his hand until his last breath, Merrick peacefully fell asleep forever. The valves of Merrick’s miracle heart were lovingly given to Gift of Life so that his miracle can go on in the life of another baby somewhere out there. We are both so grateful for the two days that Merrick fought so hard to give back to us. While it’s impossible to fit a lifetime of memories into two days, those two days of memories will last our entire lives. The lessons we learned and the strength we found in ourselves and in each other were another gift he gave us that will last for eternity.
We were extremely blessed to have had the financial support given to our family by the Riley Katheryn Foundation while planning the worst day of our lives, our sweet Merrick’s memorial service. I hope sharing our story will help someone out there going through loss of their own. I am open and willing to talk to anyone who needs someone to listen. Thank you Katie and your entire organization for all the good you do.