Ashley
Mom of Noah who passed away in December of 2024
“After struggling for years with infertility, we were so excited to be pregnant again and expanding our family from 3 to 4. Noah was so loved from the very beginning. At almost 36 weeks, he was born still. He was the most beautiful baby; a carbon copy of his big brother.”
At the time of your loss, what did you find most helpful?
I felt so lost early on. Shocked, numb, overwhelmed. A friend connected me with the founder of Propa City, Stephanie, and she became someone I relied heavily on in those first few weeks and continues to be a support. She even brought a care package to the hospital and helped us find a funeral home for Noah. About 6 weeks in, I found Empty Arms and started attending Support Groups. These groups were so helpful because it was the one space that I didn’t feel alone or judged. Reading also helped with this. The first book I read on stillbirth continues to be my favorite, Unimaginable: Life After Baby Loss by Brooke Taylor. I related to her words so much. I also made an Instagram page [always_my_noah_bear] to be able to post about Noah in a space that felt safe.
Lately, what resources are you turning to for support?
I continue to attend support groups with Empty Arms and have connected in person with some fellow loss moms. I continue to read; currently reading It’s Ok That You’re Not Ok by Megan Devine. Noah’s Instagram page is place of comfort for me, and now a place where I have connected with so many other loss parents. I wouldn’t say there’s a specific account that I find helpful, it’s the community that I have found there that truly helps.
“I remember early on, a fellow loss mom said to me, “It doesn’t get easier, but it gets different.” There was some comfort in that statement. As we continue to move through this loss and find new ways to honor and include Noah, this makes sense to me. It hasn’t gotten easier, but we continue to evolve.”
Ashley attended our monthly Stillbirth and Neonatal Loss Support Group and our Parenting After Loss Support Group (for those with children at the time of loss) and continues to attend groups!
Ashley and her family live in Massachusetts