“I’m a proud angel mama,” said McKenzie Stewart who on Sunday released a blue lantern lit in memory of her son, who was stillborn.
Stewart participated in an event organized by Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center which recognized Oct. 15 as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day.
The event is part of a new program for bereavement and pregnancy infant loss created to spread awareness, as well as to give families the opportunity to come together and share their stories and know they are not alone
Stewart was 17 years old when she found out she was pregnant. She was just over seven months along when the child was stillborn due to the umbilical cord being wrapped around his neck.
Stewart was joined at the event by her mother and partner. She wore a T-shirt in remembrance of her son.
PBRMC hopes to make this event an annual recognition. Participants were able to place blue or pink tea lights in lanterns with a hummingbird printed on the front representing peace.
Lanterns were released by families and medical staff on the pond behind the hospital.
Rachel and Dillin Nelson were 24 weeks pregnant with a baby girl. At the doctor’s appointment, the doctor found the baby had no heartbeat.
The baby had flipped back and forth causing the umbilical cord to wrap around her neck, the parents shared Sunday.
They were surrounded by Rachel’s family as they released their pink lit lantern in remembrance of their daughter.
As part of its bereavement program, PBRMC has also created a T-shirt in remembrance of babies lost during pregnancy. It is being sold through the hospital’s gift shop and the proceeds benefit the bereavement program.
“Not only is it a loss for the families, but it’s a loss for us too,” stated Heather Joiner from PBRMC. “We have about 10 losses a year, so raising funds will help us be able to provide something nice to those families during their grief.”
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