In August of 2008, my husband and I were surprised to find out that we were pregnant. We were going to be parents for the first time! We were scared but excited! We went to our 8 week ultrasound appointment and saw our girl Riley for the first time. We nicknamed her our “gummy bear” because she was so tiny.
Our world began to shift at our 12 week ultrasound when pictures of Riley showed that her head was measuring very large. The doctor wanted more time to see her develop. We left feeling guarded but hopeful.
Our world turned upside-down at our 19 week ultrasound. We were told the devastating news that sweet Riley had severe hydrocephalus – “Water on the brain.” We were told that if she made it, she would be plagued with a long list of lifelong health problems. She would need 3 surgeries within days of her being born to place a shunt in her skull to relieve the pressure of the fluid build-up. We were told to consider ending our pregnancy. Upon much soul-searching and heartbroken tears, we decided that we would do the most loving thing we could for our baby girl Riley, which was to release her wings which would fly her to heaven. Our lives will never be the same, having known Riley for the 5 months she was inside her mommy’s tummy. Glorious angels took Riley to heaven on November 20, 2008. She flies with magnificent wings. We miss her dearly and we have vowed to help other parents who have and will have to make a heartbreaking choice like ours. This is how her life and legacy lives on.
To my sweet Riley Rose
Angel Day: 11/20/08 EDD: 4/9/09
I’m so sorry. None of us expected our pregnancies to end in this heartwrenching ache. It makes me smile to think of Blake and Riley playing together in heaven. Thank you for companionship week after week and for helping us get closer to our “new normal”.
By: Sharnette on April 7, 2009
at 6:53 pm
I never knew her middle name. Oh, dear friends…it is so obvious how you love her.
By: Faye on April 9, 2009
at 1:44 pm
I’m new to Riley’s story – but your sweet girl shares a name with my little Rose….
A little flower lent not given, to bud on earth and bloom in heaven.
By: T on August 10, 2009
at 9:50 am
my husband and my story is similiar….we found out yesterday at our 13 week scan that our beautiful child’s skull had not closed properly and its brain has been left exposed. we have been given no choice but to terminate. we are both so heartbroken and in shock, not quite sure how this happened and more importantly why. i am trying to find stories now of other people who have expereinced similiar to help us deal with this immense grief.
we entered this pregnancy with so little information, not realising all the things that can go wrong. After having a healthy 11 week scan, we thought that we were over the “risk” period and we could relax. Who knew that in an instant our lives would be changed forever?
thank you for sharing your story….
By: lei on October 6, 2011
at 1:35 am