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Baby names

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Dilemma: 'Reusing' a name

29 replies

MissusWrex · 03/04/2016 04:30

We previously have had a late miscarriage. It was a huge shock and we called him 'Alex' as the nurse said she was fairly sure he was a boy but couldn't tell us conclusively? We didn't have an autopsy.

I'm now 36+5 pregnant with ds. Around 20 weeks we were having lots of discussions about names, we couldn't match our lists up at all! We both loved Alexander so decided that it would be ok to use it.

I'm really not comfortable with the decision anymore though.

We have told family and friends that will be his name and they all say it's lovely and not weird at all.

But 'Alex' in my mind is the baby whose ashes I have in a box with a teddy and a bracelet with the name Alex on.

I can't describe how much it has hurt me when I have to say 'the baby we lost' instead of Alex when talking about what happened because Akex is now what everyone is calling the baby who is coming.

I feel like it's unfair for the new baby to be overshadowed by that name and also that I'm 'erasing' our miscarriage from history, that he wasn't important enough to keep his own name. It's also affecting my bonding with the baby because now I recoil when I think if his name.

I don't even know where to start mentioning this to DP. I'm worried he will be angry because we've told everyone about it and I agreed with it and we have no back up name.

I actually can't sleep I am so stressed out about it. It feels so wrong to me now, it has for about two months. I love the name so much but it is already very much taken in my mind.

I feel like everyone will be angry at me or think in being silly.

How do I go about telling people all this? I'm not very good at expressing my feelings verbally and feel like I'll just blub at them.

Or am I just being stupid and its actually ok to reuse the name.

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MitzyLeFrouf · 03/04/2016 04:43

There is absolutely nothing stupid and nothing silly about the emotions you're experiencing. I think it would be unfair on you and unfair on your new son if you called him Alex. You already have a child called Alex, even if he's no longer with you.

Tell you're DP what you're feeling. There are lots of names out there, it doesn't matter if your son is nameless for a few days until you hit on something you both love.

Best of luck Flowers

MissusWrex · 03/04/2016 04:43

Thank you Bittapitta.

Deep down I know I can't use the name. I just felt selfish because that is now what everyone is calling the baby I'm pregnant with.

I just want scream at them that that's not his name and it's all my own bloody fault.

I've tried to begin to tell Dp a few times since Christmas but the words just don't come out. I sit there and psych myself up to starting the conversation and it just doesn't happen.

That isn't really like me at all! Usually it's in my head and out my mouth the next second.

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babyconverse · 03/04/2016 04:38

Talk to your dp about it- I'm sure he won't be angry with you and you can discuss alternatives.

Sorry for your loss and congrats on the pregnancy

bittapitta · 03/04/2016 04:38

Personally I wouldn't reuse the name. Perhaps Alexander as a middle name? but not as a first name. You are definitely not being stupid! Your dp should be understanding, I assume the loss hit him hard too. Obviously family and friends say "that's lovely" at your name announcement because that's what good family and friends do - don't worry, people change their mind on baby names all the time, even after birth! Sorry for your late miscarriage Flowers

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