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Bereavement

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My beautiful red-headed 13-month daughter died totally unexpectedly

999 replies

MiaAlexandrasmummy · 19/11/2011 14:12

I have never posted on mumsnet before, while my beautiful Mia was alive, although I read all the advice often. So I feel a bit of a fraud now - I can't be her mummy anymore.

She died nearly four weeks ago now. We had the most beautiful, touching service, with our families from all over the world with us, and we have been so touched by all the love shown to us by friends, friends of family, friends of friends, and even people who we don't even know.

But I hurt so much. The pain returns afresh each day, overwhelming me, even though I am managing to get up, get out of the house, and function on a basic level.

Mia wasn't supposed to die. She was so happy, developing well, eating well, with no sign of illness. But she was, it turns out.

I am her mummy, and she spent so much time with me. How could I not know?? How can we go on and adapt to a life without her? Obviously, people manage somehow, but I keep fighting the fact that she is really gone, and we will never see her smile again, kiss her soft curls or hold her in our arms. It is so wrong.

OP posts:
BeaOnSea · 19/11/2011 14:41

I am so sorry for your loss. I cannot even begin to imagine what you are going through.

Please remember you will always be Mia's mummy - nobody can take that away from you.

Please stay with Mumsnet. There is always somebody here who is listening.

xx

CiderwithBuda · 19/11/2011 14:43

I can't manage to link to the thread I mentioned but I posted on it and I know that one of them will be along.

WhyItsMeAgain · 19/11/2011 14:43

I am so sorry for your loss, Mia Alexandra is a beautiful, beautiful name. Thoughts are with you and your family at this most difficult of times.

Thumbwitch · 19/11/2011 14:44

So very sorry for your loss - Mia sounds beautiful. Do you want to share what happened?

She will always be there, in your hearts, as part of your family. xx

SixStringWidowTwankey · 19/11/2011 14:44

so sorry xx

nickschic · 19/11/2011 14:47

Theres nothing to say except sorry Sad.

Pekka · 19/11/2011 14:47

I am so sorry for your loss. You will be her mummy forever, her smile will be with you through the good and the bad that is to come.

Loonytoonie · 19/11/2011 14:50

Mia's Mummy. There are no words...

So very, very sorry x

Bluetinkerbell · 19/11/2011 14:50

So sorry for your loss! ((hugs))
we have an amazing thread here on Mumsnet where bereaved mums share their tears, pains, questions and joys, please join us here if you feel up to it! x

MadamTwoSwords · 19/11/2011 14:52

I can't begin to imagine how you feel and am so sorry for your loss. Mia sounds beautiful x

Tobermory · 19/11/2011 14:52

I am so sorry for your loss, I could only imagine how very, very difficult the last few weeks have been for you and your family.

Mia sounds like she was a lovely girl and very loved.

Right now those photos, videos and things are a poor replacement for what you have lost, in time im sure they will be treasured and bring you joy. Both my parents have died (not the same bereavement i know and im not trying to compare) but I have found that after the raw and desolate sense of loss, to be able to look at photos and remember them brings me some comfort. I am still sad when i look at their phtos but I can smile too.

How is your DH? How are you coping together?

HeadsRollingInTheAisles · 19/11/2011 14:53

So, so sorry xxxx

ExitPursuedByaBear · 19/11/2011 14:53

I am so sorry for your loss. I can only begin to imagine the pain that you are feeling. Mia will always live on in your heart and in your memories. I hope that in time you will find some peace of mind.

MiaAlexandrasmummy · 19/11/2011 14:55

We still don't exactly know what happened.

The coroner decided a post-mortem was necessary because healthy babies don't die 4 hours after being admitted to hospital. We took her because her breathing was funny and she had vomited - we thought she had a tummy bug. (But how I hate the thought of her little body being cut - but it is not our decision).

It turns out she had bronchial pneumonia, a viral infection of the heart, and a bacterial infection of the heart valves which had been present for some time. It is still not known if it was one of these, or all of them in combination. And no specific symptoms - we had been to various GPs for small matters quite a few times the weeks beforehand and nothing out of the ordinary had been picked up.

It seems that Mia was just incredibly unlucky. So unfair.

OP posts:
pixiestix · 19/11/2011 15:00

I'm so so sorry for you. This is heartbreaking to read.

deemented · 19/11/2011 15:01

I am so very sorry that Mia died. It's not right, and it's not fair. But you will alwas be her Mummy, even when you are a wizend old lady of 104, that will never ever change and no one can ever take it away from you.

missismac · 19/11/2011 15:02

Oh Mia's Mum, you poor, poor lady. I'm so sad & so sorry for the loss of your beautiful red-headed daughter. I have red-headed daughter too & I can't even begin to imagine not having her any more. Your Lovely Mia.

I hope that you're in touch with sands? www.uk-sands.org/Support/Overview.html They really can be so, so helpful, please get in touch with them - the people you meet there will help and understand ina way that maybe we cannot. Though the 'say their names' thread that Bluetinkerbell mentioned will probably be able to be more practically supportive too.

You and Mia will be in my prayers tonight & in the weeks and months to come.

Whatevertheweather · 19/11/2011 15:04

Oh Miasmummy I so desperately sorry that your have lost your beautiful girl. She sounds adorable. Can I just echo again what Blue said about the bereaved mummies thread. You'd be so welcome on there. I've found it an enormous help.

I'm going to church later to light a candle for my dd. I will light one for Mia too.

The coming weeks (months, years) will be very hard. Please be gentle with yourself and take all and any support offered and don't be afraid to ask for anything. And we'll always be here to xx

NoNoNoMYDoIt · 19/11/2011 15:04

I am so so sorry to read your story. My heart goes out to you and your family x

shabbapinkfrog · 19/11/2011 15:05

So very sorry to hear about your precious daughter.

Can I second Bluetinkerbells post? The bereaved Mums thread is a safe haven. We all support each other - nobody judges. xx

philmassive · 19/11/2011 15:07

Oh I am so sorry to hear what you have been going through. Mia sounds like a lovely bouncy little thing from your description. Please do talk about her and tell us about her on here. I hope you have someone to give you a hug and to share your memories with in real life too. It is not fair that she has been taken from you.

NonnoMum · 19/11/2011 15:09

Beautiful little girl... So sorry. x

insanityscratching · 19/11/2011 15:10

I am so sorry to read of your devastating loss Miasmummy. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers x

DizzyCow63 · 19/11/2011 15:10

I am so very sorry. Mia sounds beautiful.

MiaAlexandrasmummy · 19/11/2011 15:18

The family have written some beautiful poems about Mia, which were used at the celebration of her life. I would love to share them with you all. Here is the one written by my sister.

Baby Mia
Baby Mia, we picture your face alight with laughter
As you bounce up and down with happiness
Baby Mia, we delight as we remember your toothy grin
As you smile up at those you love

Baby Mia, we marvel at mess you made
As you embarked upon your daily feasts
Baby Mia, we revel still in your baby smell
And your dimpled legs that were good enough to eat

Baby Mia, we loved to touch your red fluffy hair
As unique as you, both fiery and sweet
Baby Mia, we see you dressed in purple, lime and orange
Colours vibrant, but somehow delicate on you

Baby Mia, we see just how proud your parents were
As they watched you grow and learn and change
Baby Mia, our hearts both lift and fall when we now think of you
As we wish you eternal peace.

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