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Bereavement

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My baby daughter died 10 months ago

23 replies

Lillysmother · 29/09/2023 14:17

Hi all,

I feel like I need to tell this to someone. I never wrote in a forum before in my life.
My baby daughter died from lack of oxygen, one week after her birth. During the delivery, the doctors failed to find her heart beat, and let me deliver her naturally. They didn't realise that her umbilical cord was stuck and she was severely deprived of oxygen in the last ~20 min of birth. She was born silently, and did not breath, the doctors attached her to life support, and a few days later realised that the damage from lack of oxygen was too high, and that they could not save her.

Now, 10 months later, I'm pretty much functioning, I'm soon finishing my PhD (supposed to write my thesis at this very moment). Sometimes I'm not ok, though.
Lilly was my first and only daughter, and she didn't have to die.
Now we have problems with getting pregnant a second time, it's possible that Lilly will always be our only daughter.
It feels like I'm grieving many things at once. My daughter, the idea of being a mother (to a living child), and the friends I lost after the tragedy (including my best friend).

Life is so different after the birth. I hardly recognise myself. We are trying to keep the marriage intact, trying to put on a happy face.
I feel very isolated, there's no friend with whom I can talk about any of this. as I mentioned, my best friend gave up on me. I guess it was too difficult for her to be there when I'm weak. I was never the weak person, in any relationship. But now I am, and I don't know how to be that.
I need a break, I need to finish the PhD and all my obligations. I need to feel that someone understands me.

To whoever decides to read this, thank you. I really needed to say this.

Best,
Lilly's mom

OP posts:
beth821 · 29/09/2023 14:21

Hi Lily's mum, I'm so so sorry to hear about your daughter. My daughter died in the same way nearly 5 years ago and I completed my PhD 2 years after so please feel free to pm me and chat, it's the hardest thing in the world. Xx

Catbustotoro · 29/09/2023 14:22

I am so sorry that happened to Lilly and to you. I can only imagine how devastating it must be, and how harditmust be to live through.
Just sending you love and light x

QuiltedHippo · 29/09/2023 14:22

Hi Lillys mum, what a beautiful name for your little girl.
I'm so sorry your friend wasn't there the way they should have been. And what a lot you have on your plate, if the end if in sight for your PhD then maybe that is the place to pour everything into right now.
But equally if you need to back off and take time out, focus on your family then there couldn't be anything more valid.
Please keep posting if it helps get your thoughts in order, it's so important to talk

listlovers · 29/09/2023 14:23

I’m so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Lilly 💐

OhComeOnFFS · 29/09/2023 14:23

I'm so sorry. Flowers

KeepSmiling89 · 29/09/2023 14:23

Hi OP
What an ordeal you've been through and I'm so sorry you've suffered in the aftermath so much. Well done in reaching out. Your 'friend' who gave up on you wasn't really a friend, but I can understand how that'll be something you're grieving as well.
Don't know what else to say but didn't want to read and run. Hang in there and be kind to yourself. There's no time limit on grief - take your time and do what you need to do.
Well done on your PhD!
Can you book yourself a nice holiday or something once it's all done? Have you and your husband considered counselling? It could be helpful for both of you - keep the lines of communication open as much as possible. Let him know how you're feeling...chances are he'll be thinking something similar.

Take care 💐

BrotherViolence · 29/09/2023 14:23

I'm so sorry this happened to you. It isn't weak to grieve, you have been through something unimaginably painful.

CinnamonBear · 29/09/2023 14:23

I'm so sorry Flowers

Freysimo · 29/09/2023 14:24

I'm so sorry Lilly's mum. 10 months is no time at all to begin to process the loss of your lovely daughter in such a traumatic way. Have you thought about reaching out to the Compassionate Friends, a bereavement charity? My adult son died 16 years ago and I found it a godsend. There are lots of mums (and some dads) in the on line group who have lost small children. They truly will understand what you are going through.

Please believe me you are not weak. Child bereavement is a loss like no other and some friends and family will never understand this sadly.

Sending love.

ViscountessBridgerton · 29/09/2023 14:26

I'm so sorry to hear what you have been through.

Have you had any sort of counselling? An objective professional could be the sounding board you need to help you grieve / offload / process things. I'm so sorry to hear about the situation with your best friend as well.

Sending hugs xx

Pottomous2 · 29/09/2023 14:27

Sending hugs OP

Malificent1 · 29/09/2023 14:28

I’m so sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter xx And I’m sorry that you didn’t have a better friend. It wasn’t and isn’t you, that was all on her. She didn’t know how to be a good friend when you needed her.

Sending love.

Runnerduck34 · 29/09/2023 14:29

Hello Lillysmum
I hear you. Im so sorry, have you reached out to SANDS for support? Talking to other parents may help.
Wishing you lots of luck for your PHD.
Do try and be gentle with yourself

MariaVT65 · 29/09/2023 14:32

Hi, I’m so very sorry to hear what you’ve been through. I couldn’t imagine going through it, it must be one of the worst things a parent can go through 💐

Have you had any bereavement counselling? A PP suggested a break/holiday, if you can afford it, it might be good for a change of scenery for a few days. Exercise is also good I think.

I hope you’ve also started litigation against the hospital, but I understand this process can take years.

Good on you for continuing with your PhD :)

Munchyseeds2 · 01/10/2023 15:49

Hello lillys mum
I'm so sad to read this and can't even begin to imagine what you are going through, all I can say is that 10 months is nothing in terms of time
Do whatever you need to feel better and be kind to each other xx

Ivofexpressoplease · 01/10/2023 15:58

Lily is a beautiful name ❤️ sending love to you x

ElephantGrey101 · 01/10/2023 16:17

I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful baby girl. Sending so much love to you. 10 months is such a short time to process something so traumatic.

Have you come across the charity PEEPs HIE? They provide support for people whose babies have been deprived of oxygen at birth and can fund therapy if that is something that might help.

PTSDBarbiegirl · 01/10/2023 16:20

Aw Lilly's mom, what a beautifully written piece. Your love for your baby daughter is so strong and always will stay that way, she existed and was your little beautiful baby girl. I'm so, so sorry this happened to Lilly and to you. You have a lot to cope with, can you defer the PhD? Your DH and you need to find a way to express the loss, grief, sorrow and shock. Your hospital experience sounds horrendous. Please see that you deserve happiness in life and you can communicate with your partner, please do. You've lost so much but uou can move forward with help. Take care.

viktoria · 01/10/2023 16:25

I'm so sorry for what happened.
You are amazing, having the strength not only to keep going day after day but also to work on a PHD so please give yourself credit for that.
About your friend - some people just don't know how to deal with the bereavement. It must have been very upsetting especially when it comes at a time when you really need a friend.
I hope you and your partner can work through things and give each other the time and space to deal with what happened to your family.
Just because haven't fallen pregnant again, does not mean you won't in the future.
All the very best

PastTheGin · 01/10/2023 16:33

I am so sorry for your loss, you must miss Lilly terribly. It has not been long since you lost her, take all the time that you need to talk about her and grieve. Xx

CopperLion · 01/10/2023 16:42

Lily’s mum, I’m so sorry to read this and am sending you love. You’re incredible to still be completing your PhD, but if you need to put it on pause that’s ok too. I hope you and your partner can find a way to support each other through this and stay strong as a unit. Lily sounds like a beautiful soul. Xxx

Ontheflipside_ · 01/10/2023 16:57

I'm so sorry to read this. You're so strong x

crostini · 01/10/2023 17:25

Im so, so sorry. You're so incredibly strong.

Don't put on a brave face. If it feels like you have too much on, then find away to lighten the load. Keep things simple for the foreseeable, I think you need more time to really rest. Don't jump back into to life before and harm yourself in the process.

Again, I'm so sorry, and send you all the comfort in the world.

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