Today, it seems like every expecting woman on the planet shares her pregnancy on social media. They post baby announcements, gender reveals, updates, and birth announcements all the time.
As amazing as it can be to see someone else's pregnancy progress, it can also be hard — especially for parents who have suffered the loss of a child.
Unfortunately, we don't talk about these situations in the same way. For some reason, it's still taboo to talk about the dangers of pregnancy and childbirth. Although a lot of women have early-term miscarriages, losing a fetus in the late stages of pregnancy or having a stillborn is far less common.
Many parents-to-be feel an emotional connection with the baby even before it is born. Knowing you'll get to meet your infant soon is one of the most exciting experiences.
When a baby's life ends unexpectedly before birth, however, the experience is often devastating for the parents.
Troy and Kelly Austin know this pain all too well. Now, they're trying to honor their stillborn son's life in the best way they can.
[H/T: ScaryMommy]
Troy Austin recently ran a marathon with an empty stroller to honor his stillborn son.
He shared their story on Facebook, writing:
“Hey mate you have lost your kid”
This phrase was a double edged sword, a sentence that was said so innocently at last weekend's marathon.
As we lined up at the start with other pram pushers and their children, running for great causes. This phrase was said for the first time, “Yes that’s the point” the smile dropped from her face as she came for a hug and apologized.
I smiled because at that moment it was the reaction I was hoping for and almost the last time it occurred throughout the day.
I was here to support Brett and Robert as they were running for our charity, also Brett’s first marathon and was so glad he was beside me. Because every time “Hey mate you lost your kid” it took a good mate beside me to have a chat so my bottom lip didn’t tremble, as I would try think up quick ways of saying yes I have lost my kid and I am not getting him back.
As the run continued the onslaught was relentless, crossing over to the second lap I here on the loud speaker…."here comes old mate and it looks like he lost his kid" more giggles from the crowd.
Sometimes I could explain why the pram was empty…. other times we smiled and moved on.
No you can't sit in and get a ride, no I am not picking my kid up on the last lap (wish I could). By the last 10km both myself and Brett had finally realized that some of their laughter was because they didn't know what to say or didn't want to think about it. Innocently not realizing what it meant and not knowing what to do when some found out.
T.G would have been 1 1/2 years old and sitting in the pram, however there would be no Legacy, no reason and no knowledge because until we were told he had passed we didn’t have any idea it could happen.
100+ people recognized I had lost my son last weekend, even if they didn't realize it.
Thank you Brett for sharing this Journey on the day, raising funds for our little boy. Congratulations on such a well run first marathon and all the training that brought you here.
Thank you Run with Rob for supporting our charity this year as all money T.G's Legacy receives goes directly to Sands Qld to help with there supporting rolls in our communities.
I think the empty pram is here to stay…. not empty.
My son was with us.
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