Arianna, Spreading HOPE for Carter, Layla, and Baby M
Ambassador Arianna, fundraising in memory of Carter, Layla, and Baby M
“My husband and I got married in October of 2020. We unexpectedly got pregnant with our first child on our honeymoon. Baby M was a very loved and wanted baby. I had a missed miscarriage at 9 weeks in January of 2021 most likely due to a chromosomal abnormality but we’ll never know for sure. August 1st, 2021, we found out we were pregnant with our rainbow, Carter Reid Miller. I had a very difficult pregnancy and my mental health suffered. Carter was a perfectly healthy baby and was on track to be tall like his daddy. He was born early via c-section at 25w4d on 12.23.21 due to a placental abruption. He died 12.27.21 at 3 1/2 days old and not knowing why still haunts me to this day. We were told to wait at least 6 months before trying again. I’d finally been diagnosed with PCOS and opted to use Letrozole to help me ovulate. March 25, 2023, we found out I was pregnant for the third time. We tried to stay hopeful that things would work out. However, Layla Rose Miller was diagnosed with Down syndrome after I had genetic testing and she ultimately passed away as another missed miscarriage at 13 weeks due to hydrops in May 2023. I delivered her tiny yet fully formed body on 6.1.23. We decided to start trying again as soon as we got the green light from my OBGYN. We received heartbreaking news that I have a genetic mutation (translocation) and that our best bet to have a living baby would be to move forward with IVF and do genetic testing on the embryos. Unfortunately, IVF is out of our budget at this time so I’m currently taking Letrozole in hopes that we’ll bring a living baby home. My life has completely changed since losing my babies but I want to bring hope and sense of community to those going through similar situations in honor of my children.
I just recently found RTZ on social media and have signed up for the couples infant loss support group that starts next month”
Pregnancy and infant loss is an unique type of loss, leaving the grievers to feel isolated and unsure of how to move forward. We'd be grateful if you you would consider making a contribution to Arianna’s fundraiser in honor of Carter, Layla, and Baby M. Your gift ensures that other parents who endure loss on their journey to parenthood have the support, resources, and community they need in order to navigate life after loss.
With your support, here’s what we were able to accomplish during 2022 (2022 Annual Report):
Fifty percent of support group participants received financial support to ensure that all parents have access to services.
Enhanced outreach to and created support services for Black, Indigenous, and other Communities of Color as a response to the alarming rate of preterm births and stillbirths caused by racial disparities in perinatal and infant health.
Offered 50 different support group programs (virtual workshops, virtual support groups, and in-person retreats) to our community of bereaved families.
Supplied our unique perinatal bereavement guides to 400 hospitals and providers to assist in caring for grieving families.
Hosted 10 perinatal bereavement education webinars to parents and providers.
Created community and spread awareness about pregnancy and infant loss through social media.