Kristianna, Spreading HOPE for Arabella Ann
Ambassador kristianna hall, sharing in memory of arabella Ann
“In October 2021 we were thrilled to find out we were pregnant with our first child. Being new parents, navigating a wild journey, we started to prepare for our baby by gathering clothing, a crib, diapers, basically anything I possibly could to get ready for our bundle of joy.
My first appointment was in December at 8 weeks 5 days. We got our first ultrasound pictures and a due date of 7/26/2022. We were over the moon. As things continued to progress, I was very sleepy and nauseous but so overjoyed we would be welcoming a new addition to our family. We continued to have appointments once a month in January, February, and March. We loved watching our baby grow and getting to hear her heartbeat and even feel kicks of joy.
Our anatomy scan was on March 8th, at 20 weeks, and we found out for International Women’s Day that she was a girl! I knew before I was even pregnant that her name would be Arabella. Her middle name Ann came from my mother’s middle name, as well as my late Mother in Law’s middle name (who passed years ago before I had the opportunity to meet her.)
On March 14th it was my 29th birthday and we celebrated with a delicious meal at Olive Garden. I was beyond thrilled to get more small gifts for our sweet angel rather than myself for this year. Surrounded by family we all rejoiced at the thought that we would have a new sweet baby to love on and cherish forever. Little did I know, our paradise would soon come to an end as I woke up in the middle of the night on March 25th, 2022 and lost huge amounts of blood and clots. I woke my husband up and we immediately knew something was very wrong. We rushed to the closest hospital filled with fear and panic, unaware of how much worse things could get.
When we arrived to St. Anthony’s North, we explained that I was 23 weeks pregnant and had lost blood and fluid and needed to be seen right away. To make a long story shorter, the Doctor and nurses ran tests but said she was a week short of what was considered viability at 24 weeks and they would do nothing to intervene or assist. They also told us they are a catholic hospital and we would need to leave and go to another facility to deliver since Arabella would not make it and it was against their religious policies. Still losing a ton of blood and at a loss for words, my husband drove me across town to our OB’s office in Louisville, CO to deliver. When we arrived, we were told the nurses would be expecting us, but instead we were like strangers showing up at this facility and the front desk lady asked if I was expecting. I was bewildered and said I think I am losing our daughter right now please hurry and we were rushed to a room in labor and delivery.
After many more tests and long hours, they confirmed Arabella’s heartbeat was gone and all we could do was wait to deliver her lifeless body. At 11:47 AM, our angel was born and was the most beautiful long legged little girl I have ever laid eyes on. Looking back, we had the perfect pregnancy with no spotting, no warning signs or issues. Arabella was strong and powerful, and I couldn’t help but shake the feeling it was my body and an undetected infection that resulted in her demise. In the end her cause of death was listed as PPROM and placental abruption but they are unsure what exactly might have caused the silent dilation and preterm labor. To say this has been the most difficult event of our lives would be an understatement. We are still fighting insurance and Doctors who charged over $40,000 this year so far to my health plan and feel in the end we are left with nothing. We are honored to be able to share our story and the legacy of our only child. Mommy and Daddy love you forever and always Arabella Ann.
RTZ have been a huge help for people to share their story and have connection and a sense of community. It's important to exist so people don't feel so alone.”
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 RTZ Hope. 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.