Saying our babies’ names is a way to protect and keep their memory going, when they cannot be here with us physically.
Danielle - Hailie's mum
Hailie May Thomas was born sleeping on 16 October 2022 at 10:17am. She was 24 weeks gestation at the time, weighed 505 grams and was 28cm long.
Her due date was my best friend’s birthday (5th February) but Hailie was stillborn 16 weeks early. I went into pre-term labour caused by intra-amniotic infection, Chorioamnionitis.
Her middle name, May, was the month her dad and I fell in love in May 2013 and became engaged in May 2020 and we got married in May 2021. We also became pregnant with Hailie in May 2022.
Hailie had long, blonde eyelashes, and the most perfect little lips. She was so tiny that I could support her little head with my index and middle fingers. I have 3 stepsons, and I was so excited to have our little girl, and for her big brothers to love and protect her. I wanted so badly to see my husband be a girl dad, and he and the boys couldn’t wait to teach her how to fish.
From the moment Hailie was born sleeping, I immediately talked about her in the present tense, and I’m very focused on always speaking about her in that way.
Saying our babies’ names is a way to protect and keep their memory going, when they cannot be here with us physically. And for anyone who is trying to support a bereaved parent, talking about their baby in the present tense (she/he/they are) makes them feel like you acknowledge their baby is still with them.
Say Their Name Day is on March 25 – a special day to remember all of the little lives we have loved and lost, and support bereaved families.
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