Sylvie Thorpe by NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer Nancy Wold

Forever Part of Our Family: Kylie’s Story of Losing Sylvie at 39 Weeks

Pregnancy loss and stillbirth often happen without warning, changing a family’s life in an instant. For parents navigating the heartbreak of losing a baby, memories become priceless. For Kylie and her family, photographs of their daughter Sylvie became a treasured part of their healing journey after experiencing the unimaginable loss of a full-term stillbirth.

A High-Risk Pregnancy Filled with Hope

My name is Kylie, and I lost my daughter, Sylvie, on May 31, 2025, at 39 weeks pregnant.

My pregnancy was considered high risk because I had previously experienced a preterm birth. Due to an incompetent cervix, I needed a cerclage placed during my pregnancy. Thankfully, the procedure went smoothly and it was removed at 36 weeks without complications.

Everything seemed to be going well. I was scheduled to be induced on June 2, and at my routine OB appointment on May 30, I heard Sylvie’s heartbeat. Everything looked perfect.

There were no signs that our world was about to change.

        Sylvie Thorpe by NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer Nancy Wold

A Sudden and Unimaginable Loss

Early Saturday morning, around 1 a.m., I started feeling contractions. They progressed rapidly, and we rushed to the hospital.

By the time we arrived, I was already fully dilated.

When the medical team checked for Sylvie’s heartbeat, they couldn’t find one.

To this day, we still don’t know exactly when we lost her.

The shock was overwhelming. Everything happened so quickly. One moment we were preparing to welcome our baby girl into the world, and the next we were facing every parent’s worst nightmare.

Sylvie was born at 2:15 a.m. She weighed 5 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 18 inches long. She had a full head of dark hair, the cutest little button nose, and full lips just like her big sister.

She was beautiful.

Supporting Siblings Through Pregnancy and Infant Loss

We also have two living children, and they were actually with us at the hospital that night.

We are incredibly thankful for the nurses who cared for them while we experienced the hardest moments of our lives. Their compassion gave us the space we needed while navigating unimaginable grief.

Then came one of the most painful conversations we’ve ever had to have: telling our children that their baby sister had died and would not be coming home with us.

They were devastated.

We all were.

Sylvie Thorpe by NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer Nancy Wold

The Gift of Photographs After Stillbirth

My husband and I spent precious time holding Sylvie. After a few hours, he left with our children while I stayed behind.

One of our nurses called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS), and I will forever be grateful that she did.

I was able to take photographs with Sylvie, moments that now mean everything to me.

We absolutely love her pictures and will cherish them forever.

Those photographs have become woven into our family’s life and memories. We’ve used them on stuffed animals and ornaments, framed them in our home, and placed them on our mantel beside her urn and the teddy bear we were given.

The images have helped our healing journey immensely.

On the days I miss Sylvie the most, I find myself looking through those photographs. They allow me to see her face, remember every detail, and feel close to her.

We miss her every single day.

She will always be part of our family.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, a dedicated 501(c)(3) non-profit, offers families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss with complimentary remembrance portraits, capturing precious moments with their babies. Your generous donation can help us extend this heartfelt service to more families in need. Please consider supporting us here.