Maddie West

In August 2024, my husband and I were so excited to find out we were expecting what we thought would be the last baby to complete our family. My first pregnancy had been difficult because I was sick most of the time, so I was relieved when my second pregnancy did not come with the same challenges.

For our last baby, we decided we wanted to wait until birth to find out whether we were having a boy or a girl. Throughout the pregnancy, I went back and forth, wondering if we would be welcoming another girl into our family or our first boy.

             Maddie West by NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer Lindsey Richards

An Unexpected Loss

On April 10, 2025, at almost 39 weeks pregnant, I went into labor at home. My husband and I headed to the hospital, excited to finally meet our baby.

Unfortunately, when we arrived and I was hooked up to the monitors, the staff was unable to locate a heartbeat. After an ultrasound, it was confirmed that our baby girl had passed away unexpectedly just a few hours before we arrived.

Later, we learned that her death was caused by a very rare and random partial placental abruption.

I gave birth to Maddie that evening, and we were able to spend that night and the following day with her. Even in the midst of our heartbreak, we were …