Meet Chantelle

 

Shortly before we got married, my husband and I talked about starting our family right away. To our surprise and joy, we conceived immediately. I still remember the excitement we felt—and how thrilled our families were. It was the first grandchild on both sides, and after a perfect 8-week scan, we couldn’t imagine anything going wrong. So, the planning began.

 

At our 12-week scan, we learned the heartbreaking news that our baby had stopped growing at 8 weeks and 1 day. We had a D&C the next day.

 

The months that followed were difficult as we struggled to conceive again. Almost exactly a year later, we found ourselves pregnant once more. It felt like a blessing—two babies, due just two days apart. But sadly, we lost that pregnancy at 6 weeks. Another missed miscarriage.

 

With heavy hearts, we decided to try again.

 

We conceived the following month, but this time everything felt different. The joy and excitement were replaced by fear and anxiety. Every scan was filled with dread, every milestone met with caution. But in May 2024, our sweet boy arrived—and finally, we could breathe again.

 

Through all of our losses, I was a quiet advocate on social media. Sharing helped me feel less alone in the darkness. While waiting for my first D&C at the EPAC centre, I was given a small teddy bear. It was such a simple gesture, but it meant the world to me. That bear came with me to every scan and was my comfort when the fear became overwhelming.

 

Now, I’m grateful that same teddy bear sits with our son’s other stuffies. I get to admire it in a different light now—in a different place.

 

We’ve experienced three losses. After our son, we also had a chemical pregnancy, and that familiar pain returned. But today, we are incredibly thankful to be expecting our second rainbow baby in December 2025.

 

Every loss—no matter how early—is deeply felt. And one day, I know I’ll hold all five of my babies in my arms.