In collaboration with the Butterfly Run Vancouver, BC Women's Health Foundation and Reproductive Mental Health we are sharing real stories from real women to support pregnancy loss, infant loss and infertility. Read Mickey’s story about pregnancy loss and the discovery of Anencephaly in her unborn baby and the difficult decision she had to make.

MICKEY’S STORY

I got a call from my doctor the Friday before mother’s day telling me my 2nd trimester screening results came back with irregularities. We booked an ultrasound for the next week to get more information. When I went in for my appointment, the technician was very quiet, and then left the room to get the doctor. After what seemed like an eternity (and I needed to pee!) the doctor came in and let me know that my baby had anencephaly - a condition where the head doesn’t close. She asked if I wanted to see the ultrasound pictures. And I did. It was hard, but important for me to see. She mentioned I could stay in the hospital and the would induce labour immediately, I could opt for a late pregnancy abortion, or wait until I delivered naturally, which may cause complications and a c-section, since the baby didn’t have a formed head and would likely not crown. I opted to wait and talk to my doctor. I was also taken to talk to a genetics councillor, but no answers could really be given. After talking to my doctor, I opted for an abortion. This was almost a week long procedure, with the first day was the worst, as this is when they injected my stomach with something to stop the baby’s heart. They then inserted sea-weed sticks into my cervix over a period of 3-4 days to open my cervix. I was told I could deliver the baby at home as a result, and just to get into the bath if that happened, which was a very scary thought. Luckily the baby did not come at home, and I had the D&C at the hospital later that week. After the D&C, my body thought it had delivered a baby, being a late term abortion, and so I produced milk. It was difficult having milk for weeks, and no baby. Just over a year after the procedure, I was blessed with a very healthy little boy, and now, over 8 years later, I have 2 very sweet healthy boys.