Several seizures, a few trips to the ER, numerous conversations with my OB/GYN, ultrasounds, medications… but no matter what I do the bleeding just won’t stop. I haven’t even had the chance to deal with my feelings because of how severe my physical symptoms have been. When I lost Lily I had a D&C with almost no complications but with Riley it seems that everything that can go wrong is going wrong.
People keep telling me God has a plan for me, that all of this is part of that plan and eventually I will understand… hearing this makes me want to scream. What the hell did I do to deserve the loss of two beautiful babies? What did I do to have to feel like I lose Riley over and over every time I experience one of the horrific events I mentioned above? I cannot comprehend loving a God, and putting all your faith in it and being okay with this type of pain being something you need to experience. No one should have to experience this and any God that believes babies need to die in order teach adults a lesson can go straight to hell.
Losing two babies in less than a year has made me reflect on a lot of things in my life and of course religion/faith is one of them. I know it would all be easier if I could just blame God and resign to the idea that it was for the best, but I don’t see it that way. I have been putting my faith in science and have been hopeful that the medical community could give me some answers but unfortunately it isnt as easy as it sounds. All of the tests and procedures are expensive. The only thing my genetic testing showed was that I have two copies of the MTHFR gene mutation which turns folic acid toxic when you are pregnant… so that might be the cause of the miscarriages… but as is often the case with science we can’t prove it so we can’t declare it the answer. And my doctors can’t explain why I am still bleeding and suffering the blood clots… all they can say is that they must not have removed everything during the first D&C and that unless they go in and look again they can’t say for sure what is going on… unfortunately I dont have the funds for another procedure so I wont find out any time soon.
On top of the cramping, bleeding and clots I am also experiencing some very unpleasant side effects. I know most people don’t want to hear about this but honestly, it is a horrific fact of life that this is what happens when a baby dies while still inside the womb. I will try not to get too graphic because the situation, especially when you see it with your own eyes day after day is incredibly traumatic… For instance, the other day while at work I passed a mass that was about the size of a golf ball. It was so traumatic that I actually took a photo of it and texted Rich with a message of “OMG what is this?”. I ran downstairs to the ER (one benefit of working in a hospital) the doctor said it appeared to be a combination of tissue and clotted blood… but they couldn’t say for sure without tests, which I had to decline because that would have been insanely expensive and really what difference does it make? It would just break my heart more to know I was holdinh products of conception in my hand… and it certainly wouldn’t help me to move forward.
On top of everything else I am dealing with the fact that we don’t live in a perfect world and that health care in the US kinda sucks. Each D&C is over 8,000 and my out of pocket expense is roughly 1,500 per procedure. This is on top of all of the ultrasounds, ER visits, and the 1,000 ambulance ride that occurred when I recently suffered a grand-mal seizure. It isn’t just the financial strain it puts on our family that ticks me off, it is that every time I receive an email that a new bill is in I have to cringe because it is just another reminder that my beautiful babies are gone. We currently have a go fund me set up because, as embarrassing as it is, we cannot handle all of these bills. I have actually told my doctor that I cannot make any more appointments because we are not able to afford it. In addition, Rich and I have canceled our wedding because all the money has to go straight to the insurance company.
I really just need all of this bleeding to stop and I mean that in the literal and metaphorical sense. I know eventually the physical symptoms will end and someday the bills will be paid off… but when will I start to feel like me again? I just don’t think I will truly heal until I can tackle the emotions I am experiencing and I don’t think I can delve into that until the external issues have been addressed. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to follow my journey, sad as it may be, knowing that there are people that care helps me more than you know.
*please feel free to share our link if you know anyone who might be able to relate to our struggle and would be interested in helping out
just a couple of atheists... 
I’m Canadian, & we do not understand your medical system whatsoever. Everything you mentioned would be covered under ours.
None of this could possibly help with your recovery, physically or emotionally, & I don’t know how you do it.
It definitely doesn’t help. It just adds to stress and anxiety. I wish we had a healthcare system like you do.
We’re very grateful for our system. I have had multiple surgeries, including full mastectomy, & am now waiting for hip replacements. I can’t imagine the cost if we had to cover any of it.
I’m so sorry for your losses and I hope that your health improves soon. You didn’t deserve any of this and neither did your precious babies. I’m wishing you strength and I hope your pain eases. Thank you for writing.
Thank you so much ❤ we are dealing with it as best we can. It will just take time
I’m so sorry you are going through this. I had a very similar experience with a miscarriage. I ended up in the ER hemorrhaging because there was still tissue inside my uterus. Had an emergency D&E. So traumatic. Getting the bills for the lost baby is just the shit icing on the turd cake.
I hope you heal both physically and mentally soon. Big hugs.
Gosh, I’m so sorry for all of the problems and loss you are going through. Our insurance truly does suck and even our own people in this country don’t understand what I’m talking about. It can feel like we did something terribly wrong in our life. We took a wrong path or something. I don’t often hear of problems like this or maybe some of these people have wonderful family members to help pay for things. I experience costs like these with the type of cancer I have. We pay out around $10,000 in premiums each year but first have to meet a $5,000 deductible before things are paid. Cancer just doesn’t go away after a removal of an area. They will do this until they finally decide to give me chemo or something. More huge expenses I’m sure. There is no life to live when you are constantly having to pay, pay, pay. On the other hand, I had two children who ended up to have their own serious problems both mentally and physically. I also ended up raising the only grandchild I had because of their problems. That caused more financial problems. I’m sure there is a bank that would like us to serve jail time for not paying them. It goes on.
I hope that science will eventually find some solution to your health problems. You may not be able to have children but there are many other ways to satisfy your life I have found. A lot of young people I know are choosing not to have children. I’m not sure why but I suspect the money and commitment. Maybe they realize they shouldn’t have them for some reason.
It doesn’t help that our current government has no compassion whatsoever.
I wish the best for you two!