October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month—a time to honor the babies we have lost and the families navigating grief, heartbreak, and healing. This story comes from one of our Save the Storks staff members, Jessica, who courageously shares her journey through miscarriage and the hope that followed.
Jessica’s Story
“When my husband Levi and I found out we were expecting our first baby, we were both thrilled and terrified. It wasn’t planned, but it felt like a beautiful surprise. We started imagining our November baby and what life as parents would look like.
But in the early weeks, something felt off. The excitement I expected didn’t come as easily as I thought it would. I distanced myself from the thought of being pregnant, wondering if it was simply too early to bond or if hormones were clouding my emotions. I assumed that in time, I would find joy, and I would experience the “pregnancy glow”.
As Thanksgiving neared, we planned to visit my parents and share our news—but then I began spotting. At first, it seemed minor, but the worry grew each day. My OBGYN ordered an HCG test, and while the results weren’t alarming, travel and the holiday delayed a follow-up. Deep down, I knew something wasn’t right.
During our trip, I shared our pregnancy with family—but I added, “I may be having a miscarriage.” Excitement was overshadowed by fear. Thanksgiving felt surreal, a blur of hope and dread.
Once we returned home, we scheduled an ultrasound. Sitting in the parking lot beforehand, a lump in my throat, I braced for the worst. The ultrasound confirmed my deepest fear: our baby had stopped developing at just six weeks and five days. There was no heartbeat.
There’s no way to prepare for the silence that fills the room when you expect to hear a heartbeat. People tell you miscarriage is common—that one in five pregnancies ends this way—but when it’s yours, it’s not a statistic. It’s your baby.
The grief was heavy. Yet amid the heartbreak, I felt an unexpected peace—God’s quiet reminder that even in loss, we are not abandoned. Two months later, we found out we were pregnant again. This time, every ultrasound, every milestone, carried the memory of what we’d lost.
At the next ultrasound, I held my breath. And then—there it was—a strong heartbeat. Our baby was alive. The due date? November 3rd, almost exactly a year from our loss—a perfect reminder of God’s faithfulness. Our daughter Charlee was born almost exactly one year after our miscarriage. Her life is a tangible reminder of God’s faithfulness—proof that joy can grow from sorrow.
Today, our daughter Charlee is seven years old, her life a tangible reminder of God’s faithfulness, proof that joy can grow from sorrow. Looking back, I sometimes wonder how we endured the grief, yet I know we were never alone and that God was with us.
Now, through my work with Save the Storks, I’ve met women walking through that same ache. Their stories remind me that hope is not the absence of pain but the courage to believe that love still has the final word.
If you’ve experienced pregnancy loss, you are not alone. There is grace for the grieving, and community for the healing.”
Resources for Pregnancy Loss
If you’re looking for support, In His Hands
provides a bank of resources for women who experience early pregnancy loss. From grief counseling to support groups and curated literature, they ensure that no woman has to navigate the pain of miscarriage alone. The nonprofit offers a connection point—a way to feel seen, heard, and comforted.
At Save the Storks, we’re committed to helping women find hope through every part of their journey, from pregnancy to healing after loss. Your support makes that possible. Give today
to help women receive the care they deserve.
