In a heartbreaking announcement on his Facebook page, celebrity chef and television host Gordon Ramsay shared the loss of his son through miscarriage.
In the 36 hours after he shared the news, over 12,000 people offered their sympathies to the couple. Many people shared their own stories of second trimester miscarriage and offered support for the grieving parents.
Miscarriage is a topic that is rarely discussed out in the open. Despite how common it is — up to 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage — most parents who suffer the loss of their preborn child often keep that loss to themselves, and feel alone in their suffering. If they do share the life and loss of their child, some well-meaning friends and family will advise these parents to just have another baby. But another baby could never replace the child they lost.
In the age of the internet and social media, miscarriage is finally becoming less of a taboo subject, with everyone from Mark Zuckerburg to Pink opening up about the loss of their preborn children. Talking about the loss can help parents through the grieving process and make the life of their child more real. Many mothers have reached out to Live Action to share the lives of their miscarried children in order to show the humanity that exists inside the womb.
Annabelle at 8 weeks, 5 days
This humanity is clearly seen in photos of Riley and Annabelle Danison, children of Mindy Danison. These babies were lost to miscarriage at 7 and 8 weeks gestation, and they were just as much her children – and human beings – as any of Danison’s born children. The photos of them prove that.
Baby Walter Fretz, miscarried at 19 weeks
Walter Fretz (pictured right) was born prematurely at 19 weeks. He lived for only a few moments outside of the womb, but his legacy lives on. Women who have seen his pictures have changed their minds about aborting their own babies, something which makes his mother proud.
Babies lost through miscarriage deserve to be remembered and honored. Sharing these images gives a deep purpose to the lives of these parents’ preborn children because hearts and minds have been changed from pro-abortion to pro-life thanks to these babies and the willingness of their parents to share them with the world. If a friend shares with you the loss of a preborn child, acknowledge that child’s life and join the parents in their grief.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ramsay family during this difficult time.
