Susie's Story

Much to our surprise, on April 27, 2004, we discovered that we were pregnant. After the initial shock wore off, we were excited and began preparations. It was a good pregnancy, with little morning sickness. When we reached the half-way point, we were eager to find out the gender of our baby. The baby had other ideas and had his/her legs crossed.

At 28 weeks, pre-term labor began, and we spent 3 days in the hospital trying to convince the baby it wasn't time yet. Finally, at 30 weeks, we discovered our baby was a girl! She quickly became "Daddy's Little Girl." We chose the name Susannah Mariah, after her paternal grandmother (Susan) and her maternal great-grandmother (Mary).

As the time drew closer to our due date, we discovered that Susie was in breech position and our doctor recommended turning her in utero. On Friday, December 3, we had an ultrasound to confirm that she was still breech. Nothing seemed amiss. However, when we went back into the doctor's on Monday, December 6, we couldn't find her heartbeat. Our nurse midwife eventually confirmed that there was no longer a heartbeat, although we knew nothing else at the time.

We decided to deliver her that day. On Monday, December 6, 2004, at 3:27 pm, Susannah Mariah Underwood was stillborn. The doctor determined the cause was a cord accident. She weighed 5 lbs. 12 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long.

The process of grief has been at times overwhelming. We are constantly amazed how our lives have been utterly changed by a baby that we never brought home. She went directly to her heavenly Father's home, and we rejoice in that. We look forward to seeing her again in heaven someday.