Liam's Story Liam Montgomery Abney was conceived on February 13, 1999. One day before Valentine's Day. Three weeks later, a pregnancy test confirmed it: there was a beautiful, living baby inside of me. My husband, James, and I were not yet married, but had been together for almost four years. When I told him, he was at first shocked, but soon grew to love our child. Every day he would sing to him or kiss my slowly growing belly. It was the most touching thing I had ever seen. I knew our baby was loved.
One of our favorite activites became looking at baby clothes and toys. Every time we saw a baby, it brought a smile to our faces. We were so excited about bringing little Liam into the world. Everything started out well. I gained a little weight, had a few bouts of morning and evening sickness, and was eagerly anticiapting our first meeing with our midwife. However, two days before our appointment, I began to have cramping and some bleeding. I had this awful sinking feeling. I thought to myself, "This can't be happening." James rushed me to the ER, where we had to wait forever for anyone to see us. The doctors and nurses didn't seem too worried, so I began to relax. After a few routine tests and questions, they did a doppler to see if they could hear a heartbeat. Nothing. However, it was not unusual at this stage of pregnancy (exactly twelve weeks). Then they did an ultrasound. I saw Liam's tiny little body, so perfect and sweet, but still no heartbeat. I began to worry. Something was not right. Then the final test. A vaginal ultrasound confirmed my worst fears. No heartbeat. Our baby had died.
That night, I went home to wait to miscarry. James and I just held each other all night. I don't know how we got through that first night. The worst was yet to come, however. The next evening, it happened. However, the bleeding was a lot more than I expected, and I went to the hospital again. I had already lost the baby by the time I arrived, and most of it was over. But the doctors wanted to monitor me and gave me an injection to slow the bleeding. It was the hardest thing in the world to feel my child inside of me dying and knowing that there was nothing I could do. By the time it was over, I had lost a lot of blood and had to stay the night in the hospital, hooked up to an IV, instead of holding my baby in my arms. I felt so empty inside.
He was our wonderful little miracle. And in an instant he was gone. I will never see his face, know his voice, or kiss him goodnight. Without the support of God, my friends and my family, I don't think I could bear it. However, I know that Liam is with Jesus now in heaven and he will never have to feel pain or sorrow and will be happier and loved there more than he ever could have been here. God had a special purpose for my son, and it comforts me to know that he is safe in God's hands. Liam, although we never held you in our arms, we will never forget you. You are our darling little angel and you will always live in our hearts. Join Liam's Webring! Just click here. Or click here to visit the webrings I belong to.
If you have any questions or would like more information
please e-mail me at liamsmommy@hotmail.com
All material copyrighted by Aja Abney unless otherwise stated herein. Some original images by Anne Geddes.
You are listening to "Baby of Mine" from Disney's "Dumbo."
