When Wendy Cruz-Chan lost her precious baby boy Killian at 19 weeks to a rare infection, she didn’t just mourn in peace – no instead she decided to do something positive for other babies out there who had made it safely into the world.
Wendy told Breastfeeding World that she had breastfed her first child Ariya, everywhere she went: "In church, parks, trains, restaurants, airplanes- anywhere in public, whenever Ariya was hungry."
Then, five years later she was pregnant again, and intended to do the same when her son came into the world, but she then contracted the Haemophilus influenza infection, which shockingly spread to her uterus.
In enormous pain, she headed to hospital, where she was told that the doctors were going to have to induce labour in order to save her life. Killian was eventually born after a painful labour. "I was in shock when I saw him," Wendy said. "Killian’s body was long and defined, his eyes were still sealed shut. He looked like he went through a battle."
The grieving parents then only had a short period of time to visit with their deceased baby before he was taken away.
When she got home she had plenty of breastmilk, so she made the brave decision to pump the milk, and donate it to babies who needed it - and she pumped for three months, an exhausting process which took hours out of her day. But all her hard work produced close to an enormous 60 litres of milk, over a three-month period.
Wendy has now set up a crowdfunding page at You Caring to raise money for a "cuddle cot" for the hospital where she gave birth to Killian, New York Methodist Hospital so other parents can have longer to say goodbye.
She explained the need for cuddle cots to her followers: "The worst news my husband John and I ever got was, ‘We have to induce you to birth your son who will not live in order to save your uterus and your life,’" she shared. Then it just made things worse that they could only hold their son for a maximum of two hours before his body would begin to visibly decompose in the warm room temperature.
"During that short time, I tried to focus, remembering every details while drugged up with medications. We took pictures, held him, and said our goodbyes to Killian when we just met him."
It was afterwards that Wendy found our about cuddle cots, which are cots with cooling devices so that the bodies of deceased infants can stay with their grieving parents for a longer period of time, to help the healing process.
The page had raised over $2796 of the $3,700 goal as of today, Wednesday morning. Any additional money will be used to help buy Cuddle Cots for other New York City hospitals.
Now, Wendy is focusing on healing her body to prepare for another pregnancy, telling her wellwishers that she was tired but very happy.
She posted: "My breasts is finally reducing my milk supply from 8oz a pumping session to 2 oz a session. It's bittersweet that it is coming to an end… I feel touched by everyone's kindness, love, support, comments, and messages. It's almost overwhelming.
"But I'm thank God that I'm able to inspire and educate others through my stillbirth journey… Being a stillbirth mother is not the type of club I would like to be a part of, but I can't give up on what I already have and pray for the best. Thank you all for everything!"
Wendy we salute you and your bravery, and wish you all the best for the future!
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