Beth and Andrew DiMarco were excited to learn they’d be welcoming their first child in 2019. At 8 weeks, Beth had a successful ultrasound at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital.
“But a couple of weeks later, I started spotting,” explained Beth. “When I went to see my doctor, we found out the baby had no heartbeat.”
After their loss, Beth and Andrew met Jessica Kincaid, the Share perinatal support services coordinator at Advocate Good Samaritan. Share is a national organization that provides services locally for families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss.
“Jessica was so kind, supportive and empathetic. Very few people know what to say after someone experiences pregnancy loss, but she always knows the right thing to say.”
Through Jessica, Beth and Andrew learned about the hospital’s pregnancy loss support groups, remembrance services and events.
“We participated in several meetings, along with a remembrance service around the holidays. We also attended a walk to remember,” said Beth. “It was wonderful to meet other families who understood what we were going through.”
Beth became pregnant again the following year. Everything was progressing normally until 34 weeks.
“I started throwing up, which made me nervous. We went to the hospital, where they kept me overnight to monitor the baby’s heart rate. Then my water broke, and the baby’s heart was in distress, so I had an emergency C-section the following day.”
Their daughter, Catie, weighed just over 4 pounds when she was born on September 16, 2020. She spent 30 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) so she could gain weight and learn to eat.
“Our time in the NICU was relatively stress-free,” said Beth. “Catie was out of the woods after about five days, which made it much easier for us. And our nurses were amazing. They made me feel better about leaving her each night because I knew she was in excellent hands.”
Advocate Good Samaritan also has support services for families in the NICU that are run by Share, including opportunities for parents to interact and support each other. Andrew and Beth found additional help by attending those meetings.
“We appreciated having so many options in terms of care. Not only did our daughter get exceptional medical care while she was in the NICU, but we also felt cared for through the support group.”
Last June, Beth got pregnant for the third time. Their son had been progressing well and measuring normally until 29 weeks.
“It was the day after Christmas. We were visiting family out of town, and the baby wasn’t moving. We went to my mother-in-law’s hospital, and the doctor couldn’t find a heartbeat.”
Beth was induced and delivered their stillborn son, Michael, on Dec. 27, 2022.
“It was a devastating loss, but in hindsight, it was easier to be at a hospital we’ll never have to visit again,” shared Beth. “When we got home, I reached out to Jessica to let her know we wanted to get back to the support group to help us cope with our grief.”
The hospital hosts an annual Walk for Remembrance where parents can recognize the lives of the precious children they have lost.
“We’ve told Catie, who turns 3 this fall, about baby Michael, and she knows he lives in heaven with Jesus, but that’s about as much as she understands. We brought her on the last remembrance walk, and it was nice being there as a family to honor our babies.”
How you can help
The NICU program at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital is supported, in part, by philanthropy. Share Perinatal Support Services is 100% funded by charitable donations and would not exist without the continued support of generous donors.
“Without Share, the grieving process would have been much more difficult. Losing a baby before they’re born – and before you know them – is a unique loss. Talking to people who truly understand makes a huge difference.”
To help families like the DiMarcos, please make a gift today.