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2 NEWS = Continued from page 3 Brittney recently found- F ed the Halton H Hills Frog 2 nancy = group: (rally, wihich held its first event earlier this # shared their lived experi- ence of loss. The group is also collab- orating with the Town of Halton Hills to create afu- ture memorial space in Ce- darvale Park, which Britt- ney said is envisioned as a memorial garden with plaques inscribed with ba- bies' names for local be- reaved families. “T find it really healing to see Baylor's name in places she said. "So I thought if: it's healing for me, it must be healing for others as well.” With October being Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, the Che family is sharing their chal- lenging journey to parent- hood and Baylor's story to let others know they're not alone “its unfortunately in- you're going through,” said Brittney. The ‘vocal couple mar- ried in 2017 and were eager to start a family. Just afew months after tying the knot, they found out Britt- ney was expecting. "We were overjoyed, but we were young al naive about pregnancy. We obviously thought a posi- tive test means you have a baby. " she said. miscarried a few days later. That was our first taste of the fragility of preg- nancy, and that it's not a eralleing two m carriages, the Ches. wel, comed their son Bentley in- to the world in March 2019 § at full term. By later that £ year, Brittney was preg- 2 nant with Baylor. “We've come to realize that it's not about moving on, but rather moving forward." - Patrick Che While there weren't any red flags in the early stages. of the pregnancy, the lo mother says she started wondering about what was happening with her unborn son after being sent to Sun- nybrook for an ultrasound. re that she learned Baylor di didn'thavea right kidney, and that she was presenting with risk factors for preterm birth. Despite this, Britmey said ire was sent home after be- told her obstetrician would follow up, and that she would be seen again in o weeks for monitoring. “But Baylor was born six days later, at 23 weeks and two days she said. The tiny infant came roaring ne the world at McMaster in Hamilton af- ter Brittney went into pre- mature labour, with things happening so quickly that she gave birth on a stretch- er in the hallway before Pat- rick could arrive to be with her. “The doctors were , elt ing for the NICU te: They put Baylor ina bag te to keep him , then every- one fel silent. You could hear a pin drop,” she re- called. . "kept asking why isn't he crying, is he breath- ing, ishe OK? All ofthe sud- den his arm twitched, and they rushed him away.’ From there, little one pound, six ounce Baylor embarked on his challeng- ing journey in the NICU, where he was diagnose: mw a severe brain bleed a just three days old, which resulted in hydrocephalus (a fluid buildup in his brain). Baylor Che was born prematurely at just one pound, six ounces. Following brain surgery at 26 days old, Brittney said that Baylor did well for a few weeks. "We finally started talk- ing about when he comes he comes home that weeke nd to set up his nursery, and then he died the following Friday." That night, the couple knew mmething was wrong when Baylor spit up — something he had never ore before. When Brittney to his room to take over er her husband, she said the doctor was sitting there, saying he wanted to ob- serve Baylor f for a bit. "Then, things downhill so fast," said Britt ney, recalling that after she was asked to leave the room so that a sterile urine sam- ple could be collected, Bay- lor's blood pressure started ting. lummeting. "The doctor came over and said I should call my husband back to the hospi- tal," she said. "Baylor's bed- side was swarmed with about 20 doctors and nurs- ing to push epi, and I could hear them counting chest compressions. We just sat there, crying." While his heart-rate and blood pressure did come back up, Brittney said Bay- lor's body was purple anc limp. What the Ches heard Be era Brittney Che photo next is every parent's worst nightmare. “The doctor came over and said, 'It's time for us to have a talk.' She said this is going to keep happening until Baylor can't come back anymore," oa an emotional Brittn "So wechose toholdhim. They y put him in my arms and [took his breathing tube out the couple was then al- lowed to have their parents and Bentley come meet Baylor, have him baptized, read a bedtime story to their boys together and give their tiny preemie a bath before saying their final heart-wrenching goodbyes. “Losing a child is not COUPLE HOPES THEIR GROUP WILL HELP OTHERS something that you ever think of as a parent," said Patrick. “Not in a million years did Bri and I ever imagine having to go through this. We've come to realize that it's not about moving on, but rather mov- ing forws The local father said , sharing his story. and aavocating support for pregnancy an net owe noting tes roud wife for foun- bing ae Halton Hills PAIL in Burger th the Town's pm neighbourhood support), said staff have been work- ing with Halton Hills PAIL to make connections with how this grou ue to develop and set the di- rection for future initia- tives," she said. The Ches recently wel- on another baby boy to ir family — a precious addition who'll be sure to grow up hearing about how his brave big brother is leaving a lasting mark on the communi vorfurther ola about Halton Hills PAIL, visit https://bit.ly/38nvg5lo or email haltonhill- spail@gmail.com. STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With miscarriages and infant death impacting many families who often suffer in silence, we wanted to take a closer look at how Halton Hills PAIL and the Che family are raising awareness on this impor- tant issue and supporting others who experience loss.