Emilia Madeleine Rose Clough
March 15, 2017
Emilia with her mommy and daddy. “Some people only dream of Angels, we held one in our arms”
A Joyful Beginning
In the late summer of 2016, our hearts were filled with joy as we learned that our family would soon be growing by two little feet. Our three-year-old daughter was about to become a big sister, and together we dreamed of the wonderful memories we would soon create as a family of four.
As the months passed, our excitement only grew. Each doctor’s appointment brought reassurance – our baby girl was developing perfectly, and the pregnancy was progressing just as it should. We eagerly awaited April 2017, when we would finally meet her.
The Night Everything Changed
On the evening of March 14, everything changed. It had been more than 24 hours since I had last felt Emilia move. Growing increasingly worried, we decided to go to the hospital for a fetal non-stress test.
When the nurse began monitoring, it took a long time to locate a heartbeat. Relief washed over us when we finally heard a steady rhythm – but soon, doubt crept in. The nurse wasn’t sure whether the heartbeat we heard was Emilia’s or mine. She switched to a Doppler, but again, there was only silence.
Our obstetrician arrived shortly after and confirmed through ultrasound that Emilia no longer had a heartbeat. Our beautiful baby girl had died.
Searching for Answers
We were offered an autopsy, though we were told it might not provide clear answers. Like many stillbirths, Emilia’s cause of death would likely remain unknown. We declined a full autopsy but agreed to provide blood samples, as well as her placenta and umbilical cord, for testing.
When the results returned, there were no abnormalities. However, our delivery nurses had observed an infarct on her umbilical cord during delivery – a possible kink that may have interrupted blood flow and oxygen supply.
Nearly a year later, we learned that the pathology report showed signs of Funisitis, an inflammation of the umbilical cord’s connective tissue. It is believed this inflammation may have contributed to a cord compression, though the cause of the Funisitis itself remains unknown.
Meeting Emilia
On March 15, 2017, at 7:51 am, we welcomed Emilia Madeleine Rose Clough into our arms at NKC Health in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born still at 33 weeks gestation, weighing 4 pounds, 3 ounces and measuring 18½ inches long. She was delivered by Dr. Raschelle Schowengerdt and born to her loving parents, Daniel and Charmel Clough, and her big sister, Adelaide.
Emilia was nothing short of beautiful – with a full head of red hair, long feet and fingers, and the perfect features of our little girl. Holding her, kissing her, and memorizing every detail of her face was a gift beyond words – one that nothing will ever surpass.
Her Everlasting Light
Emilia’s time on earth was brief, but her impact is everlasting. Her life continues to shine through the love she inspired and the work carried out in her memory. We carry both the ache of her absence and the joy of having known her.
Emilia Madeleine Rose, our hearts broke saying hello and goodbye to you all in one day – but we would endure that pain a thousand times over just to have you as our daughter.
We love you, and we will miss you forever.
“How quietly you tiptoed into our world, almost silently, only for a moment you stayed…
but what an imprint your footprints have left upon our hearts.”