Gentle mom does everything 'right' and still loses her baby boy

I can't keep the tears from flowing today for a beautiful new momma who worked so very hard to bring her son peacefully into this world, and provide the absolute best for him during each and every moment of his brief seven days of life on this earth.

Right from the beginning, April diligently researched all aspects of motherhood - pregnancy, birth, and baby care - to be certain she was making the very best choices for her child at every step of the way. With each decision, throughout the course of her baby's growth both inside and out, April made choices that fully supported an optimal wellbeing for her beautiful new baby boy. Her friend, Kristen, says that, "Everything she ate, drank, thought, and breathed was to make her son happy and healthy." April was prepared for motherhood better than most ever hope to be, and was destined to be an amazing mom to this new little life.


April gently birthed her baby boy, Fox, into this world on October 20th. She announced his arrival, "Happy birthday little Fox Elijah King!" while she nursed him, held him close to her heart, and fought off knife-happy Minnesota hospital staff to keep him intact. She told friends that Fox "nursed like crazy for an hour at least" and he truly was blessed with the most loving start in life.

Fox's father, Morgan, was a solid foundation of support to April, encouraging her through labor and birth, and being a very present, gentle Dad to his new son.


Both of their world's came crashing down when, late last week, Fox simply did not wake up from his peaceful slumber. This is a case we rarely witness - one where everything was done 'right' - where a baby had it all - a peaceful and healthy pregnancy, birth, and post-partum period, but did not survive. For seemingly no reason at all. Fox received the utmost primal parenting care, had nothing toxic put into his body, nothing traumatic happen to him, no reason whatsoever to leave so suddenly. And yet, he did.

I cannot imagine the pain of wanting something so badly, preparing for it so heartily, loving so deeply, and losing it all without warning, without reason. And after you did everything you could to prevent such a thing. I wish this was a wound I could heal. With an ache in my heart for her loss, and as powerless as I am in this situation, I simply must do something to help April through this battle.

An additional burden placed on parents who lose a baby or child is the horrendous amount of money it takes to provide a loved little one with a funeral and burial to say goodbye to your baby. April is not in a position of great means, and this has especially taxed her in an already hard time. According to the U.S. Funeral Directors, the average cost of a funeral is $5,000 minimum. But we can do something to provide at least a small amount of reprieve to April so that she may start in healing.

April is someone who all babies would be lucky to call "Mom." If, at some point, she chooses to bring another life into this world, I hope she will find a community of support behind her. Until then, I'd like to honor the amazing gifts she gave to Fox, the depth of her love and protection of him, and the blessings his beautiful little life brought back to those who knew him.

Please, even if you have just pennies in your PayPal account, consider helping April get back on her feet. All donations during the month of November will go to April. It could be in honor of your own child, or simply a gesture of love. Thank you for caring so much for a fellow peaceful parenting momma.


*DEC 30 UPDATE: We'd like to continue to give April a bit more. She is returning to school in Jan 2011, and going to start planning for another baby. If you'd like to help her out, we will pass gifts along to her.

By Mail:

Peaceful Parenting
P.O. Box 1302
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

❃ Gifts for April ❃
(thank you so very much!)

Niki W.
Rachel J.
Dana W.
Ruth T.
Kacy K.
Charlotte B.
Runyan Family
April K.
Wysteria B.
Frances R.
Jenna H.
Kevin C.
John H.
Farrah C.
Stephanie S.
Emily S.
Kate K.
Amy G.
Stacy S.
Annie B.
Wilson H.
Orla S.
Amy B.
Kasi K.
Katie F.
Rachel O.
Nancy H.
Kathleen L.
Rose S.
Dan M.
Kathryn K.
Eddy Family
Ancient Art Midwifery Institute
Melvin T.
Sheila G.
Jessica M.
Somers Family
Kole M.
Svetlana S.
Jami M.
Mark W.
Catherine D.
MaryJo R.
Quincy B.
Teresa N.
Rachel A.
Amy G.
Lorel L.
Barbara M.
Lauren E.
Leah G.
Gwynn P.
Amanda S.
Kim C.
Amy L.
Freya B.
Kelli B.
Tara D.
Bonnie D.
Shivaya N.
Lori S.
Felicia S.
Lisa S.
David S.
Yvonne H.
Amy F.
Liliana B.
Kelly W.
Melissa C.
Sarah K.
Dina M.
 Frédérique H.
Ashley L.
Ashley V.
Pacha
Marlyn M.
Jaclyn S.
Susan W.
Stephanie D.
Kathryn G.
Summer K.
Alyson R.
Caroline B.
Catherine F.
Stella O.
Julie A.

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