CINCINNATI — Alethia Williams believes too many women suffer in silence. That's why she's sharing the story of her pregnancy losses.
Williams recently lost her son, Donald Ray Williams, just a few weeks before he was supposed to be born.
Williams went to the hospital with pain in her stomach but felt hopeful when she saw Donald’s hand move on the monitor. But a few days later, her hope was gone when an infection took over.
“Everything was ripped back away for me,” Williams said.
Baby Donald was Williams’ second pregnancy loss in nine months. Her husband was the only person allowed in her hospital room due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“You definitely need that third person that thinks clearly because right now our mind was, it was totally clouded … we were so emotionally drained at that moment,” Williams said.
She cried for her mom, but it was her doctor who stepped in to comfort her.
“I see my husband in front of me, and I know he had my right hand … I can remember my left hand just being embraced … it allowed so much comfort that I said, ‘Okay, ready to deliver my child,’” Williams said.
Williams said the hospital’s CuddleCot, which keeps a baby’s body cool and preserved, helped her and her husband say goodbye to Donald.
Since her pregnancy loss, being open and transparent about her experience has been part of her healing process.
“I knew that women suffer so much privately. And it's something that comes in you at that moment and says, ‘Speak,’” Williams said.
Hundreds of messages from women with similar stories have poured in. And although the hurt is still there, Williams said she’s holding onto hope for herself and every woman who has experienced a pregnancy loss.
Williams and her family is helping to raise money to provide the University of Cincinnati Medical Center with more CuddleCots. Click here for more information.
