National Sons Day

National Sons Day is celebrated September 28 every year to honor the young men and boys across the world. It’s a day to cherish sons by spending quality time and showing them support, encouragement, and love. We want to recognize all sons today and especially those miracle babies that we first met as little embryos in the petri dish. It's our greatest honor to play a part in helping our patients build their families. The Thatcher family shares the story of their son, Brexton.

The Thatcher Family

After facing infertility following their first son, Zayden, Shelbie and Dallin Thatcher are thrilled to welcome new baby, Brexton into their family. Shelbie comments:

“Tired. Grateful. Happy. Captivated. Delirious. In love. And completely in awe. Worth every single tear, medication and ounce of heartache it took to get you here. You are perfect, my little miracle man.”

Dealing with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Previous to the arrival of Brexton, Shelbie and Dallin dealt with three miscarriages. Clinically recognized pregnancy loss is common, occurring in approximately 15–25% of pregnancies. Yet, it is rarely discussed openly.

“Miscarriage is not talked about enough. I feel like most people don’t understand how incredibly hard it is,” Shelbie shares. “I realized the other day that all together, with my three angel babes and Brexton combined, I have been pregnant for 40 weeks - the length of a normal pregnancy.” Shelbie writes on the day she experiences her most recent miscarriage:

“I feel like a broken record repeating the same bad news - the same nightmare - over and over again. Quite literally, broken. Our family experienced yet another loss today as we sent another angel baby to live in heaven. We didn’t get near as long to celebrate this precious baby’s life and that is breaking my heart; however, in the short time we did have, this momma’s heart held on. I loved this baby with every ounce of my soul and my heart knew this baby. It doesn’t matter how early or how late my babies have left, this loss still hurts like crazy.”

Empowering Women Through Her Story

Expressing grief and other emotions, and connecting with others who have had similar losses, are some of the ways women use the photo-sharing platform Instagram to cope with a miscarriage, researchers say. Shelbie uses her voice to share her journey of loss and hope. On Instagram, Shelbie (@shelbie.thatcher) talks freely about her journey and opens up the conversation to her followers by conducting a Q&A.

“I have talked countless women through miscarriage and I have spoken nothing but hope to them. My story has turned into one of loss and hope. I have shared the good and the bad. I will not stop now. I don’t share our story to get sympathy. Instead, I continue to share our story because as crappy as it is, it has and it will continue to help others.”