Sonia’s Holding Time story weaves together joy, resilience and grief. A mother of multiple children, Sonia reflects on both positive home births and the devastating loss of a baby at 29 weeks due to hydrops. Her account includes donating milk after stillbirth, showing how even in grief, breastfeeding and milk expression can provide comfort and a sense of purpose. Sonia also discusses medical advice, cultural practices and the role of midwives in shaping her feeding decisions. Her story highlights the importance of sensitive, informed care and the need for space to process both the joys and sorrows of motherhood. By sharing her experiences, Sonia gives voice to the hidden narratives of loss and demonstrates how breastfeeding can be part of both healing and legacy.
Poem
Transcript
At the twelve-week scan, we knew something wasn’t right. It was during COVID. We had a CVS, blood work, and by eighteen or nineteen weeks we had the results.
He had a condition called hydrops — fluid overload. He either wouldn’t survive in the womb or wouldn’t survive long after birth.
So we knew we were going to lose him….