In a heartfelt act of generosity, Wisconsin resident Laura Mitchell made the decision to donate 500 ounces of breast milk after the tragic passing of her son, Jacob. During her pregnancy with Jacob, Laura was filled with anticipation about breastfeeding once again. “I had a deep desire to be successful in breastfeeding,” she expressed in a Facebook post on November 13. However, her joy turned to sorrow when she learned in July that Jacob had been diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder known as Trisomy 18, or Edwards syndrome. Sadly, Jacob passed away in September, which led Laura to channel her grief into a mission to support other infants in need.
“I couldn’t save Jacob’s life, but perhaps I could help save another baby’s life,” Laura shared. Following her son’s death, she dedicated herself to pumping breast milk for 63 days, ultimately donating 500 ounces to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) milk banks. Remarkably, her final donation coincided with Jacob’s due date on November 13. “Walking through the hospital corridors was a significant step in my healing process,” she reflected. “I felt Jacob with me during that time.”
The Diagnosis and Its Impact
At 20 weeks into her pregnancy, Laura received the devastating news regarding Jacob’s diagnosis, in which an additional chromosome 18 disrupts normal fetal development—often leading to life-threatening complications. The Trisomy 18 Foundation notes that this chromosomal error occurs in roughly one in every 2,500 pregnancies in the United States and one in 6,000 live births. “It was a life-altering moment, not knowing what our future held or if we would ever meet our baby,” Laura recounted in an interview.
Challenges of Breast Milk Donation
Before Jacob’s death, Laura had resolved to donate her breast milk, aiming to produce 1,000 ounces by his due date, but she faced challenges in milk production. “Pumping is incredibly tough, both mentally and physically, especially when you don’t have a baby to feed,” she admitted. “There were moments of frustration when I questioned why I was going through this when my baby was not here. But at the same time, it felt like the only connection I had with Jacob on this side of life. I hope he’s proud of me!”
Raising Awareness and Honoring Jacob’s Legacy
Laura decided to share her story to raise awareness about Trisomy 18 and educate the public. “Although the attention has been overwhelming, I appreciate how the media is focusing on Trisomy 18,” she stated. “This isn’t just my journey; it’s Jacob’s journey.” To honor her son’s legacy, Laura has also started selling merchandise through her nonprofit organization, Smiles for Jacob.
Resources for Pregnancy Loss and Support
For more on issues surrounding pregnancy loss and awareness, you can read about it in our other blog post here. Additionally, for those navigating similar challenges, this link offers valuable resources. Furthermore, this resource is excellent for pregnancy and home insemination support.
Conclusion
In summary, Laura Mitchell’s story of resilience in the face of tragedy highlights the profound impact of sharing one’s journey to help others. Through her breast milk donation, she not only honored her son’s memory but also provided nourishment to vulnerable infants, thereby transforming her grief into a legacy of hope.
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