The journey to Maya began after years of infertility, failed IUI’s, a diagnosis of adenomyosis and transition to reciprocal IVF that successfully resulted in Maya’s big brother. As medical professionals, we utilized every available measure and research-supported treatment to ensure a successful outcome. Reciprocal IVF for donor egg (Bella’s egg) and donor sperm, ICSI, PGT-A , genetic screening, a programmed cycle… From the day of conception with knew that our perfect euploid, 5AA embryo had all the odds in her favor. And Maya was thriving. After all the tests, blood work, 3 separate and standard early ultrasounds in the fertility clinic; we graduated to our OB, and had another ultrasound. Maya was perfect. Into our second trimester, we were in no way prepared for what was to come.

The day that Maya died, Tina was en route to her 16-week check up and started bleeding. After an exam and ultrasound, it was deemed that Maya was perfect and thriving, her heart beat 144. Tina was reassured that Maya was fine, and while they did not know the source of the bleeding, they were comfortable to have her sent home, awaiting a diagnostic ultrasound the next the morning. We did not make it to the next morning. That night, in the middle of a global pandemic, Tina began to pass blood clots the size of tennis balls, and we were advised to head for the emergency room. We loaded Maya’s brother—2.5 at the time—in the car and rushed Tina to the hospital, only to have Bella stopped at the door due to hospital restrictions prohibiting Maya’s brother from entering. While Tina delivered Maya at 16 weeks in the emergency room and rushed into emergent surgery as she began to hemorrhage due to a retained placenta, Bella and Maya’s brother sat in the parking lot 100ft away with the knowledge that Maya was gone, and that Tina was fighting for her life.

A night that turned our world upside down, highlighted the imperfections in our healthcare system and the limitations of modern medicine. We had a team of incredible doctors and genuine human beings. And Maya died anyway. The experts in the room did not expect this outcome, nor had the means to detect this outcome. We utilized every tool available to us to prevent this outcome, and it was not enough.

And that is not good enough.

We will forever fight to push these limits forward. We are on a mission to change the odds for other families. In honor of our Maya.

Maya grew wings before we were ready, but her grace will fly high, her strength will soar, and with our help she will change the world.

Thank you for allowing us to share our story, and our little angel with you.

❤ Maya’s mommies