Turning Personal Tragedy Into Hope: How One Woman's Loss Led to Support and Comfort for Other Mothers
When profound tragedy struck twice, one woman turned her personal pain from the loss of her unborn children into a source of strength for others.
Danielle Houston, the founder of the Angel Babies Matter Network, understands the devastating pain of losing a child during pregnancy. Originally from New Orleans, Danielle's family relocated to Houston due to Hurricane Katrina, following her mother's footsteps as an educator upon completion of her bachelor's degree. In 2011, Danielle married her husband, Bilal, and two years later, they decided to start a family. What should have been a beautiful chapter for the couple unraveled into the darkest time of their lives when their first child passed away in utero.
"No mom should experience this empty-handed feeling," Danielle expressed, recalling the agony of leaving Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital after losing her first child. After an otherwise normal pregnancy, Danielle and her husband, Bilal, were shocked by the news that their daughter's heart stopped beating while attending a normal six-month checkup. Five days after learning that their daughter was gone, Danielle delivered her baby, Angel, through medical interventions in a separate section of the labor and delivery wing so she wouldn't have to see or hear anything that could trigger her distress.
"While at the hospital, my baby was kept in a freezer and the nurses would bring her to me when I wanted to see and hold her, then they would take her back again for cooling," shared Danielle. Upon sharing the news of the loss with their loved ones, jarring questions like "What happened?" and "What did you do?" surfaced, in addition to suggestions on what Danielle should have done instead to avoid her loss of her baby. "It was a terrible purgatory," said Danielle.
Wrought with grief, her tragic loss led to the decline of her physical and emotional health, forcing Danielle to resign from her job. As part of her journey to healing and recovery, Danielle's own traumatic experiences of infant loss paved the way for what would become the Angel Babies Matter Network, a lifeline for grieving families navigating the loss of a pregnancy or infant.
Creating care packages for other moms who had suffered a similar loss became Danielle's mission, filling a significant void in her life. Each package is a tangible expression of empathy and understanding, containing items like journals, baby quilts, scented candles, picture frames, resources and handwritten notes of care to help mothers commemorate their angels lost too soon.
A care packaged assembled by Angel Babies Matter Network.Then in May 2014, Danielle and her husband, Bilal, welcomed their son, Isaiah. "He was healthy and perfect," recalled Danielle, but the pregnancy wasn't easy. Because of the loss of her first child, Danielle was considered high-risk, requiring monthly visits with a maternal fetal medicine doctor to closely monitor Isaiah's growth in addition to regular visit with her OB/GYN.
Five years later, Danielle and her husband decided to try for another baby, only to experience a second heart-wrenching loss at six months gestation. "We shared the news of my third pregnancy in June 2019 and in October 2019, it was like déjà vu. No heartbeat. I felt numb. I knew what it was like to lose a child and I was still grieving, but I didn't know what it was like to lose two babies, so it was again one of the most saddest days of my life," recalled Danielle.
Seeking counseling for healing, Danielle found support from their church community, family and friends after experiencing the loss of their third baby, Imani. The gestures of flowers, meals, and visits helped validate her pain. Danielle's commitment to supporting mothers like her strengthened, sparking the formation of the Angel Babies Matter Network in 2019, a haven of support for those struggling with pregnancy and infant loss.
"Our vision is a world where mothers of angels do not experience grief and healing in isolation," Danielle shared.
The network collaborates with several hospitals across the Greater Houston Area, including Houston HCA North Cypress ER Hospital, HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball, and Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. These partner hospitals stand at the ready to distribute care packages made by Angel Babies Matter Network, providing much-needed comfort to moms after experiencing a miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.
Danielle Houston, second from right, delivering care packages at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital earlier this month. Angel Babies Matter Network is more than just an organization; it's a movement to promote awareness of the harsh realities of infant mortality. "The statistics are not just numbers but can reach close to home like a sister, cousin, friend, co-worker, or neighbor," Danielle emphasized. In the United States, an astounding 24,000 babies are stillborn each year, while Texas holds a grade D in maternal and infant mortality, indicating a significant need for improvement.
The Network strives to combat these alarming statistics, addressing the disparity in maternal and mental healthcare postpartum, and shedding light on the urgent social issue of maternal and infant mortality. On October 15, 2023, ABMN celebrated National PAIL Awareness month with the Inaugural Moms and Mimosas Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance and Awareness Day Brunch, a sold-out event featuring performances and activities. Attendees, including moms who experienced loss and supporters, learned about ABMN's mission. The event included recognitions from the State House of Representatives and the City of Houston. For Danielle, this is just the beginning of her mission to help other mothers who have experienced infant loss.
Supporting the mission of the Angel Babies Matter Network involves everyone. From volunteering, offering donations, to spreading awareness about the organization's work, individuals can contribute in various ways to this mission. On May 18, Angel Babies Matter Network will be walking with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to raise awareness for the mental health and resources made available to moms after pregnancy and infant loss. To register, visit the event website. Learn more about Angel Babies Matter Network through their website or social media platforms to start making a difference in the lives of grieving families.
In the face of tragedy, Danielle Houston's determination and compassion have illuminated a path for others in their darkest hours. Join Danielle in ensuring that no mother experiences the profound pain of infant loss in isolation.
 |
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
|
