Julia Grayce Acuna 12.4.16
Julia Grayce was born on December 4, 2016. She weighed 8.6 lbs, was 21 inches long, and had a full head of black hair. We were anxiously awaiting her arrival, excited to look into her beautiful eyes, tell her we love her, and welcome her into our family. Tragically, we never had the chance to gaze into Julia’s eyes because she died during labor and delivery due to a uterine rupture during a trial of labor after C-section.
In the short 10 months that we had with Julia during pregnancy, we learned about her personality. She was going to be our pretty, pretty princess, and that she was! She was quiet, shy, graceful, and a natural gymnast. At every ultrasound appointment Julia’s feet were up in the air, touching her face. She danced in the womb whenever her mother, Sarah, ate anything sweet; chocolate and ginger-ale were her favorites.
One thing we know for sure is that Julia was a fighter. She fought for 2 hours to live while her mother pushed during labor and delivery. Her heart rate continued to go down, but she recovered time and time again. Despite the multiple signs of a uterine rupture, including a drop in blood pressure, bleeding, abdominal pain (even with an epidural), vomiting, and an inconsistent fetal heart rate, it was not until the medical professionals could no longer find Julia’s pulse that Sarah was rushed to emergency surgery. While Julia’s last heartbeat saved her mother’s life, her death was absolutely preventable. She should have been saved based on the many warning signs and complications.
When we came home from the hospital without Julia in our arms, her brother had many questions that we could not find the words to answer or even comprehend ourselves. Julia’s grandfather came up with a beautiful way to explain this incomprehensible tragedy to his 2½-year-old grandson. He told him that Julia is an angel who lives on the moon and that we can always say Hi to her in the night sky. Since that day, we have spent many nights gazing at the moon, feeling Julia’s presence illuminate the sky.
Our daughter is a warrior. We will fight for Julia, other mothers, and babies for the rest of our lives to ensure this tragedy does not happen to another family.
Julia’s radiance, beauty, peace, and light continue to shine brightly and touch our hearts.
