Chrissy Teigen has shared her heartbreaking experience of losing her third child for the first time.
The model and author published her essay on Medium detailing her loss, and the “utter and complete sadness” she and her husband John Legend felt.
Their child, whom they have named ‘Jack’, had been delivered at 20 weeks due to complications caused by Teigen experiencing partial placental abruption.
“At this point I had already come to terms with what would happen: I would have an epidural and be induced to deliver our 20 week old, a boy that would have never survived in my belly (please excuse these simple terms),” she said in the essay.
Teigen and Legend had announced their pregnancy in August, taking to social media to share how this had been the first time they had naturally conceived.
After a month of bed rest and abnormal bleeding levels, she was rushed to the hospital where the doctors had confirmed the devastating news that her child couldn’t be saved.
“After a couple nights at the hospital, my doctor told me exactly what I knew was coming — it was time to say goodbye. He just wouldn’t survive this, and if it went on any longer, I might not either,” she commented.
In her essay, she had also opened up about the decision to take photos of her moments after Jack had been born and posting them on social media, which critics had scrutinised her for doing when sharing the news.
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) October 1, 2020
“It didn’t make sense to him [John] at the time. But I knew I needed to know of this moment forever, the same way I needed to remember us kissing at the end of the aisle, the same way I needed to remember our tears of joy after Luna and Miles. And I absolutely knew I needed to share this story,” she said.
Teigen has received an outpour of public support for sharing her story of her stillbirth, which is estimated to affect 6.8 per 1000 births in Australia.
Most recently, Hilary Clinton tweeted words of support, citing Teigen’s “bravery and grace” for professing the pain.
Thank you, @chrissyteigen, for your bravery and grace in starting a hard conversation to help other families heal alongside yours. https://t.co/90URE9utjJ
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 28, 2020
Teigen’s willingness to publicly express her grief has been praised by many who hope this can help other women who have given birth to a stillborn child.
She also urged for greater kindness to be shown to other people who may also be feeling their own losses.
“The worst part is knowing there are so many women that won’t get these quiet moments of joy from strangers. I beg you to please share your stories and to please be kind to those pouring their hearts out. Be kind in general, as some won’t pour them out at all,” she said.
