3 weeks ago
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Warning: Distressing content
San Francisco 49ers star Trent Williams and his wife Sondra have revealed their son was stillborn at 35 weeks, after his twin died early in the pregnancy.
The NFL offensive tackle and his wife said the November 24 loss of their son, who had been diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, has been “extremely hard to process”.
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WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Sonda Williams shares the news that their son was stillborn.
Sondra posted a video to Instagram showing footage taken at the hospital before and after the birth.
“My forever angel, Trenton O’Brien Williams Jr, it’s been extremely hard trying to process the saddest hello and goodbye I’ve ever had to endure,” she wrote, saying he was born at 11.38pm — lifeless, but weighing 2.1kg and 47cm long.
“At only 35 weeks, your impactful and quick arrival didn’t even give mummy time to get an epidural.
“I’m so grateful to have had your Aunt Katina (who also cut your cord) and nurse Hannah by my side.”
Trent Williams of the San Francisco 49ers. Credit: Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
Trent and Sondra Williams are grieving the loss of their son Trenton Jr. Credit: sondrawilliams/InstagramSondra wrote she had tried to prepare herself for her meeting her son, who had been diagnosed with the rare genetic condition trisomy 13.
The diagnosis came the same time as the couple lost Trenton’s twin.
Trisomy 13 occurs when a baby has three copies of chromosome 13 instead of the usual two — only half of babies born with the condition live past two weeks and less than 10 per cent survive the first year.
“I prayed and hoped that your diagnosis of trisomy 13 wasn’t true and wouldn’t be the fate of my long-awaited beautiful son-shine,” she said.
“My firstborn and only son, I’ve always wanted you, but God wanted and needed you more.
“Knowing you are in heaven with your great-aunt Vivian and that you will always be our guardian angel brings me great comfort in the midst of all this sorrow.”
Trent and Sondra Williams with their son. Credit: sondrawilliams/Instagram“My heart is heavy.
“Being home without you in my arms has been quite an adjustment. Knowing I will never be able to watch you grow older alongside your sisters has my eyes filled with tears.”
The couple are also parents to daughters, Micah, 15, MaKayla, 11, and Madison, 2.
“I can’t even begin to describe how I felt leaving the hospital without you,” Sondra continued.
“Nor how it feels being home celebrating Thanksgiving without my baby in my arms.
“My heart is broken and my arms are empty. But I know you’ll always be near watching over me and your sisters. And for that, my heart smiles with gratitude.
“Thank God for allowing us to bond for 35 weeks and for me to birth you so I could hold you in my arms.
“I’m at peace knowing you will never have to suffer.
“Although I will never hear your soft coos and cries or see those beautiful little eyes staring up at me, I am grateful to God for the time I shared with you.
Sondra Williams smiles with her children. Credit: sondrawilliams/Instagram“Madison loved listening to your heartbeat and watching your waves of movement in my tummy.
“Trenton O’Brien Williams Jr, my sweet baby boy, we love you our forever angel.”
The post was flooded with messages of support and love.
According to Red Nose, one baby is stillborn every four hours in Australia.
The Red Nose Grief and Loss Support Line is available 24/7 for anyone affected by the loss of a pregnancy, stillbirth or death of a baby or child on 1300 308 307 — or visit the Miscarriage Australia website for additional resources.
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