[C_arol]

I was thrilled to find out I was pregnant and thought if I just continued my healthy lifestyle habits that my baby would be healthy too. I ate all the “right” foods and exercised regularly.

I didn’t find out until later in my pregnancy that I should have been taking multivitamins with folic acid before I ever considered getting pregnant. After a full nine months and four days of carrying on with what I thought was a healthy pregnancy, my son Joshua was born with anencephaly.

He died hours after birth from this fatal defect.

Any parent who has ever lost a child can understand the grief and devastation that followed. However, knowing that the loss might have been prevented is simply indescribable. Had I heard of folic acid and its importance in preventing this birth defect, my husband and I might have been spared the outcome and the ongoing grief and guilt.

In memory of my son, I am taking the occasion to share my story in hopes that young women are made aware of a simple vitamin that may ultimately save a life.

[Shauna]

Thank you for sharing your story and encouraging women to take folic acid before they get pregnant.