stillbirth

On May 17, On Angels’ Wings hosted its first-ever Spa Day for recipient mothers in the St. Louis service area, creating a space for women navigating infant loss or the ongoing care of medically fragile children to rest, connect, and receive support from their community. Founded in Springfield, On Angels’ Wings has hosted annual spa…

On May 16, 2026, On Angels’ Wings hosted its 6th Annual Spa Day for recipient mothers in the Springfield area, bringing together local businesses and service providers to offer a free day of pampering, relaxation, and emotional support for mothers who have experienced infant loss or are caring for medically fragile children.

By Haley & Brice WiggsParents to Izzy Lynn CatherineAnencephalyAugust 23, 2025 Our journey to get pregnant was not easy. We are only able to get pregnant through IVF, and this pregnancy was our second IVF baby. We found out about Izzy Lynn’s diagnosis of anencephaly at our anatomy scan. Because we were an IVF pregnancy,…

Acknowledging what has happened is such a significant part of processing trauma. What OAW provides is a tangible way to acknowledge both the loss and the love. Giving families something real to hold onto—especially when everything else feels shattered—is something that cannot be replaced.

We continue to keep Elizabeth’s memory alive every day. The pictures from the hospital hang on our wall. Every time we see a rainbow, we say that’s Elizabeth looking down on us. We talk about her often—when we try something new or reach a milestone, we include her in the conversation.

It’s hard to imagine a life without the perspective and hope that stillbirth has brought me. And it’s even harder to imagine a life where I never got to love my son — even if it was only for a moment.

There’s always a feeling that something — or someone — is missing. Sometimes it hits like a wave. Other times it’s more subtle, like that nagging sense of “I’m forgetting something.” But I’m not. I’m remembering someone: my son.

Nothing else can even come close to the support On Angels’ Wings has given us. They continuously check on us and keep our kids’ memories alive. Their organization and support mean everything to me. I’ve made lifelong friendships with people who truly care and understand what I’ve been through.

Learn more about what stillbirth is, why stillbirth still occurs, and stillbirth risks to help educate yourself and others about this difficult-to-talk-about topic. 

While it feels so unfair, we also know it’s not something we will fully understand on this side of Heaven. What we do know is that Anna Jess will always be part of our family. She will always be our daughter and the sister to her siblings—three living and one in Heaven. One day, we’ll…