Donor Mom Krista shares her story
It is an honor to share my journey as a first-time breast milk donor, especially when we weren’t sure our dream of becoming parents would ever come true.
After facing struggles with fertility, loss, and a life-threatening complication during childbirth, we are deeply grateful for our beautiful son, Teddy, born on Christmas Day in 2021. Through heartbreak, we've learned that hope can bloom in the most unexpected places.
Moments after childbirth, I faced a rare and unexpected complication that required a stay in the ICU and multiple emergency surgeries, including being placed on life support. When I awoke, ICU nurses were by my side, and it was there that I had the precious opportunity for skin-to-skin contact with my healthy son for the very first time. My husband, my unwavering pillar of strength, shared this intimate moment with us.
During my recovery in the ICU, one of the first things I asked the nurses was about my son’s basic human needs and if I could attempt breastfeeding. Despite the challenges, I was able to nourish not only my son but also other babies in need. This experience ignited a deep gratitude for the support I received from family, the medical community, and selfless donors who helped throughout my recovery.
My heart was inspired to share my milk, to offer NICU families a small but powerful gift of love and support during their toughest moments. So, I committed to pumping breast milk for an entire year to provide for our son and others. It fills our hearts with warmth knowing that I was able to donate enough milk to nourish 100’s of NICU babies across Canada. My donation became a profound way to give back to families facing challenges just as we had experienced. Throughout my year of pumping, I took comfort in knowing that sometimes our greatest struggles can lead to our most meaningful contributions.
As we reflect on our incredible journey, my family remains hopeful for the future. Though I cannot carry another pregnancy, the dream of gifting Teddy a sibling is one we continue to hold close to our hearts. This hope fuels our resilience and reminds us that family is built in many beautiful and unconventional ways, including surrogacy which we are excited to explore.
Donating to the Milk Bank was a simple process, and knowing my milk made a difference gives our family immense joy and purpose. Our donation journey was a labor of love, and we hope that by sharing our story, other families will feel inspired to give back in ways that matter most to them.
While our journey has been marked by challenges, it is one filled with hope, and utmost gratitude. We believe in the power of community, love, and giving, and we’re honored to have been part of the Milk Bank’s mission to provide life-changing nourishment to NICU babies.
Thank-you Krista for sharing your story.
If you'd like to share your donation story please follow this link.
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