Hello Friends and Family,
Around 38 weeks pregnant, we began to worry after not feeling Koen kick or show signs of movement. Following the recommended medical advice, we decided to go to Labor and Delivery to check on our baby boy. Shortly after being taken back to triage, the nurse asked me when the last time I felt Koen move was. In that very moment, I knew that my baby was gone and was in complete shock. The doctor came in and verified that they could not find Koen's heartbeat and that he had passed away. On June 2, 2024, my husband and I received the most devastating news imaginable; our healthy baby was gone. I was then induced and delivered our perfect baby boy on June 5, 2024. My entire pregnancy with Koen was healthy and went very well. Being told that our healthy, full-term baby was dead was the most devastating, shocking, and heartbreaking news of our lives. I was so naïve thinking I was going to be delivering our healthy baby early. The guilt I feel will never go away, no matter how many times I am told, “it was not my fault.”

Our family will forever grieve the loss of our precious baby boy. We wanted to watch Koen reach each milestone, grow up with Ryker (we know they would be the best of friends), and accomplish all his goals. We will always wonder what his personality would have been like, what his little cry would have sounded like, or what his voice would sound like saying the words, “mama,” “dada,” and “brother.” All our dreams for Koen came crashing down on the day we received the most tragic news; we’ll never get to watch our baby grow up.

We will NEVER understand why this happened to us. It makes absolutely no sense being that I had a healthy pregnancy. No one should ever have to hear the news that their baby’s heart is no longer beating, especially at full-term. Right after we were told our baby was no longer with us, we were told we had many important decisions that needed to be made such as if we wanted to cremate or bury Koen, how and what to tell Ryker, what the funeral would entail, and much more. We were trying to process the reality that our baby was no longer alive and were in complete shock then were being told to start making arrangements. The heartbreak, shock, and anger are unimaginable. No one should ever have to know this pain.

Thank you to our family and friends who have supported us through this journey and continue to check on us. I know some people do not know what to say, but please know that saying nothing makes it worse for us. We want you to say Koen’s name, we want you to bring up our baby and talk about him and my pregnancy. Koen MATTERS, and we will do everything we can to bring awareness to stillbirth, honoring our perfect baby boy, Koen!

Please join our team "Koen's Light" or donate in honor and memory of our precious baby boy, Koen Reid Ramirez. We are seeking donations for an important cause. We’re supporting Angel Babies, and we hope you will join us in whatever way you can. Angel Babies is a vital resource for families who have lost a baby or have a baby with a life-limiting illness. People are not taught how to deal with the death of a baby. Our friends and family often don't know what to say. Most people expect the parents, especially the father, to return to work within a few days after the loss and be "back to normal" within a matter of months. But the death of a baby changes parents forever and results in a uniquely deep and personal grieving process. The Angel Babies bereavement service at Hinds Hospice provides families with helpful information and support during their journey of grief and mourning. Please help us support this important community service. This program is only available at Hinds Hospice and depends on community funding.

Thank you for all your support.

Love,
Dara, Steven, Ryker, and Koen Ramirez