Earlier this year, Richard and Emily Stanley made headlines after they shared photos on Facebook of their stillborn daughter. As LifeNews previously reported, the Stanley’s had the pictures taken by professional photographer, Lindsey Natzic-Villatoro. They wanted to have some way to show their family how beautiful their baby was even though she died before she was born.
Now, the couple’s shared more about their daughter’s story with a California news station.
According to CBS Los Angeles, Monroe Faith was stillborn July 26 and the photos were taken right after her arrival. Emily said, “I just pleaded with God to bring her back, to hear her cry. She had red hair like me. Her daddy’s nose.”
There were no signs of complications during Emily’s pregnancy, and she had given birth to a healthy son five years earlier. She was especially thrilled about this pregnancy because this would be her first child with her husband Richard. Emily said, “I was so excited. I’d waited so long to see her beautiful little face.”
However, on July 25th the couple received some terrible news. Monroe had passed away and nurses told them they couldn’t detect a heartbeat. Emily said, “…The ultrasound tech had come in and told me that her umbilical cord is only showing about 2 inches and everything else was wrapped around her face.”
Tragically, Emily was told they had to deliver her the next day via Cesarean section. Richard said, “I just sat in the car for an hour and a half, just crying. I couldn’t believe what was going on. The only thing I wanted to do was hold her and not let go.”
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The photographer explained what Monroe looked like after Emily delivered. Natzic-Villatoro said, “If I wouldn’t have told you that this child was deceased, you wouldn’t have known it. And she is not the only baby that this happens to.” She was right; the American Pregnancy Association says on their website that one in 160 births end in stillbirth.
This is why the couple and the photographer posted Monroe’s photos online. Natzic-Villatoro said, “This happens to thousands of people. Every month. With this stillbirth, I really wanted to change the stigma of that whole hush-hush thing. Let’s not talk about it.”
Since August, over a million people have viewed the photos; and Emily and Richard said the fact that so many people have been positive was an unexpected blessing amid their tragedy. Emily concluded, “We only initially did it for ourselves, to have pictures of our daughter, but sharing it with the world. Nothing but love and support, basically that I’ve gotten out of it, and it’s truly been a blessing.”
