Couple who lost twins during birth helping other grieving parents

SCITUATE, Mass. — A Scituate couple who lost their twin boys to stillbirth last year is on a mission to help other families faced with a similar tragedy.

Arianna and Brad Desilets’ twin boys, Theodore and Maximus, were born still in October.

“Imagine preparing for a new child. The excitement overcomes you and you start preparing for this new family member. Then something unthinkable happens. Your child is born still or becomes terminally ill after being born. You say hello and goodbye to your child in an instance and all you can do is keep begging this world for more time,” the couple said.

The Desilets said the staff at South Shore Hospital took great care of their family and did everything in their power to give them the time they needed to say goodbye. Part of their care involved a CuddleCot device, which was brought into their hospital room. The cot keeps the child cool, which allows families time to say goodbye.

“This experience is extremely traumatizing and without a CuddleCot the child is brought back and forth to the parents from a cold room,” the couple said. “It simply adds to the pain having the child removed and brought back into the room over and over again.”

The Desilets learned most area hospitals don’t have a CuddleCot device, which means grieving families have even less time with their child(ren).

With the help of others, the couple has provided a CuddleCot device to Massachusetts General Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center.

A spokesperson for Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center told Boston 25 News the hospital is very thankful to the Desilets for their kind and generous donation, which took place on June 28.

“Many hospitals do not have a CuddleCot to offer to grieving parents, so we are extremely grateful that we can now provide this option,” said the spokesperson. “Arianna and Brad have shown incredible strength and resolve in the face of unspeakable tragedy and continue to honor the memory of their sons through their tireless fundraising efforts.”

The Desilets gave a $1,500 donation to South Shore Hospital’s Pregnancy and Infant Loss team. Since the hospital already had a CuddleCot, they wanted to give money toward other supplies needed for grieving parents.

Boston Medical Center has informed the Desilets they’re in need of a CuddleCot device. Right now, the couple is working to raise enough money to purchase one for the hospital.

“Max and Theo’s legacy is growing and we could not be prouder parents,” the couple said. “Please help our family provide a small amount of comfort to others in their darkest hour.”

An estimated 24,000 babies are born still every year in the United States, according to the March of Dimes.

Cox Media Group