Parenthood
Photographer Honors Late Newborn Twin In Most Beautiful Way
"When she placed Lettie in her spot, all Lettie could do was look over to where her brother would have been. I couldn't help but feel he was lying there, letting her know that he is always with her."
Britanie Leclair
04.05.19

For some, the road to motherhood comes naturally. For others, like Heather Bowman, the journey can seem like an uphill battle. In an interview with POPSUGAR, the new mother opened up about her experience. “My journey has been a long one,” she explained.

“As I was approaching 36, I was still single and my dream was always to be a mom.”

“I was not willing to sacrifice becoming a mother because I had not found a husband yet.”

Unfortunately, Heather faced many obstacles in her path.

After having a miscarriage in 2017, she quickly became pregnant with twins who she lost at 16 weeks. After countless medical exams and tests, Heather learned she was part of 1% of the population who have half a uterus, one ovary, and only one fallopian tube.

“The diagnosis was frightening for me, but my specialist was absolutely confident I could carry a baby to term,” she said.

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Heather Bowman/USA Today
Source:
Heather Bowman/USA Today

Heather underwent four rounds of intrauterine insemination (IUI) before turning to in vitro methods. Finally, after countless visits and procedures, she found out she was pregnant with twins. After everything Heather had been through, however, this happy time was fraught with fears. In the interview, she recalled:

“Every single pain, twinge, cramp, I thought something was going wrong.”

Tragically, during the 17-week ultrasound, doctors couldn’t find a heartbeat for her twin son, James.

Heather was completely devastated, but she knew she had to compartmentalize the grief for the sake of her daughter. This past February, Heather gave birth to both of the babies via C-section. Hearing her daughter Lettie cry was “the biggest relief I have had in my entire life,” she revealed.

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Heather Bowman/USA Today
Source:
Heather Bowman/USA Today

When Heather went to book a newborn photo shoot for Lettie, she told photographer Jessica Young her story. Little did she know, however, Jessica had also experienced loss and would devise an incredible way to honor both twins.

“When I arrived and saw what she had set up, I lost it,” Heather recalled.

In the photo, you see Lettie in a knotted peach-colored blanket, glancing at an empty swaddle and a pair of baby wings.

“When she placed Lettie in her spot, all Lettie could do was look over to where her brother would have been,” Heather recalled. “I couldn’t help but feel he was lying there, letting her know that he is always with her. She smiled quite a few times while looking in his direction.”

“I will cherish this photo forever.”

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