A Mother’s Love: Remembering Daniela Viviana

In 2023, I was blessed to conceive naturally at 45 years old with my eighth child. It was a miraculous experience, coming 30 years after I first became a mother in 1993. My pregnancy was fantastic, filled with intentionality as I worked hard to stay healthy, listened to my body and my baby, and relied on the Holy Spirit to guide me through the natural fears and worries that arose along the way. My goal was to have a home birth, just like I did with my last two children—if it remained a safe option for both me and my baby.

Feeling my baby’s constant movements, hiccups, and growth reassured me throughout the pregnancy. At 42 weeks, I began experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions, which was normal for me, but I realized I hadn’t felt the baby move in the last 12 hours. Concerned, I called my midwife, who advised me to come in for a nonstress test. During the test, a trainee discovered the baby was breech but successfully flipped her back. Unfortunately, the test results were concerning, and an ultrasound that had already been scheduled confirmed more bad news. My midwife urged me to have the baby that day in the hospital, as there might be breathing issues.

Daniela Viviana at 23 days

My husband and two little boys joined me at the ultrasound, excited for their first glimpse of the baby. However, the technician’s body language and a prolonged focus on the baby’s heart suggested something was wrong. The scan revealed fluid on her lungs, and her heart could not be cleared as normal. We immediately sought the best hospital available and drove straight to the University of Utah Hospital.

After an intense labor, our baby was born at 12:44 a.m. on October 4, 2023—my fourth October baby. She arrived in one strong push but was limp and not breathing. The doctors quickly milked her cord for blood and whisked her away to the NICU. After what felt like an eternity, they allowed my husband and me to see her. That was when we learned we had been blessed with a baby girl—a dream I had held for 28 years since the birth of my only other daughter.

Meeting Daniela Viviana for the first time was bittersweet. She was intubated, and her condition was uncertain. Despite this, she was breathtakingly beautiful—a six-pound, snow-white angel with dark curly hair and high-arched eyebrows. Her name, Daniela Viviana, was one I had cherished for 25 years, and my husband helped finalize it with a few similar options.

The following days brought a whirlwind of invasive tests and scans. Daniela was diagnosed with several abnormalities, including tetralogy of Fallot and chylothorax, the latter of which resolved shortly after birth. At one week old, genetic testing confirmed Trisomy 18. While this diagnosis was daunting, I was thankful not to have known earlier; it allowed me to focus on cherishing every precious moment with her, free from fear and worry.

Daniela quickly began acting like a full-term baby. She cried, cooed, moved around, and engaged with the world in her own way. I treasured every moment in the NICU—touching her, smelling her, kissing her, and holding her close during hours of skin-to-skin contact. As I pumped milk for her, I read healing scriptures and prayed over her. Daniela responded with comfort and peace, snuggling deeply into me.

Her progress was remarkable. Nurses commented on her sweet nature and how adorable she was. She began sucking, swallowing, and breathing while taking my milk from a tiny syringe. I was so proud of her, marveling at her strength and determination.

Daniela Viviana at 23 days

But on October 27, Daniela’s fight came to an end. While I was holding her in my arms, she slipped into eternity. I was honored to be with her during her final moments, touching her and praying over her as medical staff worked tirelessly to save her life. I am grateful that her 24-year-old twin brothers were able to meet her alive, even if COVID restrictions prevented more visitors from seeing her in the NICU. After she passed, her siblings came to the hospital to hold her and say goodbye. For the next 24 hours, we mourned together, cherishing the time we had with her.

The following Saturday, our church, family, and neighbors came together to celebrate Daniela’s life with a beautiful pink butterfly-themed service. It was a fitting tribute to her brief but impactful life. I was blessed to have my only photo with all eight of my children together—a memory I will treasure forever.

Though our time with Daniela was only 23 days, they were filled with immeasurable love, joy, and gratitude. She was the sweetest, most beautiful soul, and I would relive those precious moments a million times over. Daniela taught us the meaning of resilience, the power of love, and the beauty of cherishing every moment.

Her life may have been short, but her impact will last a lifetime. We will carry her memory in our hearts forever.

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Written by Daniela Viviana’s mom