Maddie’s Footprints expands to area

Babies make a deep imprint on the heart of their parents as they joyfully anticipate their birth. When a pregnancy loss occurs, the couple wades through grief and questions on how to move forward. 

With the help of Maddie’s Footprints, the parents can find resources, support and help in capturing and celebrating cherished memories of the baby who, while not physically present, will never be forgotten.  

The mission of Maddie’s Footprints is to provide support to families coping with miscarriages, stillbirths or the loss of an infant. Based in Lafayette the organization recently expanded into the Baton Rouge area after Monica Alley, founder of Anna’s Grace in Baton Rouge, contacted them about taking over the reigns of her organization. Anna’s Grace had likewise supported people in pregnancy loss.

At an open house on Jan. 18 in Baton Rouge, Lori McGrew, who founded Maddie’s Footprints with her husband Travis, shared the couple’s experience of loss.

In 2008, the McGrews were excited as they were expecting their first baby, Madeline Noelle.

“We started getting the nursery ready. We shopped. We did all the fun stuff about the gender reveal, all those things that normal people do. It was a very easy pregnancy,” Lori McGrew said.

When the McGrews went for Madeline’s 32-week ultrasound in 2009, there were abnormalities. The doctor told them Madeline had a cleft lip and there was an abnormal amount of fluid in her brain and referred them to a specialist.

The couple had to wait two days before they could see the specialist. In the meanwhile they researched all of the things that could be wrong and “hoped and prayed for the best.” They  even thought they might have a child with special needs, but she would still be their child to take home.

When they met with the specialist, tests confirmed Madeline had Trisomy 18. They then experienced every parents’ worst nightmare when the doctor said: “Trisomy 18 is not compatible with life.” 

Lori carried Madeline full term and she and Travis enjoyed their time with her. They read to her and Lori cherished every kick that Madeline made. Lori had maternity pictures made. 

“It was a really beautiful experience and taught me to appreciate the pregnancy a lot more,” said Lori.

Maddie was “born straight into heaven” on June 3, 2009. 

“When she was born she was not breathing, so it actually ended up being a peaceful moment, a very beautiful moment,” said Lori. “We were grateful that there was no suffering for her, but at the same time we were prepared for that.”
While the McGrews were saddened, they felt graced with the extra time to make cherished memories of her. They bathed her, dressed her, cut a lock of her hair, took photos and made handprints and footprints. Family and friends were also on-hand to witness her baptism in the delivery room.

A service was held for Madeline three days later.

“We were surrounded by friends and family, and we very grateful and very lucky to have that,” said Lori.

She also began to realize many people experience miscarriages, stillbirths and early infant death but they don’t seem to openly talk about it.

The McGrews researched ways they can help families honor the loss of their babies. Lori realized she and her husband were blessed that family members made donations to pay for Madeline’s funeral and the medical expenses. Lori acknowledged others did not have the means to do so.

With the support and guidance of people in the funeral home business, social workers and medical industry Maddie’s Footprints was born in 2010 and is thriving. The organization provides literature that can help with the grieving process, tips for family and friends, tips for parents, local and national grieving support references and financial and emotional support.  

 “We know a lot of times people deliver that baby and not everybody has that beautiful experience in the hospital that I did,” Lori said. “We heard horror stories on the other side, when you have that negative experience. To me it has to be even harder to get through the journey, and we don’t want  people to leave that hospital and go home to be alone. We want to make sure that they have a safe place.”

“We give no timeline on grief,” she added. “We know that when that person gets pregnant again, that brings on a whole other journey and so that’s important to know that you’re not alone.”

The McGrews have two daughters, Noelle and Avery.

Maddie’s Footprints will hold its inaugural event in Baton Rouge, Footprints Forever Quarter Marathon, 5k, 1 Mile Run/Walk (formerly known as Anna Grace’s Quarter Marathon), on Sunday, March 27 on River Road.  

For more information about the organization, visit maddiesfootprints.org.