Mom shares story of ‘miracle’ baby born moments before husband’s death
It’s been less than two weeks since Haley Parke gave birth to her second son and lost her husband on the same day.
A Connecticut woman’s Facebook post is going viral and has been shared more than 33,000 times after she described delivering her son three weeks early so that her husband could meet the baby before dying.
On Dec. 2, Parke gave birth three weeks early to a baby boy. Later that same day, her husband p.a.s.s.e.d away from c*ncer he had been battling since being diagnosed in January 2021.
The early delivery was a choice Parke and her husband, Jb, came to when just days before, the six-month prognosis he had been given was changed to just days.
The couple asked, and were given the OK for, an induction. But things weren’t moving fast enough. Jb had just hours to live.
In a now-viral Facebook post that’s been shared more than 40,000 times, Parke wrote in part, “It was either a c-section right at that moment, or Jb would not have the opportunity to meet our son.”
Parke agreed and within 20 minutes, their son was born. She told TODAY she “had faith” Jb would hold on until the baby came. He did.
A team of doctors and nurses ran the baby upstairs to his dad and placed the baby on his chest. Almost immediately, Jb’s vitals started to improve. Haley arrived in Jb’s room soon after and held her husband’s hand as he held the baby. “He took his last breaths with our son on his chest and my hand in his hand,” she wrote.
The couple, who had been married three years and also had an 18-month-old son, had not picked out a name prior to the baby’s birth. But Parke knew just what to call him: John Beeson Parke — also known as baby Jb. He was born completely healthy, Parke told TODAY.
Jb spent his last moments with his new baby on his chest and holding his wife’s hand, WTIC reported.
The Connecticut woman’s Facebook post
“I come to you all with news that is the most joyous, but also the most somber.
On December 2nd, my husband Jb and I welcomed our second son, earth side. This boy entered the world in the most brave and magical way, with a very big miracle to fulfill in a short matter of time.
My husband Jb was admitted Sunday to Hartford hospital with complications from his c*ncer. Wednesday, we received word that his 6 month prognosis was now turning into a matter of days. With our second son’s due date 3 weeks away, my husband and I knew asking for an induction was the right thing to do. Without hesitation, the team of ICU doctors communicated with the head of high risk labor and delivery doctors. They offered me an induction as soon as I was ready.
I kissed my sweet husband goodbye and told him to be strong and hold on for me and the baby – he said he would. We began the induction process Wednesday night with hopes of a quick labor and a vaginal birth. Those plans changed in an instant when a team of ICU doctors entered my room Thursday morning at 8am with the news that Jb was declining fast and had a matter of a few hours. It was either a c-section right at that moment, or Jb would not have the opportunity to meet our son.
With out a question in my mind, I said “Let’s go” and we did just that. In a matter of literally one minute, I was in the OR, and in just a short 20 minutes later, our son was born. He was given to me for a quick kiss, and then a team of doctors and nurses ran him up 2 floors, and he was placed on his daddy’s chest.
The miracle of all this? When our baby was placed on Jb’s chest, Jb’s vitals all instantly improved. He was also acknowledging our son was there by making small head movements and sweet moans.
After stitching me up, doctors and nurses made room for my bed to be wheeled in right next to my husband’s. Straight from the OR to ICU, I went. I spent my recovery time gazing at my husband. I was gazing at him in sadness, but in awe of his strength.
He took his last breaths with our son on his chest and my hand in his hand.
Delivering a baby 3 weeks early can come with a slew of complications that can require NICU time and breathing support. God prepared our son for this very moment because he came out weighing 7lbs 4oz at 20in long, with fully developed lungs that let out the sweetest of cries.
From the OR to the ICU room, there were what felt like hundreds of doctors and nurses floating us through this process effortlessly. Not one of them having a dry eye the entire time. Some of them told me they’ll never forget this act of selflessness. Some called my actions brave and heroic. I just call it love. I acted out of love. I put my trust in God that this was part of his plan, and I did what I had to do, out of love, to fulfill my husband’s last wish.
Up until the moment of induction, we had not had names picked out. I knew in my heart it was only right to honor my husband.
So, it is my pleasure to announce the birth of our brave, amazing son, John Beeson Parke (Jb).
Welcome to the world baby Jb.
Your story is truly a miracle ”
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family.
