WEIRTON, WV June 16, 2021–The gift of time.  That’s what the CuddleCot system provides to grieving moms and dads dealing with losing a baby, through a stillbirth or early infant loss.  Weirton couple, Stephanie and Eric Beatty, learned this firsthand after the heartbreaking loss of their baby girl, Faith Irene Beatty on October 29, 2020.  Stephanie delivered Faith at a Pittsburgh hospital where staff brought a CuddleCot system into Stephanie’s room after delivery.  The CuddleCot system provided the bereaved parents with the option of spending time with their baby girl after she passed.  The cooling unit slows natural changes allowing parents that precious time with their baby. 

After experiencing the loss of baby Faith, the Beatty’s wanted to do something to help other parents who experience a stillbirth or death during or shortly after delivery.  After sharing their story on social media, friends and family donated to their fundraiser, raising enough money to purchase a CuddleCot to donate to WMC in their baby girl’s memory. Both of Faith’s grandmothers, Sarah Beatty and Colleen McDougal joined Eric and Stephanie at the dedication. The plaque on the CuddleCot system reads, “Donated in Memory of Faith Irene Beatty, October 29, 2020.  Carried for a moment, loved for a lifetime.  Donated with Love from Mom and Dad and countless friends and family, in Association with Ashlie’s Embrace.”

Ashlie’s Embrace is a non-profit who works with parents and donors to provide these $3,000 units to hospitals.  Their organization’s goal is for every birth center/labor and delivery hospital in the U.S. to have a CuddleCot.  To learn more, visit AshliesEmbrace.org.

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 Pictured are Lisa Conti, WMC EVP, Rachel Gilman MD, OB/GYN, Sarah Beatty, Rose Grimm, Unit Secretary, Colleen McDougal, Autumn Burnem, WMC Dir. Maternal Child Services, Stephanie and Eric Beatty, Alexis Laibach, WMC RN