Navigating a Life-Limiting Diagnosis with the Founder of Carrying to Term | Episode 085 with Stephanie Schoonover

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Episode 85

Listen in as I chat with Stephanie Shoonover. Stephanie was given a life-limiting diagnosis for her daughter Grace at a routine 12-week ultrasound. In this episode Stephanie shares with us what it was like to continue her pregnancy and make the most of the time she did have with her daughter. Stephanie also shares all about how she prepared for Grace’s birth and what she wish others understood about what its like to receive a life-limiting diagnosis for your baby. 

Stephanie shares with us her experience of joy while carrying her daughter Grace but also how the resources to help a family in this situation were lacking. As a result Stephanie founded the non-profit Carrying To Term and tells us all about that amazing organization in this episode. 

If you or someone you know have received a prenatal life-limiting diagnosis, this is a must-listen episode. Like always, this episode is both practically helpful and honestly hopeful. I pray that no matter what brought you here today, this episode would serve as a reminder that you are never, ever alone in this journey and that you are more loved than you could ever imagine.

Stephanie’s story has so much hope to offer and I pray that it blesses you today.

If this is your first time joining us and you have been given a life-limiting diagnosis for your baby, I want to say, I am so incredibly sorry. I want to also tell you that while you probably feel very alone right now, you are not alone. I would love to invite you to join our free online community where you can find other moms just like you who have walked or are walking now a similar journey. You can join us by clicking the button below.

 

Questions We Answer (or try to answer) During This Episode

  • What was it like to receive a life-limiting diagnosis?

  • What information were you given and what decisions did you need to make at that time? 

  • What would you say to a mom who has received a similar life-limiting diagnosis and is now having to face those kinds of decisions?

  • Were there any resources that were helpful to you or resources that you wish you had known about sooner?

  • What was it like carrying a baby you knew would not live long after birth?

  • What advice or wisdom would you give to a mom facing this reality about how to navigate pregnancy? 

  • Tell me how you prepared for your daughter’s birth. How can a mom in this situation be as prepared as possible.

  • Is there anything you wish you had done differently or known about in regards to your daughter’s birth? 

  • Tell us about the day your daughter was born.

  • How has your daughter’s life changed you? How has her life impacted and changed the way you see the world now, the way you live? 

  • Is there anything about receiving a life-limiting diagnosis that you think is widely misunderstood?

  • Tell us about Carrying to Term — Why did you start this organization? 

  • What services does Carrying to Term offer?

  • How have you seen Carrying to Term offer hope and help to women who have received a life-limiting diagnosis for their baby?


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MEET STEPHANIE

Stephanie Schoonover is the Executive Director and Founder of Carrying To Term and runs the day-to-day management of the organization. She is responsible for the vision and execution of the organization’s mission as it expands across the country.

A Cincinnati, Ohio native, Stephanie graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Business degree and spent her early career managing commercial real estate deals for two Fortune 500 companies prior to launching Carrying To Term.

Today, Stephanie and her husband, Andy, reside in Austin, Texas, where they are devoted parents to Grace's legacy, their two younger daughters, and their beloved pup.

Watch Stephanie & Andy’s story here: carryingtoterm.org/stories/stephanie-and-andy-story/


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Life-Limiting Diagnosis, Purpose in the Pain, & Infant Loss in the African Culture | Episode 086 with Lola Igunbor

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