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Rick Hansen’s daughter welcomes baby boy, 20 months after stillbirth

Rick Hansen’s daughter welcomes baby boy, 20 months after stillbirth - image
Rick Hansen Foundation / Julie Christine Photography

Rick Hansen’s daughter Emma has given birth to a healthy baby boy, over a year after her first baby was stillborn a day before his due date.

The Hansen family welcomed baby Everett Henry VandenBrink on Friday evening.

“I’m so happy and proud to announce the arrival of my little grandson Everett Henry VandenBrink last night at 6:44 p.m. Amanda and I are so happy that our daughter Emma and baby are healthy and doing great,” Rick posted on Facebook on Saturday.

The good news comes almost two years after Emma and Aaron’s first son, Reid, was stillborn. The story touched thousands after Emma wrote an emotional blog post about the ordeal.

READ MORE: Rick Hansen’s daughter writes moving blog post about stillborn son

After having to deliver the stillborn baby naturally, Emma and Aaron discovered the boy’s death was caused by a knot in his umbilical cord.

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“We were told he must have done a few summersaults when he was younger and tied it when he was very small – it was so close to his body. Then when he dropped in preparation for his birth it slowly started to tighten. Our little monkey, he was having too much fun in there. My heart felt heavy knowing what had happened. On one hand it brought a small bit of relief to know it wasn’t something we did or didn’t do. Knots are undetectable. But that same knowledge brought tremendous grief through the realization that his passing from this knot happened completely out of our control. We couldn’t have protected him from this.”

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READ MORE: ‘What does life after losing a baby look like?’ Rick Hansen’s daughter shares struggle

Their second pregnancy wasn’t easy either; the couple spent 11 months with four rounds of fertility treatment, including one injection, trying to conceive.

This was Emma’s second pregnancy. She announced baby Everett’s birth on Instagram on Saturday:

“Everett Henry VandenBrink came rushing into this world surrounded by the love and care of the most incredible nurses, obstetricians, pediatricians, and family. We couldn’t have done this without them. And we certainly couldn’t have done this without Reid’s guidance over his little brother’s journey into our arms—we know he had a huge role in guaranteeing his safe arrival.

“We are all healthy and doing well and settling into this new chapter of life as a family of four with one baby earth-side and one in heaven. Aaron and I are so in love and so overwhelmed with joy. Everett, my sweet child, you are the answer to many, many prayers.”

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