“I Chose to Hope for Her” — Constance on Lucy, Advocacy, and Pregnancy After Loss

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Constance joins me to share the story of her daughter Lucy who passed shortly after birth due to a life-limiting diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). In this conversation, Constance reflects on receiving Lucy’s diagnosis at the 20-week anatomy scan and navigating a medical system that often felt clinical and outcome-focused, rather than centred on her baby’s life.

We talk about what it means to continue a pregnancy with a life-limiting diagnosis — to choose presence, advocacy, and deep connection, even in the face of uncertainty. Constance shares about Lucy’s birth, the time they had together, and the heartbreak of saying goodbye.

She also opens up about how this experience reshaped her faith, identity, and understanding of motherhood, and what it looked like to step into pregnancy after loss, eventually welcoming her rainbow baby while continuing to honour Lucy as a foundational part of her story.

This is a conversation about intentional love — about mothering a baby for their entire life, no matter how long that life is.

We talk about:

•  Receiving a CDH diagnosis at the 20-week anatomy scan 
•  Navigating medical care that felt impersonal and outcome-driven 
•  Choosing to continue the pregnancy after a life-limiting diagnosis 
•  Advocating for Lucy and her birth experience 
•  Birth and time with a baby who passed shortly after 
•  Grief, faith, and rebuilding identity after infant loss 
•  Pregnancy after loss and holding fear alongside hope 
•  Welcoming a rainbow baby while honouring Lucy 
•  Motherhood after loss and living in both grief and love 

This episode is a reminder that even the briefest lives are deeply meaningful and that the love we carry for our babies continues to shape us, forever.

Get to know Constance:
Constance is a stay-at-home mom and military spouse living in Georgia. She is a former professional ballerina who danced with Ballet Austin in Austin, Texas, before stepping away from the stage to become a mother. Life after loss has taken her through grief, rebuilding her faith, cross-country moves, and the realities of military life — all while mothering her children and honoring the daughter who changed everything.

Guest Links:
Instagram: @constybleek

Connect with Kristin:
📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca
🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven
🕊 RECLAIM — The PAL Birth Course: thedoulalife.ca/reclaim
🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother
📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life

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