Evelyn Madden is quickly becoming Georgetown’s biggest celebrity thanks to a talented photographer and a birth story that has gone global.
Evelyn is a Rainbow baby, so named because she was born after her parents had previously suffered a miscarriage. Hunter and Hope Madden were married four years ago and always wanted to have kids but had challenges along the way. Hope’s cycles were not predictable enough, and their reproductive endocrinologist began a routine of conservative fertility treatments. The Maddens slowly pushed through more intensive treatments until Hope became pregnant in March 2016. At their first sonogram, sadly, there was no heartbeat.
The couple agree that while many marriages can suffer through so many trials and monthly disappointments, “it brought us closer together,” Hunter says. “Every year brings a new understanding of your partner and these events made us cling to each other. My wife was so incredibly brave and we both realize the immense value of being a parent.”
They continued their fertility treatments, and visited Blessed Family Chiropractic in Georgetown for mom’s wellness and soon conceived Evelyn. They followed through with a great deal of pre-natal monitoring until Evelyn’s blessed birth March 11.
“We were cautiously optimistic all through the pregnancy,” Hope says. “She got stronger all the time and at 18 weeks we ‘graduated’ from the fertility doctor to get ready to be parents.”
The Maddens’ story was picked up after their photographer, Leilani Rogers, posted some of their birthroom photos on Facebook and a few other social media sites. Since then, it has been picked up by national news websites, news and blogs as far as Australia, and they are, right now, expecting calls from ABC News and The Today Show.
“There are so many other stories out there that are more difficult than ours but we love that this might be inspiring for others in our situation. The costs, financial and emotional, are high for couples, and we are happy to share our experiences of fear and excitement if it helps others.”
Hope has even started a Facebook group to provide a forum for others to vent, ask questions and help each other. “People are much more open about these issues and we gained so much support during our struggle. As long as we can help bring about more awareness, create bonds between people in similar circumstances, I’ll keep doing it.”
Hope says, “Evelyn is not what we expected. She is so tiny and we are both 6’3″; I was the oldest of eight kids who took care of seven colicky siblings. She is a peaceful little girl and sleeps so well. We are blessed, and lucky!”
Hope’s Facebook page is Williamson County Infertility Adoption and Miscarriage Support Group
Photos used with permission of Austin area birth photographer Leilani Rogers www.photosbylei.com
