Trent Williams and his wife Sondra have recently experienced a devastating loss. Credit: Chris Unger/Getty
The San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle and his wife Sondra Williams took to Instagram on December 1 to tell his followers that their son Trenton O’Brien Williams Jr. was stillborn at 35 weeks after losing his twin earlier in her pregnancy.
“It’s been extremely hard trying to process the saddest Hello and Goodbye that I’ve ever had to endure,” Sondra said in a post alongside a montage of photos and videos taken over the past few months. “Last Sunday night on 11/24/24; I welcomed your lifeless 4lb 8oz 18.5 in long little body at 11:38 PM. At only 35 weeks, your impactful and quick arrival didn’t even give mommy time to get an epidural.”
She continued, expressing gratitude towards her sister as well as her nurse.
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“As much as I tried to prepare myself for our meeting, I wasn’t prepared nor would I ever be,” she wrote in the caption. “After losing your twin early in the pregnancy, I prayed and hoped that your diagnosis of Trisomy 13 wasn’t true and wouldn’t be the fate of my long-awaited beautiful Son-shine.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Trisomy 13 is a rare condition that sees the 13th chromosome appear three times instead of two times in a person’s DNA. This can lead to the development of the face, brain, and heart, along with physical growth abnormalities throughout a child’s body.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine also noted that most infants die within their first few weeks of life and only five to 10 percent live past their first year.
Referring to her deceased child as a “Guardian Angel”, she added that it brings her great comfort knowing that he is with other relatives that have also gone to “Heaven”.
“I can’t even begin to describe how I felt leaving the hospital without you. Nor how it feels being home celebrating Thanksgiving without my baby in my arms. My heart is broken and my arms are empty. But I know you’ll always be near watching over me and your sisters. And for that, my heart smiles with gratitude,” Sondra continued in her heartfelt post.
As she mourned her and her husband’s tremendous loss, the fitness instructor also embraced the loving time she was allowed with her little boy.
“Thank God for allowing us to bond for 35 weeks and for me to birth you so I could hold you in my arms,” she shared. “I’m at peace knowing you will never have to suffer. Although I will never hear your soft coos and cries or see those beautiful little eyes staring up at me, I am grateful to God for the time I shared with you.”
“Trenton O’Brien Williams Jr., my sweet baby boy, we love you our Forever Angel!” she concluded before putting his birthdate as November 24.
Social media users took to the comments to offer the family their condolences during this difficult period.
“I’m sorry for your loss. As a longtime NICU/L&D RN it is incredibly brave if you to share your story with others. I have stood by many families during this extremely difficult time and will lift you up in prayer,” wrote one user.
“I am so very sorry. I endured the loss of one of my twins to the same thing. It’s been 18 years. You are never prepared for the tsunami of emotions that take over. Even after 18 years, I never know when it will hit. I’m praying for you as this road is something I pray no one ever has to travel. I’m so sorry,” another added.
A third also commented: “When one momma mourns we all mourn. May your sweet angel rest in heavenly peace with our Lord.”
In response, Sondra thanked her followers for their support.
“Thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement,” she said.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family while they grieve their loss.
Featured Image Credit: Moises De Pena/Getty
