The journey to motherhood is different for every woman. For some, it is a straightforward path. But for others, like Zeynep Gurtin, it is marked by heartache, loss, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. After suffering three miscarriages in two years, Zeynep and her partner decided to try IVF. They transferred two healthy embryos, and Zeynep was elated when the pregnancy test came back positive. She began dreaming of the future, imagining sharing the joyous news with family over the holidays.
But those dreams were shattered when Zeynep miscarried the twins. The loss was devastating, compounded by the fact that her body struggled to complete the miscarriage on its own. She endured three surgical procedures to remove the “retained products of conception.” Zeynep couldn’t bear to let go, physically or emotionally. She took to her bed for two months, curtains drawn, lost in the depths of despair.
Finding Solace in an Unexpected Place
In her darkest moments, Zeynep found an unexpected source of solace and understanding – a grieving orca named Tahlequah. In 2018, Tahlequah gave birth to a calf that died shortly after. For 17 days, the orca carried her baby’s body, pushing it to the surface and swimming with it balanced on her head.
Tahlequah’s display of grief made news around the world and her mourning dance with her baby moved an increasingly desensitised audience.
Zeynep felt an immediate, profound connection to Tahlequah’s plight. She understood the orca’s desperate wish for a miracle, her inability to accept the loss. In Tahlequah, Zeynep found a kindred spirit – a mother whose love and grief transcended species.
A Reason to Hope
Two years later, in September 2020, Zeynep read that Tahlequah had given birth again to a healthy calf named Phoenix. The news filled her with joy and a newfound sense of hope. If Tahlequah could find the strength to try again after such a devastating loss, maybe Zeynep could too.
This felt like the omen I needed to try again. And so we embarked on another IVF cycle.
Zeynep Gurtin
In August 2021, Zeynep’s son was born – robust, pink, and miraculous. She hasn’t forgotten the babies she lost, but the once gaping wounds have begun to heal. Zeynep marvels at the mysteries of the universe and the courage of mothers, both human and orca, who find the strength to carry on after unimaginable heartbreak.
A Reminder of Resilience
Today, Zeynep has two ceramic orcas displayed in her home – one for Tahlequah and Phoenix, and one for herself and her “rainbow baby.” They serve as a daily reminder of the remarkable resilience of mothers and the power of hope in the face of grief.
I am reconciled with the journey we took to get here. And I am all the more appreciative of our little family and the great mysteries of the universe.
Zeynep Gurtin
Zeynep’s story is a testament to the enduring strength of a mother’s love and the unexpected places we can find inspiration and solidarity. It reminds us that even in our darkest moments, hope and healing are possible if we open our hearts to the wonders and wisdom of the natural world.
