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Helping Others Grieve Pregnancy Loss & Stillbirth | Business with Purpose Podcast EP 257: Ashley Opliger, Bridget’s Cradles

Helping Others Grieve Pregnancy Loss & Stillbirth | Business with Purpose Podcast EP 257: Ashley Opliger, Bridget's Cradles

Helping Others Grieve Pregnancy Loss & Stillbirth | Business with Purpose Podcast EP 257: Ashley Opliger, Bridget’s Cradles

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  • Helping Others Grieve Pregnancy Loss & Stillbirth | Business with Purpose Podcast EP 257: Ashley Opliger, Bridget’s Cradles
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Click a timestamp below to be taken to the exact spot in the episode…

My guest today is Ashley Opliger, president and executive director of Bridget’s Cradles, a nonprofit ministry dedicated to providing comfort, hope and healing to families grieving the loss of a baby in Heaven. They have donated cradles to more than 1,100 hospitals in all 50 states. 

Ashley lost her daughter, Bridget, during pregnancy. Ashley’s mother knit a blanket for Bridget and made it into a knitted cradle. That was the start of Bridget’s Cradles. 

This discussion is very personal to me, because I have had the horrific experience of losing babies, my sons Elijah and Malachi, during pregnancy. 

5:21 – Ashley 101

  • Ashley lives in Wichita, Kan., with her husband, Matt. They have three children, their daughter Bridget in Heaven, and their two sons who are 4 years old and 6 months old. 
  • Her life right now is a mix of motherhood and ministry.
  • She had a subchorionic hemorrhage while pregnant with her daughter Bridget and was on bed rest for 11 weeks before losing her daughter.

10:50 – Deep grief

  • Ashley was dealing with deep grief when she came home from the hospital. She fell to her knees in Bridget’s nursery and asked God why she had to lose her daughter.
  • She surrendered her grief to God, and she has seen God redeem her grief so she can help others.

17:54 – Cradles

  • Nurses saw the knitted cradle Ashley had for her daughter. They said it would be nice to have those for other babies who pass.
  • Ashley created Bridget’s Cradles. Nurses say the cradles are unique and special gifts to give grieving families. 

25:16 – Nurses

  • Once the cradles are shipped to hospitals, nurses are responsible for giving them to families.
  • Nurses are the hands and feet of the cradles.

32:25 – Volunteers can knit cradles

  • You can volunteer to knit cradles. They will send patterns, dimensions, yarn type and colors.
  • The cradles are shipped to Bridget’s Cradles, and they add lace, ribbon and charms. Every cradle has a cross on the foot.

40:09 – Cradles are for everyone

  • A few hospitals have said no to the cradles because of the religious connection and the crosses on the foot of the cradles.
  • Families can choose to remove crosses from the cradles. The cradles are for everyone. 

46:49 – Get to know you

  • Guilty pleasure? Dark chocolate
  • What she’s reading? Mama Bear Apologetics

FEATURED QUOTES

There’s nothing wrong or weak about going to counseling. I think it’s a sign of strength to be able to go in and have someone help process that grief. – Ashley

“My life right now is a mix of motherhood and ministry.” – Ashley

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OR LINKS THAT NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN POST

https://www.bridgetscradles.com/

About Ashley Opliger:

Ashley Opliger is the President and Executive Director of Bridget’s Cradles 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Wichita, Kansas. Bridget’s Cradles donates cradles to over 1,090 hospitals in all 50 states and comforts over 26,000 bereaved families a year. She is the host of the Cradled in Hope podcast and the leader of Hope Gatherings support groups.

Ashley is married to Matt and they have three children: Bridget (in Heaven), and two sons. She is a fully-devoted follower of Christ who desires to share the hope of Jesus and Heaven with families grieving the loss of a baby.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS: 

Ready to ditch the bleach forever but can’t find a bleach alternative that actually works? You’ve got to meet this Extra Strength Oxygen Powder by MamaSuds. It launches July 15th and I’ve had the chance to try it out early and I love it so much! It really tackles the dirt and odor in our clothes. And as usual there are multiple uses for this new product. Not only is it a laundry booster and stain remover, but it’s a great scouring agent on any non-porous surface. If you head to their website and sign up for their email list you’ll get an email with an early bird special coupon when oxygen powder launches PLUS use discount code MOLLY and get an EXTRA 15% off! www.mamasuds.com

—-

Speaking of stories behind brands that change the world, I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.

Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.

Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.

What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.

When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!

You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off!

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Our girl graduated fifth grade today and sang the National Anthem 🥹 And yes, I was a blubbery mess. I’m so grateful God saw fit for me to be her mama. We are so proud of the amazing young woman she’s becoming. #lillstillhomemovies

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Our girl graduated fifth grade today and sang the National Anthem 🥹 And yes, I was a blubbery mess. I’m so grateful God saw fit for me to be her mama. We are so proud of the amazing young woman she’s becoming. #lillstillhomemovies

🇺🇸 ❤️ remembering her and all those who gave their lives in service to their country.

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🇺🇸 ❤️ remembering her and all those who gave their lives in service to their country.

Spam texts are like a box of chocolates… I just start replying with Forrest Gump quotes ‘til they leave me alone. #spamtexts #lifeislikeaboxofchocolates

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Spam texts are like a box of chocolates… I just start replying with Forrest Gump quotes ‘til they leave me alone. #spamtexts #lifeislikeaboxofchocolates

He is risen indeed! ✝️

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He is risen indeed! ✝️

It’s wild out here in these pollen streets. #thepollening 🤧

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It’s wild out here in these pollen streets. #thepollening 🤧

🎊 ONE WHOLE YEAR 🎉

My debut memoir, “If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry” has been out in the world for one whole year today. Writing this book was hard and holy work, and it’s been such a joy to see how many of you have laughed, cried, and laughed till you cried.

Thank you for the support of this book. ❤️

If you’ve read it, would you do me a *huge* favor and leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads? And would you share the book with a friend or on social media? It would mean the world to me.

And if you haven’t picked up a copy or downloaded the audiobook yet, what are you waiting for? 😉

#ifidontlaughillcry #iidlic #nelsonbooks

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🎊 ONE WHOLE YEAR 🎉 

My debut memoir, “If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry” has been out in the world for one whole year today. Writing this book was hard and holy work, and it’s been such a joy to see how many of you have laughed, cried, and laughed till you cried. 

Thank you for the support of this book. ❤️

If you’ve read it, would you do me a *huge* favor and leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads? And would you share the book with a friend or on social media? It would mean the world to me. 

And if you haven’t picked up a copy or downloaded the audiobook yet, what are you waiting for? 😉 

#ifidontlaughillcry #iidlic #nelsonbooks

Nine is fine! Happy birthday to the sweetest, kindest, funniest, smartest, best basketball playing boy we know! We love you, buddy roe!

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Nine is fine! Happy birthday to the sweetest, kindest, funniest, smartest, best basketball playing boy we know! We love you, buddy roe!

13 years of being married to the best man I know. Life with you is more than I ever could have dreamed. I love you, J. 🤍 #happyanniversary

📷 @katelynjames

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13 years of being married to the best man I know. Life with you is more than I ever could have dreamed. I love you, J. 🤍 #happyanniversary 

📷 @katelynjames

And the people of God said… AMEN!

#leviticus #allfatisthelords #biblerecap #biblehumor

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And the people of God said… AMEN! 

#leviticus #allfatisthelords #biblerecap #biblehumor

I often wonder if he’d be a red head like Amos or if he’d be musically gifted like Lilly.

Would he love snuggling or be a boy who only wanted hugs on his terms?

Would his eyes be brown like his dad’s or would he be covered in freckles?

What would his laugh sound like? Who would be his best friend? What would his favorite book be? Would he say Gen Alpha slang words like sigma and skibidi or would he love his mom too much to do that?

Would I be mommy or mama or mom to him?

So many questions I won’t get to answers to on this side of heaven. But I think about him today, just like every day, and I hope he’s getting a slice of strawberry cake for his heavenly birthday.

7 years. 🤍 #elijahtimothy

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I often wonder if he’d be a red head like Amos or if he’d be musically gifted like Lilly. 

Would he love snuggling or be a boy who only wanted hugs on his terms? 

Would his eyes be brown like his dad’s or would he be covered in freckles?

What would his laugh sound like? Who would be his best friend? What would his favorite book be? Would he say Gen Alpha slang words like sigma and skibidi or would he love his mom too much to do that? 

Would I be mommy or mama or mom to him?

So many questions I won’t get to answers to on this side of heaven. But I think about him today, just like every day, and I hope he’s getting a slice of strawberry cake for his heavenly birthday. 

7 years. 🤍 #elijahtimothy
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