Meet the Gupta Family

By Stacey McEvoy

Photos by Christine Loy Photography and courtesy of the Gupta family

Five and a half years ago, Christine Chang and her husband Sid Gupta moved from Manhattan to Chatham Township. Sid is no stranger to the area having grown up in Berkeley Heights. Christine grew up in Wilmington, Delaware. The couple met in college. A former figure skater, Christine is a judge with US Figure Skating and often judges the youngest competitors at Mennen Area.

Jackson, Sid, Christine, & Harry Gupta

Their son, Jackson, 4, attends The Albrook School, a Montessori school in Basking Ridge, and as a typical preschooler, he is a big fan of trains, cars, trucks and the color blue, says his mom. His younger brother Harrison, known as Harry, is 18 months old. Although Harry is not talking yet, he makes it very clear that he loves dogs whenever the family goes for a walk through the neighborhood.

Christine is a healthcare market researcher for Deloitte. Sid advises pension funds. The couple knew they wanted to raise their family in the suburbs and felt Chatham was the perfect place. Christine quickly became involved in the community and joined the Chatham Township Board of Health where she found that it was a great way to connect with people.

Last fall, the Chatham Township Committee proclaimed the month of October Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month which is near and dear to Christine’s and Sid’s hearts. Shortly after moving to Chatham five years ago, Christine had a stillbirth at 38 weeks. Although a cause was never found, Christine, having had experienced changes in her baby’s fetal movements during the pregnancy, became an advocate for paying attention to how and how often babies move during the last trimester of pregnancy. Movement increases, decreases or changes in quality ie. from a kick to a push, which Christine experienced, should prompt pregnant women to call their obstetricians.

Photo by Christine Loy Photography

“Kick counts are the best way to understand your baby’s normal movement patterns. They’re also a wonderful way to bond with your baby. It can be a fun thing to do and it’s really the only way your baby can communicate with you,” says Christine. “Every mom is different and every pregnancy is different. Be aware of what is normal for your baby. For example, if your baby normally kicks ten times in 10 minutes but then the number goes down to a couple of kicks in 30 minutes, you should call your doctor and ask for a non-stress test and/or ultrasound.”

According to recent research, altered fetal movement could be a sign that the baby needs medical attention, and if addressed in a timely manner, some stillbirths can be prevented.[1]Falling asleep on your side during the last trimester of pregnancy is also better for babies, as it helps blood and oxygen flow through the placenta.[2]

Christine and Sid joined two nonprofit organizations to help them through their traumatic loss and to also help others who have experienced the same:

The Star Legacy Foundation

The Star Legacy Foundation is dedicated to stillbirth education, research and awareness and provides support for families who have experienced a loss. Sid is a member Star Legacy Foundation’s Board of Directors and Christine is the medical outreach chair of the Foundation’s NY Metro Chapter.

The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey

The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to meet the healthcare needs of women, infants and children in NJ while coordinating education, outreach and advocacy. Christine is specifically involved with the Partnership’s Fetal Infant Mortality Review program community action team that reviews patterns of fetal and infant mortality in Northern New Jersey and works toward reducing the rate.

The couple’s stillborn baby was a girl who they named Madison. Christine explained that the nursing staff encouraged them to hold Madison and take photos with her because in their professional experience, these acts helped bereaved parents in their grieving process. Christine and Sid are grateful that they took the recommendation.

Harrison (Harry) Gupta

Jackson Gupta

The couple later welcomed their two wonderful boys. “Sid and I were both anxious about our subsequent pregnancies. Men are affected by this too and we sometimes forget that,” says Christine. “Going to support groups has been so helpful for us.” Support groups can be found at Overlook Medical Center, Morristown Medical Center and St. Barnabas Medical Center. Morristown Library also hosts a dad’s support group. And, for those who might not be ready to meet in person, Star Legacy Foundation has online support groups.

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We would like to thank Salerno Duane Inc. in Summit for bringing you this month’s cover story.