For those experiencing the loss of a child through miscarriage, still birth or just after birth - words cannot begin to describe the range of emotions a family experiences during a trial such as this. Sources on this page will help you find the love, support and encouragement to face your loss and grief and hopefully find the healing you desire. Do not be afraid to ask for help or to accept help that is offered in your time of grieving and healing.
Spiritual Encouragement
Where is God When...
Leanne Schutt shares her testimony of God's presence during the loss of a daughter at 18 weeks into her third pregnancy.
"My faith tells me that, in the midst of what I perceive as the upheaval of my life, God has everything under control. It tells me that he, more than anyone, feels my pain, understands the void my miscarriage left, and counts my tears. It reassures me I'm never alone. And it tells me that as long as I remain open to God, he'll continue rebuilding my heart—still, and ever-more, the heart of a mother—one piece at a time." -Laura L. Mills is a writer who lives in Illinois.
MEND:Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death
M.E.N.D. (Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death) is a Christian, non-profit organization that reaches out to families who have suffered the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant death.
After a miscarriage, a stillbirth or the death of an infant, well-meaning friends and family often advise, "You can always try again." But for a woman who has experienced such a heartbreaking loss, conceiving another child can be fraught with mixed emotions. Along with joy and hope come worries , questions, and often, renewed sorrow at the memory of her previous pregnancy. This guide, filled with up-to-date medical information and written by a woman who herself experienced a successful pregnancy after the loss of her first baby, can help. It offers guidance for women asking such questions as:
Why did it happen, and how can I make sure it doesn’t happen again?
Will my next pregnancy be considered high risk?
How long should I wait before getting pregnant again? And once I’m pregnant, should I put off sharing the news with other?
Should I keep the same doctor, go to the same hopsital, use the same baby things?
What can I expect at prenatal exams?
How can I cope with my anxiety?
Will I ever be able to love another baby as much as I loved the one I lost?
Pregnancy after a loss can be a time of great emotional upheaval, but, also, a time of healing and hope. With this sensible guide, women can ease their anxieties and learn to look forward to the future as they make peace with the past.
Pregnancy After a Loss is published by Berkley Books, a division of Penguin Putnam Inc., 375 Hudson St., New York, New York.
Pregnancy and birth are miraculous journeys. This amazing time of life is full of mystery, anticipation, joy, hope, and wonder. Feeling the powerful energy of birth and new life, watching as a new family is born unto each other. These things humble and amaze. These are the things that we celebrate when a baby is born.But there is another aspect of pregnancy and birth. There is an unexpected place in this journey where some families may find themselves. When a baby dies, a world is turned upside down. There is confusion, sadness, fear, and uncertainty that cannot be explained. There is sorrow where there should have been joy. During this time, it might be impossible for families to know what they might need in order to heal in the future.
This is the place where the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation gently provides a helping hand and a healing heart. For families overcome by grief and pain, the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of this organization. The soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their
You are still a mommy and a daddy and you are parents of a special child. Though not physically here, your angels have kissed the hearts of those surrounding you by your undying love for them.
Babies that died of SIDS, stillbirth, miscarriage and other tragic pregnancy losses all have stories to preserve and are still part of the family unit.
Just a Cloud Away Remembrance Kits allow grieving parents to create new family pictures. The Heaven and Earth page was intended to include living and deceased family members. The “Certificate of Love” page validates a precious life gone too soon. Families can participate in personalizing a deceased baby’s story, which began long before a positive pregnancy test.
The mission of Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support, Inc. is to serve those whose lives are touched by the tragic death of a baby through early pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or in the first few months of life.
Support for all who have suffered miscarriage and later child loss
I would like to extend my personal welcome to every one who visits SilentGrief.com. It is my prayer that you will find SilentGrief.com to be a safe place of healing, support, and hope during your time of grief, loneliness, and depression. Child loss, whether miscarriage, stillbirth, or older loss, is a pain like none other. It is my heartfelt desire that this will become your place to receive daily nourishment, friendship, and support for child loss so that you will never have to feel alone or silent in your grief again.
Jennifer J. Sillence Masino, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist specializing in Adult Clinical Psychology. She has a special interest in counseling mothers dealing with postpartum depression and anxiety issues. Jennifer is also experienced in counseling moms who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or loss of an infant or young child. She is one of the only counselors in this area I've found who is willing, knowledgeable and compassionate enough to work with a mom who has lost a child after birth. In addition to her clinical experience, Jennifer is also a mom to two young children - bringing an even deeper understanding of the ups and downs of life with small children.
She completed an APA approved predoctoral internship in clinical psychology at Wilford Hall Medical Center Lackland AFB, Texas. She received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University, where she researched cross-cultural issues in psychology. She has doctor of psychology and master's degrees in both psychology and social work. Her graduate work in Social Work emphasized the affect of gender, race, cultural and other environmental factors on patient issues. She earned her bachelor of science in psychology from Florida State University. She was a Clinical Psychologist on Active Duty with the United States Air Force for over 8 years, seeing a variety of issues including crisis intervention, trauma, grief, occupational problems, depression, and anxiety. She sees adults aged 17 and above. (FL Lic.# PY6559)
The Anchor Clinic
Destin Medical Arts Building 996 Airport Road Destin, FL 32541 Phone 850.650.0555 Fax 850.650.1955
