Tag: infant loss

Pregnancy Loss Support

Just because pregnancy loss is common, does not make it easy.

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and a time for remembering the smallest footprints on our hearts. Pregnancy loss isn’t something that we regularly talk about in our culture, so the regularity of it is often hidden. Everyone should know that one in four pregnancies ends in a loss.

Grief is a nebulous complex journey, and you don’t have to go it alone. Locally we have Emalyn’s Angels which is an outstanding organization dedicated to making sure parents don’t have to travel the path of grief alone. Speaking the names of their names and remembering them can be especially helpful for parents too.

I have also been so thankful for Chrissy Teigen & John Legend speaking out about their pregnancy loss. What a blessing they are to share their raw and real emotions. They are surely helping end the stigma of talking about pregnancy loss. We have been following their story and sending our love there way. They are so great at using their platform and images to push for change and acceptance. Speaking of photography: Did you know that there is a company that will send a free specially trained photographer for your baby born sleeping?

The complicated feelings that follow loss can be so challenging to navigate. That’s why one of the complimentary services we offer is Miscarriage & Stillbirth Support for both prenatal and postpartum. If you are facing a delivery knowing that you won’t take your baby home with you, we would be happy to meet with you to talk about your expectations and walk you through your options. Want to know what it could be like and what you can ask for? We will walk through it. We also offer postpartum support to help you find resources, talk about your experiences, and explore comfort techniques that might help during your grief especially. Please reach out to us if this is something you are interested in for your family.

I will never forget the brief lives of Ruby Grace and Desmond Truman. They were gone too soon, but most definitely left impressions on my doula heart. For all the beautiful births of babies that I get to attend, there are always those phone calls that break my heart too. When I know that a client is experiencing a pregnancy loss, I know that there is truly nothing that will bring them comfort in that moment. But doulas hold the space for pregnancy loss too, because that is what we do.

I Remember

October 15th is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

I remember the overwhelming feeling of gut-wrenching sadness that washed over me when I saw your parents faces knowing that they were not going to get to meet you because you were already gone.

I remember being so worried that I would say the wrong thing to them, when holding space for their experience and pain was really the most important thing I could do.

I remember seeing your sweet face that looked like them, counting your toes, and learning words I never wanted to need to know.

I remember crying right along with your parents and almost every single other person in that room as the pain of wondering what could have been leaked out of our eyes.

I remember that you were so LOVED. We all couldn’t stop looking at your beautiful face.

I remember the sobs that followed when you left the room so the nurse could get you wrapped in a blanket. Bless those amazing nurses for walking this path with families far more often than I ever have had to and with exemplary grace and reverence.

I remember realizing that birth and death are so much more closely linked than I ever realized before you were born sleeping, and I will always feel bonded to your parents in a way that we never would have wished. You were love and abject sorrow wrapped in a tiny baby blanket, and we were all changed by you. Your footprints will forever be on my heart.

October 15th is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, and today we remember all the families who have suffered one of the most tremendous losses imaginable. As a doula, I am honored to hold space for you.

I remember RG & DT!

1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss.

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

Who do you remember?