Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death Resources
Help for the Immediate Crisis
Return to Zero H.O.P.E., provides information regarding needs at the hospital, grief reactions, trauma, and resources for more support.
Navigating the Unknown: An Immediate Guide When Experiencing the Loss of Your Baby, by Amie Lands. Available as an e-book or paperback, it addresses the many specific demands and decisions of a perinatal loss crisis, including telling family members, needs at the hospital, what to do with the baby’s things, and general information regarding grief and coping. It includes an extensive appendix with information regarding after-death arrangements, books, and other resources for emotional and physical needs after the loss of a baby.
Blogs
Stirrup Queens, https://www.stirrup-queens.com/a-whole-lot-of-blogging-brought-to-you-sorted-and-filed
Melissa Ford’s website of sorted and filed blogs on adoption, loss, and infertility with specific subsections addressing a vast number of topics within these areas.
Still Standing Magazine, https://stillstandingmag.com
For all who are grieving child loss and infertility.
Reconceiving Loss, https://reconceivingloss.com
A public forum for personal stories, artwork, and articles on the topic of baby loss, grief, and healing. Option for private support services.
Glow in the Woods, http://www.glowinthewoods.com
For babylost mothers and fathers.
Modern Loss, https://modernloss.com
Candid conversations about grief. Brief essays about a variety of types of loss, with sections specific to child loss, miscarriage, and stillbirth.
Support Groups
Groups – East Bay Area
- SAND (Support After Neonatal Death) Twice a month drop-in support group for anyone who has experienced a perinatal loss from early miscarriage to soon after delivery. Berkeley (510) 204-1571
- “Beyond Choice”- Twice a month support group for those who have had a termination due to prenatal diagnosis North Oakland (510) 845-4656
- Groups- San Francisco
- HAND of San Francisco (Helping After Neonatal Death) Twice a month free drop-in support group for those who have experienced a pregnancy or neonatal loss, at the Davies campus CPMC. Call (415) 282-7330 and go to www.HANDsupport.com
- Pregnancy After Loss Support Group- Monthly drop-in group for individuals or couples who are pregnant after loss. CPMC campus. (415) 600-2229
Online Support Groups
MISS Foundation
https://missfoundation.org/support/support-services
Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support
http://nationalshare.org/online-support
Star Legacy Foundation
https://starlegacyfoundation.org/support-groups
Retreats
Return to Zero H.O.P.E.
Faith’s Lodge
Golden Willow Retreat
https://goldenwillowretreat.com
Conferences
International Perinatal Bereavement Conference, sponsored by Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death Alliance (PLIDA) and is held biennially. Attended by professionals and parent advocates.
Stillbirth Summit, sponsored by the Star Legacy Foundation. Attended by professionals and parents.
Organizations
American Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Institute
Provides education, answers to parents’ questions, and support for research.
Disease Info Search
https://www.diseaseinfosearch.org
A source for both information on diseases and the related support groups.
Perinatal Hospice and Palliative Care
https://www.perinatalhospice.org
Resources and support when your baby’s life is expected to be brief.
Pregnancy After Loss Support (PALS)
https://pregnancyafterlosssupport.com
Resources and support for pregnancy after loss.
Resolve National Infertility Association
Resources and support regarding infertility causes and treatment needs.
Return to Zero H.O.P.E.
Resources, social support, and informed professional care for families who have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss.
Books
Memoirs
An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination, by Elizabeth McCracken
Ghostbelly, by Elizabeth Heineman
Holding Silvan, by Monica Wesolowska
Poor Your Soul, by Mira Ptacin
The Rules Do Not Apply, by Ariel Levy
Vessels: A Love Story, by Daniel Raeburn
Perinatal Loss
A Time to Decide, a Time to Heal, by Molly Minnick and Kathleen Delp
The Prenatal Bombshell: Help and Hope When Continuing or Ending a Precious Pregnancy After an Abnormal Diagnosis, by Stephanie Azri and Sherokee Ilse
Empty Cradle, Broken Heart: Surviving the Death of Your Baby, by Deborah Davis
Healing Your Grieving Heart After Stillbirth and Healing Your Grieving Heart After Miscarriage, by Alan D. Wolfelt
Social and Political
Motherhood Lost: A Feminist Account of Pregnancy Loss in America, by Linda Layne
Reproductive Injustice: Racism, Pregnancy, and Premature Birth, by Dána-Ain Davis
Reproductive Losses: Challenges to LGBTQ Family-Making, by Christa Craven
Memorials
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss awareness month. There tends to be more activity in the form of memorials, retreats, and conferences at that time. You may want to inquire at your local hospital or search online regarding such events in your area.
Bay Area Memorials
- Piedmont: Sponsored by Alta Bates “Walk to Remember: Memorial Service for Pregnancy and Infant Loss” 510-204-1762
- Walnut Creek: Sponsored by John Muir Medical Center “A Place to Remember: a Remembrance Ceremony for Babies who Have Gone Too Soon”, register at www.johnmuirhealth.com/classes or by calling 925-941-7900