Perinatal Loss
If you have suffered the loss of a pregnancy (at any gestation) or infant, we are so very sorry. But we are glad you found us, and we want you to know that you are not alone.
Pregnancy Loss Occurs in ONE out of EVERY FOUR Women
It is more common than people think, but because it is not openly discussed, people often suffer alone, believing that they do not have anyone in their circles who can understand. In addition, the loss of a pregnancy or infant is often not acknowledged by our society as a death, nor given the same level of importance as the loss of a child or adult. This results in families perceiving a lack of support for the grief process, and for observing rituals such as memorial services. For these reasons, it is important for you to connect to this community, and it would be our honor to guide and support you.
Support Through Groups
The loss of a baby can leave you feeling very alone. Connecting with others who are walking this journey is an important part of the grief process. Support groups provide an atmosphere where parents can come together and share their feelings about their loss, learn about the grief process and receive emotional support from others with similar experiences.
The loss of a baby can leave you feeling very alone. Connecting with others who are walking this journey is an important part of the grief process. Support groups provide an atmosphere where parents can come together and share their feelings about their loss, learn about the grief process and receive emotional support from others with similar experiences.
All support groups offered by the Northside Hospital H.E.A.R.T.strings Perinatal Bereavement & Palliative Care are open to the community. There is no charge to attend. For more information about any support groups we offer, click on the button above or contact us.
What is perinatal loss?
There are a variety of ways to define perinatal loss, but we encourage you to use whatever terminology feels most comfortable to you. Here are some tips we've put together:
1) You may find that none of the clinical terms feel "right" or comforting to you. These include "miscarriage” or “stillbirth”. Some parents use words or phrases that are more sensitive or reassuring to them or that they feel better describes what happened to their baby. We have found that giving a simple, direct, and honest explanation is often best for everyone. It's perfectly okay to say, "Our baby died."
2) The intensity of grief is usually associated with when the connection and attachment to the pregnancy and the baby began, not the length of the pregnancy or the type of loss. Parents can be just as devastated if the loss occurred at 5 weeks gestation as if it had occurred at 25 weeks gestation, full-term, or 6 days after delivery.
3) Try not to compare your grief to that of another person. There is no such thing as a "better" kind of loss. They are all heartbreaking and painful.
4) You have a right to grieve. No matter how far along you are or how young or old your baby was. You also have the right to grieve in your own way and in your own time.
Acknowledging your loss, regardless of the gestational age or how long your baby lived, is an important first step. Your grief is unique to you, and you have a right to experience it in your own way, and at your own pace. We encourage you to begin by reviewing the Mourner’s Bill of Rights.
