Pregnancy Loss Resources and Information
“Improving mental health is our priority” A picture is better than words; watch the tender, loving video on their website and you will better understand the photography. If, for whatever reason, you have experienced the loss of a preg- nancy, whenever it happened, there is help and support for you. children try to be supportive and not cause problems for the grieving mother or get overlooked at a time when they are grieving too. The father too may often be overlooked. Being the ‘strong one’, or in many cases perceived by society as such, he may attempt to set his grief aside to take care of everyone else. He still grieves as his mind goes to the loss for himself and his family. I know there are times when for whatever reason, people do not grieve the loss of a pregnancy. I know there are those who are forced to suck it up and keep on going as if nothing has happened, but at the same time no one truly knows what is going on in another person’s mind and heart when there is a pregnancy loss. An additional resource, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network (PAIL) is a registered Canadian charity committed to making a positive difference to those affected by pregnancy and infant loss. You can look for this important resource. ``Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep`` is an organization of trained, sensitive, caring volunteer photographers who are on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week to take pictures of children who have died prior to birth or within a year after birth. The quality of the end product is tasteful, beautiful and a way for the family to remember. SIDE NOTE: www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/families/ website info. This volunteer organization is in need of more photographers in the London, Ontario as of 2024. To some, this may seem to be morbid, but to a parent whose child has died these may be the only pictures they have and, for some women, this may be their only pregnancy.
by Barbara Gillett Saunders, Grief Counsellor Thanatologist I am opening the door on a topic of loss experienced by many but spoken of by few; if you are triggered by this article, I can offer supportive services and resources.
Many people are touched by pregnancy loss that can occur at any time during a pregnancy, from weeks to months and up to a year. The loss can be due to known or unknown medical reasons. From a grief perspective, pregnancy loss may go unspoken, but not forgotten. There is also a form of loss with amolar pregnancy, where the body displays all of the signs of pregnancy detectable on a pregnancy test, but the cells do not form a fetus. Imagine, thinking you are pregnant and then finding out there is no viable life. It is important to remember there may be, addition to the mother, involved others who may be experiencing this loss. I know different individuals experience loss in their own ways and often others would have no idea there is a grieving person in their midst. A potential grandmother may be grieving the loss of a pregnancy for a few reasons. She may be feeling helpless and unable to help her daughter, plus, she may be grieving the loss herself. Possibly, the potential grandmother had a pregnancy loss that is being triggered with this present loss and others may have no idea. If there are other children in the home who are aware of the pregnancy, they may be upset if the unborn child dies. Sometimes Hometown St. Thomas
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All articles written by Geoff Rae unless otherwise noted. Copy Editor – Peter Bloch-Hansen Publisher – Barb Botten barb@villagerpublications.com Graphic Artist – Cathy Wood We look forward to hearing from you. Copyright @ 2015 Villager Publications. All rights reserved. This magazine or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the Publisher. Information presented has been compiled from sources believed to be accurate at the time of printing however the Publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Geoffrey Rae Managing Editor / Sales Geoff@villagerpublications.com • 519-495-7177
Page 56 Hometown St. Thomas • April 2025
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