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| Her First Born | Robert Reid 1888 | Brooklyn Museum, New York |
But oh how unhelpful those first searches can be!
Conceiving Hope sometimes takes the form of helping others in their suffering.
I pray that this resource tab can provide you with a chance to find healing and hope in your own struggles.
If you ever have any feedback or additional resources that you would like to see listed here - please take a moment to use the Contact Form tab above to send me a quick email with the link to it.
I will definitely update this post to include anything that is provided to me.
Index
I. NaPro Doctor LocatorI. The Importance of Progesterone in Pregnancy
II. Liturgies, Memorials, and Church Teaching on Miscarriage
III. Ethics Regarding Infertility, Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Ectopic Pregnancy
IV. Statistics and Research
V. Books on Pregnancy Loss
VI. Books for Talking to Children about a Lost Sibling
VII. During Miscarriage
VIII. Memorials and Shrines for Your Child
IV. Goods and Gifts for Those Who Lost a Child
X. Prayers and Novenas for Fertility, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
XI. Saints for Intercession Related to Miscarriage and Infertility
XII. Scripture for Understanding, Comfort, Meditation, and Healing
XIII. Articles, Blogs, and Media
XIV. Specifically Regarding Men and Miscarriage
NaPro Doctor Locator
Since the FertilityCare website does not currently contain a map that shows the location of all of the NaPro MC's and Surgical Fellows (and most of what it does show is limited to US listings), I have compiled a map so that you can see their location and contact information, where available.
Medical Consultants are the red pins. Surgical Fellows are the yellow pins. Always double check the information you find on this map. If you see any information that needs to be updated, added, deleted, etc...feel free to send me a message on the Contact Form Tab and I'll be happy to make updates and changes to the map so that everyone can benefit from it. The source for *most* of this information can be found here.
Back to the Index
The Importance of Progesterone in Pregnancy
Background on NaPro evaluations for fertility or progesterone issues
The Role of Progesterone in Alleviating Post Partum Depression
Prematurity Prevention Program
Zones of Progesterone in Pregnancy and the Importance of Progesterone in Pregnancy (click on the graph to go directly to the source of this information)
Back to the Index
Liturgies, Memorials, and Church Teaching on Miscarriage
Order for the Naming and Commendation of an Infant Who Died Defore Birth This is a beautiful liturgy from the Archdiocese of St. Louis that was developed specifically to help parents memorialize their child after experiencing a loss. Of all my travels online, I have not found anything more perfect than this specific Mass offering. It is a true gem for those who need it. Even just reading through it is healing, knowing your child has a very specific, valued place in the Kingdom of God and in His Church.
Rite with Gather Hymnal Songs Included - Liturgy for children who died before Baptism, including selections from the Gather Hymnal.
Catholic Naming Ceremony - Rite for naming your child.
A Liturgy for a Miscarried Child - One priest's take on remembering children lost to miscarriage. I personally prefer the resource above this one, but they are a variation on a theme - and just like music, each person will prefer something a bit different.
What Does the Catholic Church Teach? - This article talks about what the Church teaches on infant loss, funerals, etc. It's a good resource to help process things, especially if you are hungry for a Catholic perspective. That said, this is written from a Layperson's perspective.
Catholic Resource for the Rite of an Unbaptized Child Who has Died (including miscarriage) - This is an actual rite, sourced from a priest in the Archdiocese of Cardiff
Celebrants Guide to Pastoral Care (Archdiocese of Cardiff) Surrounding Childbirth - This resource includes specific rites for before birth, stillbirth, and miscarriage. It includes an index with references in Canada, the USA, and the UK.
Suggested Pulpit and Bulletin Announcements For Miscarried and Stillborn Children - Parish resource for use regarding memorial Masses.
Suggested Intercessions for Mass Commemorating MIscarried and Stillborn Children - Parish resource for use in memorial Masses.
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Ethics Regarding Infertility, Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Ectopic Pregnancy
Reproductive Technology and Catholic Ethics - This article talks about the morality surrounding infertility treatments. This is a resource from the National Catholic Bioethics Center (written by their president).
Center for NaPro Ethics - This site discusses how NaPro approaches the ethical considerations of treatments regarding reproductive health.Humanae Vitae - Saint John Paul II's encyclical that inspired modern medical technology.
Ectopic Pregnancy and Medical Ethics - This article talks about the difference between directly causing the death of a child in treatment of ectopic pregnancy and treating the mother where indirect death of the child occurs. This resource quotes the National Catholic Bioethics Center.
Discernment for Ectopic Pregnancies - This article presents all sides of treating vs. not treating, and delves into prayerful discernment on the topic when given different treatment options.
Ectopic Pregnancy and Catholic Morality - This is a resource from the National Catholic Bioethics Center. It provides a very in-depth approach at the topic. This article discusses the morality of methotrexate administration in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy.
Anencephaly and Dignity of the Human Person - This article discusses the moral considerations regarding stillbirths of those born with severe genetic mutations.
Back to the Index
Statistics and Research
A Catholic ethical approach to human reproductive technology - Abstract discussing Catholic teaching on infertility treatment and reproductive technology are presented with emphasis given to the ethical need for children to be conceived and born of the marriage union compared with alternative ethical approaches for the use of infertility treatment and reproductive technology.
Stillbirth Research -On average, 109 babies are stillborn each day. That's a staggering 40,000 per year. This organization is dedicated to researching and educating on the topic of stillbirth and you and your child may be able to take part in this research.
Recurrent Miscarriage - A scientific look at the cause for recurrent miscarriages.
A Scientific Basis for Infertility - PPVI's analysis of the causes of infertility, as well as proposed treatments.
Back to the Index
During Miscarriage
Hospice Care - There are resources available in the event that you've had an adverse pregnancy diagnosis and you are expecting a miscarriage or stillborn. You can read more here.
What Your Child Will Look Like - This is a collection of photos that show actual miscarried and stillborn children from 5 weeks gestational age through full term. If you are laboring at home, it may be helpful to prepare yourself for what you are about to experience and see.
How to Navigate the Hospital- This resource talks about: What to pack, the birth plan, admissions and consent forms, how to deal with things not going the way you planned, how to process the hospital's treatment of you (good or bad).
The Physical Process of Loss - This resource talks about the Pros and Cons of all different types of medical intervention and management and how to deal with the physical part of the loss, step-by-step.
The Medical Terms - Part of going through a miscarriage involves a lot of very specific language that you may or may not be familiar. This resource spells out what everything means. Follow along on the left side of the page. I only recommend this page specifically for the list of definitions, not for anything else.
Specific to Stillbirth - This article talks about all the details of dealing with a stillbirth as it is happening. This includes definitions, laboring and delivery, time with your baby and after, the days that follow, and other important things to know.
Before You Leave the Hospital - This article talks about what happens in the first 12 hours following the death of your child and the considerations you will want to be aware of and focused on (as some of those moments are irreplaceable). This article aims to help you do, say, and experience things the way that works best for you by providing specific examples of things that may be important to you (in the moment or later).
A Letter to Medical Professionals - This article aims to provide resources to medical professionals that will help them help their patients before, during, and immediately following the loss of a child. By alleviating some of the burden from the parents, the medical professional can allow the parents time to figure out how to grieve and mourn the loss of their child, which are the first steps in the healing process.
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep - Photography available to you free of charge. Details on how this service works with your medical professional and FAQs can be found here.
Time With Your Baby - A secular article highlighting how to approach time with your child after the loss, either while still in the hospital or at home. Includes a printable pamphlet of things to do here.
How to Bathe a Stillborn Baby - This secular article will discuss ways to carefully bathe your stillborn child, as well as touch on final positioning of your child.
Naming Your Child - This is a link to Catholic Saint names alphabetically, by month, or by feast day.
Burial Considerations - Elizabeth Ministries provides low cost burial vessels for the funerals of miscarried children. This link is the order form.
Threads of Love - A Christian ministry with chapters all over the country that provides burial clothing for miscarried, sick, premature, or stillborn infants. There are chapters in the US, Canada, and some other international resources as well.
Urgent Baby Gown Form - This ministry, "NICU Helping Hands" has the capacity to help in urgent situations, in case your hospital does not have a gown available for you.
Coffins and Burial Vessels - Jill Stanek posted an article about this Catholic ministry. These coffins and burial vessels are organized by trimester. Sometimes hospitals require a coffin or container to release your child's remains to a funeral home or to you directly, so that's why I'm posting this resource here. With that said, speak to your priest first! Some funeral homes and some diocese are able to provide these kinds of resources for grieving parents, or partially subsidize these kinds of options.
Financial Help Related to Burying Your Child - They specifically work with Heaven's Gain to fund the purchase of caskets and burial costs, if you have a financial need for either or both. Skyler’s Gift Foundation provides mortuary and burial cost, grief counseling for the family (including siblings), support groups, and awareness in support of services that provide after-life care for families who have endured the loss of premature infants. Remember to talk to your parish first!
Drying Up Breast Milk - Though some mothers opt to donate their breast milk, others are eager to dry it up as soon as possible. It can be a difficult reminder of your loss. There is no right answer on which to do - this is entirely up to you. Do speak to your doctor or nurse about this process. In the meantime, this article provides some practical options for how to dry up milk that might have already come in if you need to do so.
Basic Questions and Answers - The Catholic response to the loss of a child, funerals, and what is and is not appropriate related to burial....from a Catholic ministry.
Creating a Memory Box - This secular resource reminds you that it isn't necessary to toil over a scrapbook to create a memory of your child's short life. As you learn to grieve this loss, there may be details that you will want to keep in a special place. Your hospital bracelet (or your child's), that onesie someone gave you as a gift, a blanket you knitted for your beloved child....all of these things are a part of your experience and the memories that you have of your child. Set aside a small box to keep all of these little keepsakes. You will want them in one place where you can anticipate finding them, encountering them, just being with them, and choosing when to go through them. And you will definitely want the flexibility to put them away when you need space from them. Memory boxes can be as plain or as elaborate as you need them to be. Some mothers have no hospital experience and no ultrasound, so a memory might be a poem or a picture taken with your spouse while you were pregnant. For now, just set things aside in one place.
Back to the Index
Books for Parents Experiencing a Loss
Mothers' Manual by Bart Tesoriero
There are many, many beautiful prayers in this small book. Some of them are listed here. You can purchase the booklet (very cheaply) online if you would like to read the rest. Here is a feel for what the book contains:
Prayer to Conceive
Prayer after a Miscarriage
Prayer at the Death of a Child
Prayer to a Child in Heaven
Hospice Care - There are resources available in the event that you've had an adverse pregnancy diagnosis and you are expecting a miscarriage or stillborn. You can read more here.
What Your Child Will Look Like - This is a collection of photos that show actual miscarried and stillborn children from 5 weeks gestational age through full term. If you are laboring at home, it may be helpful to prepare yourself for what you are about to experience and see.
How to Navigate the Hospital- This resource talks about: What to pack, the birth plan, admissions and consent forms, how to deal with things not going the way you planned, how to process the hospital's treatment of you (good or bad).
The Physical Process of Loss - This resource talks about the Pros and Cons of all different types of medical intervention and management and how to deal with the physical part of the loss, step-by-step.
The Medical Terms - Part of going through a miscarriage involves a lot of very specific language that you may or may not be familiar. This resource spells out what everything means. Follow along on the left side of the page. I only recommend this page specifically for the list of definitions, not for anything else.
Specific to Stillbirth - This article talks about all the details of dealing with a stillbirth as it is happening. This includes definitions, laboring and delivery, time with your baby and after, the days that follow, and other important things to know.
Before You Leave the Hospital - This article talks about what happens in the first 12 hours following the death of your child and the considerations you will want to be aware of and focused on (as some of those moments are irreplaceable). This article aims to help you do, say, and experience things the way that works best for you by providing specific examples of things that may be important to you (in the moment or later).
A Letter to Medical Professionals - This article aims to provide resources to medical professionals that will help them help their patients before, during, and immediately following the loss of a child. By alleviating some of the burden from the parents, the medical professional can allow the parents time to figure out how to grieve and mourn the loss of their child, which are the first steps in the healing process.
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep - Photography available to you free of charge. Details on how this service works with your medical professional and FAQs can be found here.
Time With Your Baby - A secular article highlighting how to approach time with your child after the loss, either while still in the hospital or at home. Includes a printable pamphlet of things to do here.
How to Bathe a Stillborn Baby - This secular article will discuss ways to carefully bathe your stillborn child, as well as touch on final positioning of your child.
Naming Your Child - This is a link to Catholic Saint names alphabetically, by month, or by feast day.
Burial Considerations - Elizabeth Ministries provides low cost burial vessels for the funerals of miscarried children. This link is the order form.
Threads of Love - A Christian ministry with chapters all over the country that provides burial clothing for miscarried, sick, premature, or stillborn infants. There are chapters in the US, Canada, and some other international resources as well.
Urgent Baby Gown Form - This ministry, "NICU Helping Hands" has the capacity to help in urgent situations, in case your hospital does not have a gown available for you.
Coffins and Burial Vessels - Jill Stanek posted an article about this Catholic ministry. These coffins and burial vessels are organized by trimester. Sometimes hospitals require a coffin or container to release your child's remains to a funeral home or to you directly, so that's why I'm posting this resource here. With that said, speak to your priest first! Some funeral homes and some diocese are able to provide these kinds of resources for grieving parents, or partially subsidize these kinds of options.
Financial Help Related to Burying Your Child - They specifically work with Heaven's Gain to fund the purchase of caskets and burial costs, if you have a financial need for either or both. Skyler’s Gift Foundation provides mortuary and burial cost, grief counseling for the family (including siblings), support groups, and awareness in support of services that provide after-life care for families who have endured the loss of premature infants. Remember to talk to your parish first!
Drying Up Breast Milk - Though some mothers opt to donate their breast milk, others are eager to dry it up as soon as possible. It can be a difficult reminder of your loss. There is no right answer on which to do - this is entirely up to you. Do speak to your doctor or nurse about this process. In the meantime, this article provides some practical options for how to dry up milk that might have already come in if you need to do so.
Basic Questions and Answers - The Catholic response to the loss of a child, funerals, and what is and is not appropriate related to burial....from a Catholic ministry.
Creating a Memory Box - This secular resource reminds you that it isn't necessary to toil over a scrapbook to create a memory of your child's short life. As you learn to grieve this loss, there may be details that you will want to keep in a special place. Your hospital bracelet (or your child's), that onesie someone gave you as a gift, a blanket you knitted for your beloved child....all of these things are a part of your experience and the memories that you have of your child. Set aside a small box to keep all of these little keepsakes. You will want them in one place where you can anticipate finding them, encountering them, just being with them, and choosing when to go through them. And you will definitely want the flexibility to put them away when you need space from them. Memory boxes can be as plain or as elaborate as you need them to be. Some mothers have no hospital experience and no ultrasound, so a memory might be a poem or a picture taken with your spouse while you were pregnant. For now, just set things aside in one place.
Back to the Index
Books for Parents Experiencing a Loss
Mothers' Manual by Bart TesorieroThere are many, many beautiful prayers in this small book. Some of them are listed here. You can purchase the booklet (very cheaply) online if you would like to read the rest. Here is a feel for what the book contains:
Prayer to Conceive
Prayer after a Miscarriage
Prayer at the Death of a Child
Prayer to a Child in Heaven
After Miscarriage: A Catholic Woman's Companion to Healing and Hope by Karen Edmisten
Angels in my Heart by Kathleen Olowin
A Silent Sorrow: Pregnancy Loss - Guidance and Support for you and your Family by Ingrid Kohn and Perry-Lynn Moffitt
Empty Cradle, Broken Heart: Surviving the Death of your Baby by Deborah L. Davis
When Hello Means Goodbye by Paul Kirk
When a Pregnancy Ends in Miscarriage by Rose Carlson
Books for Talking to Children About a Lost Sibling
Something Happened: A Book for Children and Parents who have experienced Pregnancy Loss by Cathy Blanford
Someone Came Before You by Pat Schwiebert
We were going to have a Baby, but we had an Angel instead by Pat Schwiebert
Back to the Index
Memorials and Shrines for Your Child
The Shrine of the Holy Innocents, Book of Life (New York City) - I found this one particularly wonderful.
Shrine of the Holy Innocents at Eden Hill, Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception (Stockbridge, MA)
Memorial Garden Ideas on Pinterest
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation "administers a network of more than 12,000 volunteer photographers in the United States and 40 countries. At a family's request, a NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer will come to your hospital or hospice location and conduct a sensitive and private portrait session. The portraits are then professionally retouched and presented to the families on an archival DVD or CD that can be used to print portraits of their cherished baby." --from their website.
Navigating Birthdays and Anniversaries - This secular link discusses ways to mark these difficult occasions in a way that is meaningful and healing to you and your family.
Back to the Index
Prayers and Novenas for Fertility, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
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| A Fertility Blessing Source: polkadot |
St. Gerard Novena - This novena includes background on the life of St. Gerard Majella. This novena is specifically for those hoping to conceive, having trouble conceiving, experiencing miscarriage, recurrent loss, stillbirth, and all things related to trying to conceive and the difficulties encountered. St. Gerard, Pray for Us.
Saints Ann and Joachim Novena - This novena includes background on the life of both saints, maternal grandparents of Jesus. It's a pretty powerful novena for all family members in all circumstances of loss.
Salvifici Doloris - This is the Vatican text from Saint John Paul II's Apostolic Letter on Suffering.
Meditation on the Seven Sorrows of Mary - This is a beautiful prayer card you can print out if you like.
The Book of Job on USCCB - We are not called to compare, but reading Scripture can be comforting when we are suffering things that are out of our control.
St. David's Infertility Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for all the blessings in my life. Help me to remember them as I face the challenges of infertility. I pray that I can surrender myself into your hands. Let me accept the reality of this situation and have the wisdom and courage to take action where I can. Strengthen my body, mind and spirit to endure the trials of infertility. Keep me ever mindful of the needs of others and grant us your peace. Amen.
Prayer to St. Gerard
O good St. Gerard,
powerful intercessor before God
and wonder-worker of our day,
I call on you and seek your help.
You who on earth did always fulfill God's design,
help me to do the Holy Will of God.
Beseech the Master of Life,
from whom all paternity proceeded,
to make me fruitful in offspring,
that I may raise up children to God in this life
and heirs to the Kingdom of His glory
in the world to come. Amen.
The Prayer of Abandonment
Father,
I abandon myself into your hands;
do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you:
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me,
and in all your creatures
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands I commend my soul:
I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.
~Blessed Charles de Foucauld
Prayer for the Death of a Child - This prayer resource comes from the Online Ministries @ Creighton University and lists several different (and very specific) prayers for Mothers involving different roles in life, parenting, and loss.
Prayer to Conceive, from Mothers' Manual by Bart Tesoriero
Heavenly Father, for You all things are possible. In Your Word You tell us: "Children too are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb, His reward." -Psalm 127:3
O Father, I trust in You and in Your unconditional love for us. I believe that You will hear my prayer, offered through the intercession of your Mother Mary. I believe that you You will answer me according to Your Divine Will, for You have promised to give us the desires of our heart as we delight in You. O Lord, increase in us always the presence and power of Your Divine Life. Thank You for Your mercy, grace, peace, and provision. In Jesus's name. Amen.
Mother of mothers, pray for us!
Dear Mother Mary, you received from God the treasured blessing of divine motherhood. In the name of the joys you knew when you pressed your beloved Baby to your breast, please hear and bless my petition! You are the Mother of Mothers and you hold Motherhood very dear. You know the great and real dignity of motherhood. You know the great privilege of bringing into this world a new soul destined to praise God forever in heaven. Dear Mother, I ask that through your intercession God would grant to me and my husband the grace to conceive a child.
Prayer after a Miscarriage, from Mothers' Manual by Bart Tesoriero
O heavenly Father, You know what is best for us always. Perhaps my child would have suffered greatly in life, or wasn't ready yet to come into the world. I ask you, dear God, to please send Your mercy on all parents who are experiencing the loss and pain of a miscarriage and console them with the sure certainty that they will see their little treasure again.
I admit I feel some fear for the future, an apprehension that this could happen again. Nevertheless, O Lord, I put my trust in You. You are the God who heals me; You are the Good Shepherd who will neither leave me nor forsake me, so I am at peace. Please kiss my little angel, and tell my child I yearn for the day we will be together again, with You, in the Kingdom of heaven.
O Lord, grant my husband and me the grace according to Your Will to conceive again. Help us continue to make our home a welcoming place for all life.
Jesus, Comforter of all who mourn, we put our trust in You. Amen.
Dear Mother Mary, I come before you today with a heavy heart. I have lost the beautiful child from within my womb, the child God gave me. I do not want to accept this, yet I bring my sorrow to you, O Mother of Sorrows, because you understand. I am filled with a deep sadness, O Mary, and I cry sometimes silently for this my beloved little one, now with you. O Mary, I feel so alone, although my family and friends do their best to comfort me. Still, I trust God, even when I don't understand.
Prayer at the Death of a Child, from Mothers' Manual by Bart Tesoriero
O Mary, I don't understand why God has allowed this sorrow to come into my life. However, I trust Him as my loving Father Who knows what is best for me. O Mother Mary, help me put all my trust in Him. Please take my child now under your mantle, and hold him/her close to your heart. Please pray that God will give my family and me His grace and strength to carry on. May I, like you, O Mother, be faithful to the end. Amen.
O most sorrowful Mother, my child is gone, and what can I say? I feel so lonely, so sad; I miss my child so very much. O dear Mother, I just want to run into your arms and your consoling embrace. I need the comfort of your sorrowful heart. I have lost my child, the light of my eyes, just as you lost your Son, Jesus, when He died on the cross for us.
Back to the Index
Saints for Intercession Related to Miscarriage and Infertility
Saint Brigid of Kildare (Patron Saint of babies) - Feast Day February 1
Saint Catherine of Siena (Patron Saint of Miscarriage and Miscarriage Prevention) - Feast Day April 29
Saint Catherine of Sweden (Patron Saint of Protection against Miscarriage) - Feast Day March 24
Saint Colette (Patron Saint of Stillbirth, Women seeking to conceive, expectant mothers and sick children) - Feast Day February 7 or March 6
Saint Eulalia (Patron Saint of Protection against Miscarriage) - Feast Day December 10
Saint Gerard Majella (Patron Saint of Expectant Mothers) - Feast Day September 29
Saint Gianna Beretta Molla (Doctor/mother who suffered two miscarriages, and died for another child to be born) - Feast Day April 28
Saint Catherine of Sweden (Patron Saint of Protection against Miscarriage) - Feast Day March 24
Saint Colette (Patron Saint of Stillbirth, Women seeking to conceive, expectant mothers and sick children) - Feast Day February 7 or March 6
Saint Eulalia (Patron Saint of Protection against Miscarriage) - Feast Day December 10
Saint Gerard Majella (Patron Saint of Expectant Mothers) - Feast Day September 29
Saint Gianna Beretta Molla (Doctor/mother who suffered two miscarriages, and died for another child to be born) - Feast Day April 28
Saint Hannah (Patron Saint of infertile women and childless wives) - Feast Day December 9
Saint Philomena (Patron Saint of Children, infants, babies, sterility) - Feast Day August 11
Back to the Index
Scripture For Understanding, Comfort, Meditation, and Healing
Other Helpful Passages:
"I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.” Then they worshiped there before the LORD. "
"For in death there is no remembrance of you. Who praises you in Sheol? I am wearied with sighing;
all night long I drench my bed with tears; I soak my couch with weeping. My eyes are dimmed with sorrow, worn out because of all my foes. Away from me, all who do evil! The LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD will receive my prayer."
all night long I drench my bed with tears; I soak my couch with weeping. My eyes are dimmed with sorrow, worn out because of all my foes. Away from me, all who do evil! The LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD will receive my prayer."
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me."
"The righteous cry out, the LORD hears and he rescues them from all their afflictions.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed. Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all."
"Just as you do not know how the life breath enters the human frame in the mother’s womb, So you do not know the work of God, who is working in everything."
"Do not court death by your erring way of life, nor draw to yourselves destruction by the works of your hands. Because God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living. For he fashioned all things that they might have being, and the creatures of the world are wholesome; There is not a destructive drug among them nor any domain of Hades on earth, For righteousness is undying."
My soul is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is; I tell myself my future is lost,
all that I hoped for from the Lord. But I will call this to mind, as my reason to have hope:
The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent; They are renewed each morning,
so great is his faithfulness. My portion is the Lord, says my soul; therefore I will hope in him.
all that I hoped for from the Lord. But I will call this to mind, as my reason to have hope:
The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent; They are renewed each morning,
so great is his faithfulness. My portion is the Lord, says my soul; therefore I will hope in him.
"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words."
"I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them [as their God]. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away.” The one who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then he said, “Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true.” He said to me, “They are accomplished. I [am] the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son."Back to the Index
Articles, Blogs, Support, and Media
When a Baby Dies - One couple’s experience helps others know they can bury their child after a miscarriage
How to Stop the Baby-Related Mail and Solicitations - An often overlooked element of child loss, but so important for your emotional well-being. Delegate this one out if necessary.
Morning Light Ministry - This is a Catholic ministry for bereaved mothers and bereaved fathers who have experienced the death of their baby through ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death up to one year old.
The Apostolate of Hannah's Tears - They offer prayer support and comfort to the
brokenhearted who suffer the pains of infertility at any stage of life,
difficult pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, the loss of a child and
the adoption process5 Types of Pregnancy Loss Guilt - A look at the most common internal dialogue we all share, though it may remain mostly unspoken.
The Official Site of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day - October 15th every year.
Death and Grieving - Catholic resources for Scripture, Catechism, and Readings on the grieving process.
Grief vs. Mourning - A brief blog post about the distinction between the two and how grief actually feels.
An Open Letter to Women (and Men) Who Have Lost Children, and Those Who Know Them - A beautiful reflection, accompanied by a beautiful and heartwrenching painting from the 19th century.
Why Miscarriage Matters When You're Pro-Life - This is hands-down the best article I've ever read on the topic. Abortion and miscarriage are discussed here, so guard your heart. I walked away from this article feeling even more pro-life than I was before I read it. It just resonated with me on every level and I hope it might do the same for you.
11 Things You Should Know About Grief - Discusses grief and the loss of a child and how spouses approach it differently. (The website itself has an entire section devoted to just child loss here.)
Pregnancy After Loss - One woman's experience with multiple losses and being pregnant after loss.
Miscarriage - One Catholic woman's experience. This comes from ForYourMarriage.org
5 Myths about Miscarriage - This article discusses 5 common myths: Miscarriage is rare, Children in limbo without baptism, Naming children for only late term or stillborn babies, Parents dread people mentioning their loss, The earlier the miscarriage, the less attached and easier to move on.
How to Handle Miscarriage from a Christian Perspective - Just as it says, this article talks about things you can do for those experiencing a loss, things you can do during a loss, and ways to process afterwards. Just one mother's blog about the topic, but I found it compelling.
Siblings That You Never Knew - This is an article about one writer's experience with miscarriage in her own family and learning about siblings she never knew she had.
Family and Friends - This is an article giving practical advice on what to do and say - and more importantly what *not* to do and say after a miscarriage. This post is written from an Orthodox perspective.
A video from EWTN's Gospel of Life (June 2008, with Fr. Frank Pavone) discussing miscarriage with a husband and wife who experienced it, and their difficulties in particular with their hospital experience.
STILL - A secular movie about infant loss and processing the experience and recognizing your child's life.
Losing Alex - An ebook about miscarriage and stillbirth from one mother's perspective.
Life After The Death of a Child - This entire site is focused on beautiful, meaningful ways to process your grief and heal. The artist focuses on art, and quotes - mainly beach themed.
Faces of Loss - This secular site contains hundreds of womens' stories about their experience with loss. From multiple losses, to early miscarriage, to genetic syndromes...there is an experience that most everyone can relate to on this site.
Naming the Child - A spiritual site focused on sharing your experience with infant losses of all kinds.
Back to the Index
Specifically Regarding Men and Miscarriage
One father's story involving miscarriage - A blog post from one father telling his story of loss.
How a Man Handles Miscarriage - from the Art of Manliness
A Miscarriage Information Guide for Men - What it is, what your wife is experiencing, identifying the feelings, and how your experience is valid and necessary in the healing process. This is a resource from the UK based Miscarriage Association as a resource for men.
Men Dealing With Miscarriage - This article explains how men and women process the loss of a child differently.
Psychological Perspective - This article talks about the privacy and duration of grief from the loss of a child.
The "M" Word, Coping with Miscarriage - An article by fathers about loss, how to cope, and how to strengthen your marriage after loss.
Prayers for Fathers - Prayer resource from the Online Ministries @ Creighton University for all roles of fathers, loss, and difficulties.
Male Fertility Concerns - This is a resource from PPVI.
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Goods and Gifts for Those Who Have Lost a Child
I would like to stress that I do not support any particular store or resource, nor do I receive any compensation for linking them here. I mostly just want someone to be able to find the things that will be meaningful to them - in one place - without having to dive through the entire internet and through everything pregnancy-related that will invariably pop up in their G.oogle searches and subsequent ads for months afterwards. I hope these help provide comfort in a difficult time. There are plenty other gifts and keepsakes available online, so this list is not exhaustive by any means.
St. Catherine of Sweden Miscarriage Medal and Prayer Card
Sympathy cards specific to Miscarriage Stone and Resin Memorial Garden Statues
Etsy Handmade Pregnancy Loss Cards
Bronze and Stone Memorial Garden Statues
Memorial Garden makings for your child
A necklace that contains your baby's heartbeat, if you had an ultrasound or doppler
Christmas Ornaments and Snowglobes
Handmade, personalized ornaments on Etsy
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(Most of the resources above can be accessed online. That said, some
of the resources can be purchased online and you may wish to do
that. While I take no benefit from any purchase arising from any links
you follow here, PPVI can definitely use your support! If any of the
resources are available on Amazon, please consider supporting Pope Paul
VI Institute by using this link before you shop - or click on the image to the left - and Amazon will donate
.5% of your purchase in support of PPVI when you use that link.)
What an amazing resource! Thank you for compiling this and I will share it on my blog FB page. God Bless!
ReplyDeleteFabulous resource! Well done!
ReplyDeleteThis is phenomenal. I will link it up on our website!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouragement, everyone. Yes - please share and link away!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for compiling this! It's probably one of the most comprehensive lists I've found thus far.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this information! excellent job! thanks to you I found a napro doctor! I didn't know we have Napro doctors in Mexico. Not near my city by we have just started using napro and creighton model! :) thanks and God Bless you! this is like prayer answered!
ReplyDelete