Baby Remembrance: Grieving after a Miscarriage
Miscarriages are all too common and create an enormous amount of grief in households each year. If you and your spouse are dealing with the loss of a child due to miscarriage, you may be unsure as to how to mourn and more importantly how to remember the little life that was such a powerful part of your life for a time. Here are some suggestions you may find encouraging:
1. Save something from the experience. Some couples feel that keeping an ultrasound picture or a “congratulations†card in the family’s memory book can help them remember that time in their life and honor the life of the child.
2. Hold a memorial service. No matter how long you had your baby, it was still a part of your lives and it may help to acknowledge the baby publicly. It may also help you to mourn with family and friends and express your appreciation for their support during this difficult time.
3. Keep an online memorial. Online memorials are becoming more popular and allow families to express their grief and love for those they have lost in a way that is comfortable to them. An online memorial page can serve as a long-lasting tribute to the baby and can help you write out how you feel. Online tributes have the added affect of sharing your thoughts, feelings and ways of coping with others who may be experiencing the same.
4. Donate to a cause. Giving of yourself helps by providing others with the love and fulfillment that your baby provided you. You can give your time, money or special gifts to a cause of your choosing, one that may have been particularly helpful for you when you were pregnant or grieving.
Some suggestions in this piece were taken from an article “Remembering Baby†by Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE.