Helping Families Who Have Lost Infants Through the Grieving Process
Your loss is unique, and so is the pain you experience. With early pregnancy
loss, stillbirth, or newborn death comes feelings of helplessness, shock,
numbness, and often low self-esteem and guilt.
Grief is a difficult and very personal journey. Although losses occur every
year, yours is individual to you and your circumstances. It's important
to make an effort to not compare your feelings of loss to the experiences
of others.
Families who experience the death of a baby during pregnancy or shortly
after birth grieve for their baby and the loss of a lifetime with their child.
Upcoming Events
The Annual "Walk to Remember" memorial walk is held the first
Sunday of October. The Walk starts by the large pine tree at San Angelo
City Part (corner of Twohig and Magdalen) and proceeds to the Baby's Rose
Garden at the Shannon Women's & Children's building for a ceremony
in honor of these special babies and families.
Grief is a normal process that continues far beyond the loss of your baby.
Recognize that while multiple family members are grieving the same loss,
no two individuals will grieve the same. Respect the differences in each
other as you journey toward healing.
You may wonder if you are grieving "normally." There is no normal
way to grieve. However, if you have concerns about how you are doing,
there are many resources available, including the White Rose coordinator,
chaplain, social worker, licensed professional counselors, physicians,
and support groups, to name a few.
How Others Respond
After your loss, people may not know how to act around you. They may be
fearful of saying something to upset you. Others may say things with good
intent that end up hurting you. It helps to listen to the kindness they
meant to share.
You may need to tell friends and family that it is OK for them to cry,
and it's OK to say your baby's name and talk about him or her like any
other child. You can tell them you will not feel hurt when they talk about
your baby. Instead, they are bringing honor to you and the child you lost
by talking about them.
Helping You Reach a New Normal
Most often, parents wonder, "When will I be normal again?" The
death of a baby is not something you simply get over. With time and the
support of others, you will find a new normal. You and your family will
move forward, and you may someday welcome a new joy into your life, but
you will forever hold in your heart the little one you lost — and
that's perfectly OK.
Support & Resources
We hope the available materials will help you through this difficult time.
We also understand cultural beliefs can vary. Please use this information
in a way that fits with your beliefs and feels comfortable to you.
We are here for you. Please contact Robyn Tucker, White Rose Coordinator, at
325.747.6332.
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