Pregnancy & Infant Loss Resources
In this blog, we will delve into some essential resources that can help navigate the challenging journey of pregnancy and infant loss. The list includes books, memoirs, and podcasts that offer invaluable support, guidance, and companionship while bearing the unbearable.
Books for Parents:
I Had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, a Movement By Jessica Zucker
In her memoir, Psychologist Jessica Zucker shares her miscarriage story and how it changed the way she viewed her work in maternal mental health. Through her words and the stories of other women, she simultaneously validates all the emotions that come with a pregnancy loss while sparking a mission to break the stigma and shame that surrounds it.
Not Broken: An Approachable Guide to Miscarriage and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss By Lora Shahine
Written by Reproductive Endocrinologist, Lora Shahine, Not Broken serves as a comprehensive guide for parents struggling with miscarriage or recurrent pregnancy loss. She compares common practices surrounding miscarriage in Western and Eastern medicine, and empowers parents to be their own advocate.
Hard to Bear by Isabelle Oderberg
Miscarriage is incredibly common, yet far too often dismissed or mismanaged in all iterations of care. Hard to Bear combines personal stories, with in-depth investigative journalism to help us understand how the system is letting women down, and what we can do to change it. A validating read.
The Miscarriage Map Workbook: What To Expect When You Are No Longer Expecting By Sunita Osborn
Honest. Authentic. 100% Relatable. Using both her personal miscarriage experience and her expertise, Psychologist Sunita Osborn offers a workbook that empowers women to move forward, not on, after pregnancy loss.
Still a Mum by Meagan Donaldson
Still a Mum is a story about loss, life and love and finding joy again after heartbreak. Shining a spotlight on the stigma that still exists around pregnancy loss, not just for the parents but for other family members as well. This book helps find strength through pain and supports the experience of parenthood through a unique lens.
Books for Siblings
These books serve to assist siblings in understanding and processing the grief associated with pregnancy and infant loss.
We Had To Say Goodbye Before We Even Met By Irene Teague
The book is based on author and Clinical Psychologist, Irene Teague’s, own experience. It aims to help normalise these emotions for young kids and offers tips for how parents can support their little ones (along with themselves) as they process their grief.
My Sibling Still By Megan Lacourrege
My Sibling Still is written as a love letter from a sibling lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death to any surviving siblings.
My Sibling Above by Mikhailla Fitzgerald
This is a book to guide children gently through the story of loss and speak freely about those who are loved and adored, though are no longer here.
Podcasts
The Worst Girl Gang Ever: A real, honest, and emotive podcast that covers the heartbreaking subject of miscarriage, infertility, and baby loss, expect honest conversations about unspoken experiences.
The Glimmer Podcast: For fellow grieving families who have suffered pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or neonatal death. The mission of this podcast is to assist you to come through this cruel twist of fate, with as much psychological fortitude, compassion for yourself, and connection with others as possible.
The Miscarriage Rebellion Podcast: Hear stories of Australian families who have experienced the devastation of early pregnancy loss. With evidence an empathy, experts also provide insight into the challenges that are faced throughout the journey.
Stillbirth Happens - Let's Talk: Hosted by bereaved mothers, this podcast features stories of lived experience, exploring grief, hospital experiences, and life after loss.
Still A Part of Us: A podcast where parents share the birth stories of children who were stillborn or died in infancy, fostering a sense of community.
The Empty Arms Podcast: Dedicated to supporting loss parents through the emotional landscape of pregnancy and infant loss with heartfelt conversations.
Podcasts Focused on Dads and Families:
Brothers in Baby Loss: Founded by four bereaved dads, focusing on honest discussions for men dealing with baby loss.
Dads Still Standing Podcast: Features Liam and Matt discussing their experiences, aimed at supporting other dads.
Still Parents: Discusses how fathers cope with the loss of a child.
Puddle Jumping (episode on Stillbirth Happens): Focuses on the experience of siblings in a household touched by stillbirth.
Remember, you are not alone - there is a community out there that understands and supports you. @littlematterscanberra
