New Books For Lending Library

Today the CARE program added a few more books to the Lending Library.

• I Never Held You (Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery) by Ellen M. DuBois
• Miscarriage (A Mans Book) by Rick Wheat
• A Guide for Fathers(When a Baby Dies) by Tim Nelson
• Another Baby? Maybe.....(30 questions on Pregnancy After Loss) by Sherokee Ilse & Maribeth Wilder Doerr
• When Pregnancy Follows a Loss (Preparing for the birth of your new baby) by Joann O'Leary & Clare Throrwick
• The Anguish of Loss ( A grief journey of love and hope) by Julie Fritsch with Sherokee Ilse
• Couple Communication After A Baby Dies ( Differing Perspectives) by Sherokee Ilse& Tim Nelson
• Dear Cheyenne (A book for bereaved parents & those who love them) by Joanne Cacciatore

If interested in checking any of these out or the many other books we have in our lending library, contact Rebecca 417-4557 or rebecca.buksh@svrhc.org
These books will also be available for review at our support group. Next meeting Tuesday May 4th from 630-8pm @ Olson Conference Room.

Mothers Day

With Mothers Day approaching, you may have already started to experience anxiety building over this day. Mothers Day can be difficult for mothers and fathers, you both may feel lonesome, confused, and/or saddened by this day. You are all mothers, whether you have living children or not. You are still mothers.   You may not be able to care for your child on earth, but  motherhood remains within you.

Happy Mother’s Day to those of you who have only dreamed of a child you could never conceive.


Happy Mother’s Day to those of you who never got to feel your child flutter in your womb for he was gone too soon.

Happy Mother’s Day to those of you who went through labor to hold a still, silent yet perfect angel baby in your arms.

Happy Mother’s Day to those of you who looked day by day at your healthy baby only to find her silent, cold and gone one day.

Happy Mother’s Day to those of you who fought hard and whose child fought harder for a life too short.

Some ideas for Mothers Day:

• Buy yourself a mothers day card or memento
• Plant flowers
• Proudly wear a corsage out (Yellow is for a bereaved mother)
• Visit your childs grave or special place
• Light a candle for your child
• buy extra soft tissues and take care
• Its your day do what you can.

Check out this website and to get 10% off your order enter coupon code mothersday2010
http://www.october15th.com/newsletter/mothersday2010.htm

DONATION

I would like to express sincere gratitude to the MOMS Club of Sierra Vista-East for making a very kind donation in memory of Paige Tejeda born still on 1/22/2010.

Thank you, your donation will greatly impact our program and the families we work with!

Mary Madeline Project

Sierra Vista Regional Health Center Maternal Child Unit is very pleased to announce that they are now recipents of Mary Madeline baby burial gowns and blankets.

The Mary Madeline Project was founded in memory of Madeline Marie Erickson who died at seven weeks of age and in honor of all the babies before and after her that have touched our lives. They are a non-profit organization that donates infant/baby burial gowns and blankets to local hospitals for bereaving parents.

Women donate their cherished wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses or prom gowns to the project and volunteers give of their time, talents, and love by making the baby burial gowns and blankets.

Their goal is to provide comfort to grieving families. They put memory tags in all outfits, so along with donated wedding gowns one can include in memory of.

Please visit their website and check out their beautiful work that we are now able to offer to our families.
http://www.marymadelineproject.org/

HAPPY ST.PATRICKS DAY!

Check out remembering our babies for great discounts on window decals and other great memorabilia.

Save 20% Coupon valid on any item in the Remembering Our Babies Memorial Boutique. Please use coupon code stpatricksday at checkout.

http://www.rememberingourbabies.net
Offer Expires: April 4, 2010

Grief vs. Depression

After the death of your baby there are many emotions one may experience and often you may not know how to explain your feelings or how to get help. A common question often asked, “Is this normal grieving or am I falling into depression. Often times these two can be easily mixed up and you can drive yourself crazy trying to decipher which one you are actually experiencing. After the death of your baby you may experience the normal grief response which is often an intense emotional and physical response to the loss which may come in waves and make you feel like you are on an emotional rollercoaster. It is most important to realize that normal grief does not usually turn into depression. Although it takes time you will learn to adjust your life what your new norm is after your babies death.

Things to watch for are how long the symptoms last and if they get worse. This could be complicated grief or depression.

These two charts give an overview of characteristics of grief and depression. If in doubt seek a medical professional or counselor to be evaluated.


Grief:
A normal complicated response to loss that causes distress
May experience some physical symptoms of distress
Still able to look toward the future
Passive wish for death
Associated with disease progression
Retains capacity for pleasure
Still able to express feelings and humor
Comes in waves
Can cope with distress on own or with supportive listening


Depression:
Generalized distress – loss of interest, pleasure
Somatic distress, hopelessness, guilt
No sense of positive future
Bored, lack of interest and expression
Suicidal ideation not uncommon
Persistent flat affect, negative self-image
Advanced disease and pain
Change in capacity to enjoy life or things that were formerly pleasurable
Constant, unremitting
Often requires intervention with medication, therapy


Source: Casarett D, Kutner JS, Abrahm J. Life after Death: A Practical Approach to Grief and Bereavement. Ann Intern Med 2001;134:208-215.

Trisomy Awareness Month

March is Trisomy Awareness Month!


WHEREAS, trisomy is the presence, within a person’s cells, of an extra set of chromosomes instead of the regular two.

WHEREAS, the most common trisomies in newborns are trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), and trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome).

WHEREAS, trisomy pregnancies can present unusual complications and can be more at-risk than non-trisomy pregnancies.

WHEREAS, the life of every child is precious, regardless of the number of chromosomes he or she may possess.

WHEREAS, parents should take advantage of the local support groups and online communities that offer education, encouragement, and counseling for those managing trisomy pregnancies or raising trisomy-affected children.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sarah Palin, Governor of the state of Alaska, do hereby proclaim March 2009 as: Trisomy Awareness Month

in Alaska, and give full support to raising awareness and education for all forms of trisomy, as well as efforts supporting families experiencing trisomy, and to helping people with developmental disabilities achieve their full potential.

Dated: February 25, 2009


Links to check out:








Please pass this information on!