General Websites about Pregnancy Loss:

The OCA Diocese of NY and NJ has a pregnancy loss resource list for those of you who are Orthodox

Stillbirthday: I remember when this website first began! They asked permission to use a lot of the information on Lost Innocents (which I gave). Since then it has grown into a vast site including resources for loss, certification of doulas, support groups, etc.

Babies Remembered: very comprehensive site with extensive book list, collection of resources, news articles, pertinent legislation updates, medical studies, etc. Plus, the author is an international speaker to hospital groups and others on the subject of infant loss and bereavement.

Naming the Child: provided by the author of the book of the same name, has various resources, poetry, a memorial section, some stories, etc.

Pregnancy Loss Info: information about pregnancy loss including medical (presented sensitively), grieving, coping, conceiving again, and memorials

Hope for Healing: information about pregnancy loss doulas

The Amethyst Network: a network of doulas providing pregnancy loss support

Hope in Miscarriage: Unique because it is written by a mother who lost twins in the first trimester, but at different gestations. Contains quite a lot of good practical information as well as additional resources.

Prunci Pierduți Și Născuți Înainte De Vreme. O perspectivă Ortodoxă: (Lost babies and born prematurely. An Orthodox Perspective) This site is more or less the Romanian equivalent of Lost Innocents but features some different stories and information. A great boon to the Romanian-speaking readers, but translation into other languages is available.

Angel Babies: Information specifically about dealing with second and third trimester loss. Includes stories, information, a large page of helpful links, and a link to a blog with many, many examples of knitted, sewn and crocheted items for tiny babies.

Life and Loss: A blog/site by a perinatal hospice nurse who has herself suffered loss. Good information about perinatal palliative care. Especially helpful for those in the health care arena, but useful for anyone.

Books about miscarriage:

Naming the Child by Jenny Schroedel
Jenny Schroedel is the wife of an Orthodox priest and so features many stories of Orthodox women in her book. It is not a strictly Orthodox-only book however. The subtitle is, “hope-filled reflections on miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death”, and that describes it perfectly. This book does not contain much in the way of medical advice or information, but I recommend it highly.

Answers in a time of miscarriage by Bethany Kerr
I have not personally read this book. Here is one review:

“This is an amazing resource for families who have suffered the loss of a baby by miscarriage. The book provides factual answers to many common questions about miscarriage, as well as many poignant stories of loss that Bethany has collected, including her own. This beautiful book gives the reader help, hope, and encouragement, from a uniquely Christian and pro-life perspective.” -MARGARET DELLE

There are many books about infant loss through SIDS, stillbirth and miscarriage by Wintergreen Press found on the site Babies Remembered, mentioned above.

Services:

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is a phenomenal service offered at no cost by about 7,000 photographers both around the country and in 25 countries. These professional photographers come to the hospital or hospice and take beautiful photographs of babies (born 25 weeks gestation and beyond) and their families. The photographs are taken in a sensitive way, retouched and then placed on a DVD or CD for the parents. Many examples are able to be viewed on their site. NILMDTS is a non-profit foundation.

Patterns, Caskets, Remembrance Items:

Bev’s Country Cottage has a page full of patterns for burial gowns and shrouds and also tiny pouches (for really little babies who cannot be dressed) that you can make to give away. Items made from these patterns cannot be sold. Your local hospital OB unit will appreciate having a stock of these to dress babies for their parents. I have seen the difference it makes for parents to see their babies dressed with dignity and in something other than a generic hospital blanket. There are plenty of patterns both intricate and simple in knit, crochet and sewing so it doesn’t matter where your abilities lie.

Threads of Love has patterns for sewn burial and preemie gowns.

Mikayla’s Grace is a non-profit organization based in Wisconsin that was started by a couple who lost a 24 week daughter in the NICU. Since then, they’ve also had an early miscarriage. They put together NICU care packages, Baby loss comfort packages (prior to 16 weeks), and Angel memory boxes (loss 16 weeks and up).

Angel Babies Blog: Includes patterns for knitted, crocheted and sewn items for miscarried/stillborn babies, links to patterns, etc.

Heaven’s Gain: Caskets and other supplies for the burial of infants of every stage gestation.

Draw Near Designs: (Orthodox) a new miscarriage comfort package which includes a small candle, an icon card, some prayer cards, a chocolate, and the option of a small frame with “Memory Eternal” sized to fit an ultrasound picture.

Bereavement resources on Etsy: There are many, many shops on Etsy now which offer a variety of items for pregnancy/infant loss. This includes blankets, memory boxes, bears and other stuffed animals, personalized items, sachets, sympathy cards… you name it.

I used to crochet blankets with crosses on them to sell, Latin, three-bar and Celtic. For a little while now I have been making tiny cross blankets for friends who have miscarried babies. [Due to time constraints I can no longer offer these for sale or as donations. I do still provide the patterns on a page here on this site.] These could be kept as keepsakes or used to bury a baby. Some women want one of each. They can be made in either a Latin or three-bar cross.