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12 MarPeekaboo – A Film About Stillbirth

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Stillbirth is STILL a taboo subject within our society. Filmmaker Debbie Howard and Big Buddha Films are making a new film to highlight this tragedy and the silence that often surrounds babies that are “born asleep”.  This is an incredibly difficult time for parents, and there is little support and understanding to help them.  The new film called Peekaboo, is a high profile, short narrative film that looks at the issue of stillbirth and the psychological trauma that surrounds it.

Debbie Howard and the production company will be shooting the film in March of 2011.  They are looking to fund the project through donations.  If you are interested in supporting this film, please click the picture below to read more about the film.

 

Category(s): Pregnancy Loss Films, Stillbirths

11 MarMeeting Cancellations

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Well, it seems that the snow is on it’s way out and SPRING is on it’s way in…YEAH!  Last night at HOPE we discussed how we would contact our members when the weather was bad and we had to cancel the meetings.  Some of you may remember that we’ve had to cancel in the past and others may remember the night we sat by candlelight because the power was out.

Anyway, it was decided to post here on Rindy’s HOPE  and on our FACEBOOK page when a meeting is canceled. We will post the cancellation by 6 PM on the night of the meeting. Hopefully we won’t have to do this but it’s good to be prepared.  So bookmark this page on your computer and cell phone.   Check it often when there is inclement weather!

Later friends…until next time.

Category(s): Facebook, Meeting Cancellations, Welcome

11 MarThe Preeclampsia Foundation

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Thousands of women and babies die or get very sick each year from a dangerous condition called preeclampsia, a life-threatening disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Preeclampsia and related disorders such as HELLP syndrome and eclampsia are most often characterized by a rapid rise in blood pressure that can lead to seizure, stroke, multiple organ failure and death of the mother and/or baby.

The Preeclampsia Foundation is an empowered community of patients and experts, with a diverse array of resources and support to help you have the best possible pregnancy or to help you navigate the questions you’ll have if you don’t. We provide unparalleled support and advocacy for the people whose lives have been or will be affected by the condition – mothers, babies, fathers and their families.  Read more…

 

Category(s): Miscarriages, Pregnancy Loss Resources, Stillbirths

11 MarIf We Only Knew…

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If We Only Knew:  The Quest to Conquer Preeclampsia is a YouTube video that describes the dangers of preeclampsia.  Preeclampsia is a condition during pregnancy that is caused by high blood pressure.  Please share this video with every mother you know…

Thanks for sharing Mia!

Category(s): Miscarriages, Stillbirths, YouTube Videos

24 FebStill

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When Stephanie Cole’s daughter died of unknown causes one week after her due date, it shook her to her very core and set her on a journey into the depths of grief.  Stephanie faced her loss head-on, using creative expression as a tool to navigate her way through the intensity of her emotions, and allowing herself to grieve honestly and on her own terms.   In her new book, Still: a collection of honest artwork and writings from the heart of a grieving mother, Stephanie invites us in for an intimate look at that first dark year without her daughter.

Stephanie has always had a love of writing, but never really considered becoming an author.  Even as Still was being created, she didn’t feel as though she was writing a book.  Stephanie explains, “I write as a way to release all of the overwhelming emotions of grief from my body.  Before Still. was a book it was my journal, my canvas.  It was a way for me to express the unspeakable.”  Read more…

 

Category(s): Book Recommendations

24 FebSweet Pea Project

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The Sweet Pea Project was created by Stephanie Cole after the death of her daughter Madeline, as a way to honor her memory and reach out to other bereaved parents.

The Sweet Pea Project offers comfort, support and gentle guidance to families who have experienced the death of a baby.  Sweet Pea Project Blankets have been donated to hospitals across the country and a new Book Donation Project was launched in June 2010 after the release of Stephanie’s book, Still.

Wander through the various pages of this website and you will find a large library of resources including links to websites, support groups and books that other parents have found helpful. On the Sweet Pea Babies page you will find a special place to remember our children. There is also an online gallery that features artwork and writings from all over the world, created by the parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles of the little ones who are so deeply loved and missed.

If you or someone you love has experienced the death of a baby, please visit our For Bereaved Families page.

Category(s): Grief Resources, Online Grief Publications

22 FebPregnancy Loss Statistics

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Just found these statistics online and thought the rest of HOPE would like to know the numbers.  More statistics can be found online at the American Pregnancy Association’s website.

Category(s): Grief Resources, Miscarriages, Stillbirths

22 FebMending Invisible Wings

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Mending Invisible Wings is a book written by Mary Burgess, a doula whose first birth she attended was for a dear friend.  Her friend’s labor was wonderful but the birth, tragic.

Below is a poem dedicated to those who have lost a baby during pregnancy. The poem can be found in Mary’s book Mending Invisible Wings.

A Birth Healing Blessing

Blessed sister, beautiful one with broken wings.

Your journey is a difficult one

that no mother should have to endure.

Your path is steep, rocky and slippery

and your tender heart is in need of gentle healing.

Breathe deeply and know that you are loved.

You are not alone,

though at times, you will feel like a

desolate island of grief

untouchable

distant.

Close your eyes.

Seek the wisdom of women who have walked this well-worn path before you,

before,

and before,

and before you yourself were born.

These beautiful ones

with eyes like yours

have shared your pain, and

weathered the storms of loss.

You are not alone (breathe in)

You will go on (breathe out)

Your wings will mend (breathe in)

You are loved (breathe out).

Category(s): Grief Resources, Online Grief Publications, Poems

22 FebWhat About the Children?

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Many times at our HOPE meetings we are asked how to explain the death of a baby or the death of a loved one to our living children.  The following article written by Jay Johnson from the Grief Digest Magazine explains how to do just that…

It breaks our hearts, it troubles our minds, it rattles our souls; seeing children we love devastated, weeping, sorrow-filled. We want to fix it and we can‘t. “I can’t just go out and buy a new daddy. I could always do that with broken Barbies. I can’t put a BAND-AID on it. I can’t kiss it and make it stop hurting. I can’t even tell her it will be all right. All I can do is hold her and help her cry.” (Mom in Seattle)

Everyone who devotes their lives to grieving children agrees there are least four tasks of grieving children. In a way, they apply to all of us, for when we grieve we are indeed like children.

1. Recognize the reality of the death

Probably the single most important thing you can do to help the children in your family is to be honest. When her mother shot herself when Margo was four, the children were told their mother went on vacation. Her clothes and belongings were gone; she had just disappeared. The next year when their father told the children they were going on vacation, he couldn’t figure out why they were terrified. Children deserve to know the truth. Use the real words: “dead” and “died.” Explain what happened. If the death was violent, the children will find out what happened sooner or later and it‘s best if they find out from you or some other loving family member. Secrets can hurt. Welcome their questions. Getting honest answers helps them grieve in healthy ways.  Read more…

Category(s): Grief Resources, Online Grief Publications

17 FebRindy’s HOPE Now Accepts Comments on Posts

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Hello HOPE!  The Rindy’s Hope blog/website NOW accepts comments to our posts.

For those non-Facebook users, you can come to our website and leave a comment for all to see on the individual posts that we publish.  Facebook users, you know the drill.

We welcome your comments.  It’s a great way to stay in touch with our members.  Our moderator will read all comments and approve them for publishing.

Directions: Under the title of each post, click the “No Comments” or “Comments” link.  Enter your name, email address, and comment.  Click submit.  It’s that easy.

Any questions please email the moderator.  Click here.

Happy commenting!

Category(s): Keeping in Touch, Welcome
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