Abigail's Hope

WAYS TO CARE FOR FAMILIES THROUGH PREGNANCY LOSS

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support 

Thank you for taking the time to read this.  Being here already shows that you are looking for ways to help a dear family who has experienced a heartbreaking loss.  

It may not seem like it but there are so many ways that you can be there to support and love the dear family who has just lost their baby.  It may seem that there are no words and sometimes there aren't but you can definitely help.

After speaking with many families who have experienced pregnancy loss, here is a list of things that may be helpful in caring for families who have experienced a pregnancy loss:

• Pray for them and with them.  
  
• Listen, sometimes they just need to pour out their heart.  
  
• Share your love and cry with them, if you are moved to.  
  
• Offer to be with them during labor and delivery, even if you are not in their room.  Knowing you are there may help them feel they are not alone.  
  
• Be in touch frequently for the first few months.  Send them emails, text messages, words of encouragement and let them know you are thinking of them.
• Please consider asking about their babies or giving them an opportunity to share their story.  Some think that by not talking about their Heaven babies, they are saving them tears and even though this may be true, talking about their child may also bring healing. Even though, these precious babies are no longer on earth, they are forever part of their family.  Some families may prefer not to share their story and this is ok, too. 
  
• Start a meal train for the family. (https://www.mealtrain.com)
• If you would like to give a gift, please consider an item that they can keep forever.  Flowers are wonderful but so are items with their baby's name on them, books and other things that they can keep around their home.

We were so blessed to have such a wonderful support system and couldn't be more thankful for them.  The month following Abigail's birth, we were flooded with prayers, calls, text messages, reminders of how loved we are, flowers, meals, Abigail memorabilia and so much more.  As time passed, the calls and messages dwindled a little but when they came, it was just at the right time.  We saw God work through people just when we needed it.  If you do anything, please consider praying.  Prayers are always being answered and God is using you and those around you to bring love and support to a family who so desperately needs it.

Again, thank you for stopping by.  Researching ways to help means you are already doing something.  Be encouraged, they need you and you can be someone instrumental in their healing process.