community resources for the expecting family
Massachusetts Birth Connections
© 2017 Massachusetts Birth Connections
massbirthconnections@gmail.com
Disclaimer: As part of this website, www.MassBirth.com, Massachusetts Birth Connections (MBC) provides a listing of birth professionals throughout Massachusetts. MBC provides this information "as is"; as it is given to MBC by the birth professionals listed. MBC attempts to deliver only accurate information to its users. MBC assumes no responsibility for and makes no representations with respect to the accuracy of the information. MBC makes no claim to quality of the services provided and takes no responsibility for the services or products offered by the birth professionals it lists. We recommend you interview the birth professional and research the products thoroughly to help you find the services and products that best fits you and your family's needs. Any information on MBC is not intended to replace medical advice from your medical team, doctor or midwife. Always check with your medical provider before making changes to your treatment and regarding your specific medical history. MBC's website, www.MassBirth.com, contains links and references to many third party websites that are not under the control of MBC. These websites do not operate under MBC's privacy policy. We recommend that you visit the privacy policy of all third party websites you visit.
Grief, Loss & Traumatic Birth Support Links and Information
For a listing of local support groups please click Here.
Caregiver Support
Resources for bereaved family and professional caregivers, also a store to purchase remembrance items, birth announcements, etc www.griefwatch.com
The World Health Organization: Managing Complications in Pregnancy, Emotional and Psychological Support (a guide for caregivers)
Centering Corporation – A Grief Resource center – books and information www.centering.org
The Grief Recovery Institute – general information about recovery from grief be it for the professional or the grieving individual
Wintergreen Press – materials and resources for grieving families, from the author of Empty Arms.
Elizabeth Kubler Ross’s Web site, the author of On Death and Dying and on Children and Death many resources and tips for those touched by griefand loss
Perinatal Loss
A Place to Remember – for those who have been touched by a crisis in pregnancy or death of a baby
March of Dimes Pregnancy and Newborn Loss Resources www.marchofdimes.com
March of Dimes Bereavement Kit – free to those who have had a loss www.marchofdimes.com
Waiting With Love – For those who choose to continue a pregnancy knowing their baby will die before or shortly after birth or who learn their newborns will die
Angel Babies Forever Loved
Hannah’s Prayer – Christian support group for loss from conception through early infancy
Bereavement Services Gunderson Lutheran Medical Foundation – resources for parents and health care providers, information, sales of remembrance rings, memory boxes, and caregiver training www.bereavementprograms.com
Hygeia – a global community for perinatal health, loss, and bereavement
MEND Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death – a Christian support group www.mend.org
Pregnancy loss and support program National Council of Jewish Women New York Section – a nationwide support group that coordinates telephone counseling and support groups
Remembering our Babies
SHARE Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support – National organization with resources for loss for parents, friends/family, and professionals, free information packet, support groups and chats, and more www.nationalshareoffice.com
Empty Arms, a facilitated peer support system
Still Birth
WISSP Wisconsin Stillbirth Service Program for any family who has experienced stillbirth
A TIME - A Torah Infertility Medium of Exchange – a group that helps with infertility and loss from a Jewish perspective.
Carrying to Term – a Web site for parents who choose to carry their pregnancies following devastating prenatal diagnosis.
Wintergreen Press – materials and resources for grieving families, fromthe author of Empty Arms.
http://www.wintergreenpress.com
The Stillbirth Alliance.
The National SUID/SIDS Resource Center has released two updated resources to help families cope with grief following the death of an infant or child. Both resources were produced with support from the Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau and include updated lists of select resources. The updated publications include the following:
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The Death of a Child, the Grief of the Parents: A Lifetime Journey discusses common and individual characteristics of parental grief, parental grief and a sudden infant death syndrome death, fathers' grief, the impact of grief in special parenting situations, thoughts from grieving parents, and coping with loss and moving on. The pamphlet is available at
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The Grieving Child: Helping Children Cope When an Infant Dies provides guidance on how to help children cope after the unexpected loss of an infant sibling or other loved one. It provides information about how children of different ages react to death and how parents and other caregivers can help them.
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Information about family rituals and suggestions on seeking support services is also provided. The pamphlet is available at www.sidscenter.org
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​The Loss of a Child
The Compassionate Friends – Grief support after the loss of a child www.compassionatefriends.org
Bereaved Parents of the USA
The MISS foundation Mothers in Sympathy and Support – For parents, professionals, and friends/caregivers
The Center for Loss in Multiple Birth (CLIMB)
Yahoo groups ELIMBO (Electronic Loss in Multiple Birth Outreach) and LAMBS (Loss of ALL Multiple Births
Multiplicity – Loss, prematurity, and special needs in multiple pregnancywith links to other multiple resources.
GAST – Alliance of Grandparents, A Support in Tragedy International – support for grandparents who have lost a grandchild and information on how to help their children (the parents of the child
The National Infertility Organization
The National SIDS/infant death resource center
The American SIDS Institute
Down Syndrome Diagnosis
Down Syndrome – Information about Down Syndrome and Grieving the loss of the ideal and perfect baby
For relatives and friends of a baby with Down Syndrome – what to and not to say
Healing Instruments
The Gentle Wind Project – Healing instruments www.gentlewindproject.org
International Harp Therapy Program
Subsequent Pregnancies following a loss SPALS Subsequent Pregnancy after a Loss Support
Hospice
Hospice.net a Web-site dedicated to end of life issues including explaining death to children and general information on bereavement www.hospicenet.org
Substance Abuse Support
Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Alanon: For family and friends affected by someone’s drinking/ drug use
Gamblers Anonymous
Overeaters Anonymous
Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous
Jewish Family and Children’s Service:Valuable resource, Boston area agency providing support to the elderly,new immigrants, individuals with disabilities, new mothers, many otherservices available, open to all. www.jfcsboston.org
Babies Remembered Magazine
Anita Pandolfe Ruchman NP Nurse Psychotherapist, Rockport, MA.
978-546-6599
Founder and Director of A Tender Place~Mind~Body~Spirit Therapies facilitates retreats for those experiencing grief and loss as a result of the dealth of a loved one. Often when we are grieving, others tell us to keep busy and not be alone. These may be helpful temporary measures but what happens to all those feelings we are trying not to feel? Who are we now without our loved one? How do we live our lives now when we feel so devastated by our loss? The Beyond Words Retreat provides participants with the opportunity to step back from everyday life, slow down, and focus inward. Under the skillful, compassionate care and guidance of nurse psychotherapist Anita Pandolfe Ruchman, participants safely and gently tend to their grief through sacred movement, meditation, massage treatments, art and music therapy, and quiet guided sharing with others who are grieving. The retreat provides comfort, coping measures, and a bit of relief from the heaviness and exhaustion of grief. We will utilize the majestic beauty of the natural surroundings of Cape Ann to take in the healing power of the sea, the grounding earth energy of the granite, and the soothing spaciousness of the great blue sky. In order to create a safe, private, experience the # of participants Is limited to 6.
