This is the official version (in blog format) of the brochure that Tommy & I have been trying to get appoved to reach out to other families experiencing loss... it just got the final thumbs up from the hospital today. I'm posting it here because if there are other families that want to honor their babies in the same way I'd be happy for you to just change the name to _____'s Hope for Tomorrow and you can just change the info for your story & stats in your state. It ends up being a little over $20 for the kit for women who miscarry and about $35 for the kits for stillbirths or infant deaths- less if people donate knitted bracelets. Feel free to pass the word along.
In memory of Levi Aaron Henderson,
January 14, 2008
In January of 2008 we went to the doctor for a sonogram expecting to see if our baby was in the right position for his expected arrival only to be told there was no heartbeat. The days that followed we experienced grief, shock and hope that Levi’s heartbeat would miraculously be restored by God. We were embraced by our family and the community during these days and those to follow. Other families are not as fortunate to have the outpouring of sympathy that we had and we want to make sure that they know their loss is recognized by others as well. Some of these losses may be felt before the parents have even shared news of their pregnancy and others may come within the baby’s infancy. The loss of these babies may have affected you, your mother, sister, aunt, grandmother or daughter but they may have hidden their pain away.
In January of 2008 we went to the doctor for a sonogram expecting to see if our baby was in the right position for his expected arrival only to be told there was no heartbeat. The days that followed we experienced grief, shock and hope that Levi’s heartbeat would miraculously be restored by God. We were embraced by our family and the community during these days and those to follow. Other families are not as fortunate to have the outpouring of sympathy that we had and we want to make sure that they know their loss is recognized by others as well. Some of these losses may be felt before the parents have even shared news of their pregnancy and others may come within the baby’s infancy. The loss of these babies may have affected you, your mother, sister, aunt, grandmother or daughter but they may have hidden their pain away.
Most statistics list women as having a 10% chance of having a miscarriage during confirmed pregnancies (although some very early miscarriages are not reported to doctors and therefore the actual number may be higher). In the state of Georgia there were 1241 fetal deaths in 2006 which is a rate of 8.3 deaths per 1000 live births. (Fetal deaths are defined as a pregnancy that is 20 weeks gestation or greater.) Please help us reach out to these parents who have left the hospital wiping away tears rather than smiling at the newborn baby in their arms. Nothing can be said or done to bring their precious child back but we want to show that they are loved and their loss is recognized.
While we cannot yet reach all the women touched in Georgia, our goal is to raise enough money to create at least 25 care kits for women coming through ______ Hospital. We’d like to provide a remembrance necklace and books for all women experiencing loss and a Pregnancy Loss Kit for women experiencing a stillbirth or infant death. The kit includes a plaster mold for an impression of the hands or feet, a container for the hospital bracelet, a disposable camera, a blanket to wrap the baby in, and a journal. If you have any questions or want to share your story please feel free to e-mail me at: levishope@beanaroundtheworld.biz.
What can I do?
If you know someone who has experienced loss please reach out to them and let them know you care.• Remember the ‘angelversaries’ each month after their child has passed away and keep them in mind days like Mother’s/Father’s day, due dates, birthdays and holidays that may be difficult for them. • Rather than asking ‘What can I do to help?’ offer to do specific tasks that they may not be feeling up to yet. • Understand that some days they may want to be surrounded by friends and other days they may want to be alone in their grief (and don’t be offended if they’re one way one minute and another the next.) • When offering comfort, don’t start any sentence with ‘At least…’. • Don’t be afraid to mention their child’s name, they probably want to talk about their child but don’t want to be the one to bring them up. • Don’t stay away because you don’t know what to say, they probably don’t know what to say either and a simple ‘I’m sorry’ is all that’s expected. • Don’t forget about the dads; they’ve lost their child too.
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