Bereavement
As your caregivers at Capital Women’s Care, we extend our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. We understand that this is a difficult time for you and are here to support you in any way you may need. It is our hope that you find the information below helpful and we encourage you to reach out to us for any needs, concerns, or questions that you may have.
The loss of a pregnancy can be very hard. You may wonder why it happened or blame yourself. Miscarriages are common and are not caused by exercise, stress, or sex. Most happen because the fertilized egg in the uterus does not develop normally.
There is no treatment that can stop a miscarriage. As long as you do not have heavy blood loss, fever, weakness, or other signs of infection, you can let a miscarriage follow its own course. This can take several days.
Your body will recover over the next several weeks. Having a miscarriage does not mean you cannot have a normal pregnancy in the future.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It’s also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Websites for Grieving Families
- Sweet Grace Ministries https://sweetgraceministries.com/ – Support to those who have endured miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or neonatal death.
- Center for Loss in Multiple Birth (CLIMB) http://www.climb-support.org/ – Comprehensive written materials/resources specific to the loss of multiples.
- Compassionate Friends https://www.compassionatefriends.org/ – Supporting the family after a child dies.
- The Dougy Center https://www.dougy.org/ – National Center for Grieving Children and Families.
- Faces of Loss/Faces of Hope http://facesofloss.com/ – Gives awareness to pregnancy/infant loss.
- Grief Net http://www.griefnet.org/ – Online support groups for kids and adults.
- The Hope Group https://rindyshope.com/ – Online support services.
- Molly Bears https://mollybears.org/ – Memorial bears that can be customized.
- National Share http://nationalshare.org/ – Pregnancy and infant loss support.
- Perinatal Hospice https://www.perinatalhospice.org/ – Perinatal hospice and palliative care, a comprehensive model of care for patients continuing their pregnancies following a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis.
- Still Birthday https://stillbirthday.com/sbd-doula-registration/ – Support for families suffering pregnancy or infant loss.
- Sweet Pea Project http://www.sweetpeaproject.org/– Comfort, support, guidance to families who have experienced the death of a baby.
Washington County Community Support Groups
- Meritus Medical Center – Labor of Love: FIRST WEDNESDAY of each month at 7:00 pm at Robinwood Medical Center, Suite 122. This group is for anyone who has experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn loss. For more information, call 301-739-3863 or 301-739-2439, Meritus Medical Center Bereavement Support – 301-790-8614.
- Hospice of Washington County – Support groups are offered to anyone in the community regardless of prior use of hospice services. Contact the Grief and Bereavement Support Department at 301-791-6360 or visit their website at http://hospiceofwc.org/grief-support
- Cuddling Angels – Non-profit organization that provides support, comfort and a sense of healing to bereaved families that have lost their babies too soon. For more information you can contact 814-288-8915, email cuddlingangels815@gmail.com or visit their website at https://www.cuddlingangels.com
- Hope Through Birth – Support group meets the SECOND THURSDAY of every month from 6:30pm – 8:00pm at 16121 Business Parkway, Hagerstown, MD 21742. Contact Stephanie Nalley at 240-452-6323 or hopethroughbirth@gmail.com for more information.
- Brianne Tesla Bearese, MA, LCPC, CPLC – Brianne is the Founder and Director of Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness of Washington County, MD. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), holds a master’s degree in mental health counseling, and is Certified in Perinatal Loss Care (CPLC). Brianne provides individual, couples, family and online counseling. For more information contact 240-818-8911 or email PAILAofWCMD@gmail.com.