#infant loss

[untouchablestarling]

I just want to scream to the world that you were here.

That you existed too.

That you were ours, and ours alone.

And that we loved you.

[vyorei]

The agony these people are going through is beyond compare, the amount of people giving birth every day and the amount of children lost is heart-shattering, but the powers still refuse to call this a genocide.

[fienin]

[personifizierterelevanzz]

[talesfrommedinastation]

The next few chapters are going to be ROUGH.

(massive trigger warnings regarding pregnancy and loss)

The Belt was a dangerous place for the living, to say nothing for the unborn. Changes in gravitation, heightened cortisol, volatile organic compounds, cosmic radiation–all of them caused miscarriages and stillbirths, and that was just in the environment. That did not include the bodies that grew them.....

.....Only the dead can truly find peace in the Belt , Lyse often said to her daughters, her Ceres accent harsh compared to the soft Ganymede tone of their father, so many choose to be born that way. To be born dead is a blessing, for it is to be born without knowing suffering. 

'The Missing and the Murdered, Part 2' , To Guard Against Titans

-------------------------------------------------

It's National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day in my country.

So I figured if the elephant in the room was going to be addressed, it should be on this date.

Now, I love The Expanse. But the challenges with reproduction were not especially covered, which I have mentioned before.

As someone who has experienced pregnancy loss herself, this is a heavy topic for me to research, but one that I wanted, if not needed, to explore.

I view it not only as a personal journey, but as an epistemological one as well. I want to think about it, because thinking and researching is soothing to me. I hope it is for the reader as well.

I have no doubt in my mind that not only a lack of gravity, but especially radiation, would play a horrific role in reproduction.

Pregnant individuals are not allowed on rollercoasters - now think about gravity fluctuations on a space shuttle.

They are not allowed to have x-rays - now think about the radiation you might experience on a moon walk.

We worry about diet for expecting parents - how can you get enough folate and iron when you are stranded thousands of miles away from the nearest human settlement?

And this is even before a lack of medical access is discussed. Not just from a scientific standpoint, but a cultural one, too.

If you're seen as sub-human, why should the medical field care about you and your unborn child? Or when your child is born?

These are heavy and tragic questions I found myself asking as I envision life for a pregnant Belter and her unborn child (ren). Add a father who has different physiological and cultural backgrounds and yeah. Yeah. Heavy shit.

Some links for the curious:

Can We Even Have Babies in Space? Why We're Not Ready for Life Off-Planet | Scientific American

Making Babies In Space May Be A Terrible Idea (vice.com)

Earth’s first space gynaecologist explains how humans will reproduce in future | BBC Science Focus Magazine

Long-Term Space Nutrition: A Scoping Review - PMC (nih.gov)

Mars ain’t the kind of place to raise your kid: ethical implications of pregnancy on missions to colonize other planets - PMC (nih.gov)

[maleficsin]

Left to wander, left to dissipate

Without you I will never be the same

Left to confide insecurity

When you disappeared you took a part of me

[justjudethoughts]

"When you're swept up in/ The ceaseless song of the seraphim/ Please remember me/ That my soul may touch/ The fire of love you dwell within." -Discovering Paradise, Danielle Rose

I grew up knowing that I have an older brother in heaven, but it wasn't until recent years that I began to realize how profondly he has shaped me. Looking back, it's a wonder I ever missed it — I certainly thought about him a lot. I remember being little and thinking about him during the Eucharistic prayer, when the priest said "our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection." I took the word "brother" very literally.

The older I have gotten, the more profoundly I have seen his intercession in my life. He has set me longing for heaven in a way I never have before. He has changed the way I view the beauty of the natural world, a glimpse at what he sees. When Religious OCD scares me away from Mass, I feel a little stronger knowing I'll see my big brother in the Eucharist.

I like to think he had a hand in picking my best friend. She and I have always joked that she's "my big brother" because she plays that very protective role for me. Then we realized her name (Tricia) is the shortened form of the feminine for Patrick. So she shares his name and was born a month after him. I think Jesus meant for that one to happen, because through all of this processing she is the friend who has made me feel most seen. Cliché as it might sound, it really feels like my personal patron saint sent me a human guardian angel.

There are a lot of things I could say about him, but words do tend to fail when one tries to crack open her heart. I really, truly believe that God's abundant mercy and ability to bring good from evil is not cowed by the seemingly senseless loss of unborn infants. I think that maybe the greater good is the power of their intercession, those innocents in heaven who never knew fear, only the comfort of their mother's heartbeat. Perhaps their prayers are purer, their faith more childlike. I guess I won't know until I get there, but I believe this tale of sorrow ends in profound joy. And while I miss him down here, I know he's watching over me like older brothers do.

Happy 26 years in Heaven, Patrick. Save a place for me, bruv ♡

[animeroz]

Living without you is absolute torture and I wake up every day trying to come to terms with the fact that, for my entire life, I’ll never hold you again

[leaveherwildliketheflowers]

October is pregnancy and infant loss awareness month. I fucking loathe it. I can appreciate that awareness is important but it feels very in your face. Whether intentional or not I always feel pressured to share about something that I like to keep close to my chest, yet choosing to stay quiet makes me feel like a bad mom. It's a lose lose.

Today one of my old roommates who lost her daughter this year shared a post from a child loss account for a free giveaway. A fucking gift basket. What exactly are we giving away to parents whose kids died? I get everyone grieves differently and I don't judge but this made my blood boil. It feels like commercializing child loss. Maybe I'm cynical. Maybe I'm just cold and bitter in my grief. This just all feels slimy. My child died so let me enter into a contest to win a prize. Gross.

[untouchablestarling]

I just wish you lived to see today and everyday,

But we have no tomorrows, or sunrise mornings.

[reasonsforhope]

“Bangladesh has achieved a huge success in reducing infant and maternal mortality rates in the last five decades, securing the top position in South Asia.

According to the World Bank's estimation, the current infant mortality rate for Bangladesh is 21 deaths per 1000 live births making 85% decline from 1971 as the rate was 141 deaths during Bangladesh's independence.

According to health experts, Bangladesh achieved unprecedented success in every health index in the last 50 years since independence...

According to Health and Family Welfare Ministry, Bangladesh maternal mortality rate was 269 per 100,000 live births in 2009. The ratio has reduced to 165 recently.

The government has set a target to reduce maternal mortality to less than 50 per 100,000 live births...

After the independence, the Bangladesh government had put emphasis on maternal health, family planning, child nutrition and so on.

Special importance was also given on different five-year plans, health policy and latest health, population and nutrition programme. Special allocation was also kept at annual development programme (ADP) on those issues.

Annual Global Childhood Report 2019 of the humanitarian organization "Save The Children" says child mortality rate has reduced to a great extent in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal in the last two decades.

Among the four countries, Bangladesh has made the highest progress. The child mortality ratio declined 60% in Bhutan, 59% in Nepal, 57% in India, [and] 63% in Bangladesh in the last two decades...

Family Planning Directorate Assistant Director Matiur Rahman said that 3,364 union health and family welfare centres are providing maternal and child health facilities apart from family planning services across the county.

Of them, 2189 union health and family welfare centres are providing 24 hour safe delivery facilities every day.”

-via The Business Standard, 6/14/22

[personifizierterelevanzz]

[leilaniandonehundreddays]

day nineteen, gray

unable to commit to a rhythm

or a rhyming scheme

unsure of words and footing

the big breakdown while putting

the laundry away and coming across it—

the gifted newborn onesie announcing You

my nephew

too sweet for the world filling with blue hues

days now gray as the walls i was painting for You

ever reminded by the spots on my favorite sweats

i wore as i kept rolling on the color

zig… zag… fill…

feel my heart beat in my ears

thinking of how you’re not here

no tiny butt in a pumpkin

no homemade costume to match your cousin’s

emptiness we cannot heal

just steel

just gray

just gone

[harmonyhealinghub]

The Unsung Heroes: Postpartum Doulas - Nurturing New Moms and Families

Shaina Tranquilino

December 11, 2023

Becoming a parent is an incredible journey filled with joy, love, and countless challenges. While the focus often revolves around the miracle of childbirth, we must not overlook the significance of postpartum care for both mothers and their families. In this blog post, we will explore the vital role of postpartum doulas, shedding light on who they are and what their invaluable support entails.

Who are Postpartum Doulas?

Postpartum doulas are trained professionals who provide physical, emotional, and informational assistance to new parents during the delicate post-birth period. They offer compassionate care to nurture not only mothers but also their entire family unit as they navigate through the early weeks or months after childbirth. These skilled individuals are equipped with expertise in breastfeeding support, newborn care education, maternal recovery guidance, and overall postpartum well-being.

The Role of Postpartum Doulas

1. Emotional Support: Postpartum doulas understand that every mother's experience is unique and may be accompanied by feelings of uncertainty, exhaustion, or even overwhelming joy. With empathetic listening skills and non-judgmental attitudes, these doulas create safe spaces where moms can express themselves freely without fear of being judged. Their unwavering emotional support eases anxiety and fosters confidence in parenting abilities.

2. Physical Assistance: The physical demands of caring for a newborn can be daunting for any parent. Postpartum doulas lend a helping hand by assisting with daily household chores such as meal preparation, laundry duties, and light cleaning tasks. By taking on these responsibilities, they alleviate some of the burdensome workload from new moms' shoulders so they can focus on self-care and bonding with their baby.

3. Breastfeeding Support: One significant area where postpartum doulas excel is in providing breastfeeding guidance. They possess extensive knowledge about lactation, positioning techniques, and troubleshooting common nursing challenges. By offering practical advice and reassurance, they empower mothers to establish a successful breastfeeding relationship with their infants.

4. Newborn Care Education: From swaddling techniques to diaper changing tips, postpartum doulas are a treasure trove of newborn care wisdom. They educate parents on the essentials of baby care such as sleep routines, soothing methods, and recognizing signs of infant distress or illness. Armed with this knowledge, new parents gain confidence in meeting their little one's needs effectively.

5. Advocacy and Information Sharing: Postpartum doulas act as bridges between families and the vast network of healthcare professionals and community resources available to them. They help navigate this complex landscape by connecting parents with reliable information related to pediatricians, support groups, mental health services for mothers experiencing postpartum mood disorders, or even local parent-baby activities.

In our society that often focuses solely on the prenatal journey and childbirth experience, we must acknowledge the significance of comprehensive postpartum care. Postpartum doulas play an invaluable role in supporting new moms during this transformative period by providing emotional stability, physical assistance, breastfeeding support, newborn care education, and acting as advocates for their well-being.

As we strive towards nurturing healthier families overall, it is crucial to recognize the incredible dedication of postpartum doulas who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Their unwavering commitment helps new parents transition into parenthood with grace and confidence while fostering a loving environment where both mom and baby can thrive.

With that being said, the journey of welcoming a new life into the world is filled with both joyous anticipation and immense love. However, sadly, not all pregnancies end in the expected celebration. For families who experience the devastating loss of their baby during pregnancy or labour and delivery, navigating through grief can be an overwhelming and isolating experience. In these trying times, postpartum doulas play a crucial role in providing compassionate support and helping bereaved families cope with their grief.

Understanding the Role of Postpartum Doulas: Postpartum doulas are skilled professionals trained to provide emotional, physical, and informational support to families during the postpartum period. Traditionally known for assisting new parents after childbirth, they have now extended their expertise to offer guidance specifically tailored to those experiencing perinatal loss.

Compassionate Emotional Support: Losing a baby is a deeply personal and heart-wrenching experience that often leaves parents feeling isolated and emotionally shattered. Postpartum doulas who specialize in supporting families dealing with perinatal loss understand the unique needs of grieving parents. They possess remarkable empathy and compassion, creating a safe space where families can openly express their emotions without fear of judgment or misunderstanding.

These doulas offer active listening skills, allowing parents to share their stories, memories, hopes, and fears surrounding their lost child. By offering non-judgmental companionship through active mourning rituals such as holding ceremonies or participating in memory-building activities like journaling or creating keepsakes, postpartum doulas help parents process their emotions while honouring their baby's memory.

Physical Care and Recovery Support: In addition to emotional support, postpartum doulas also assist bereaved parents in managing physical aspects related to pregnancy loss. These may include helping mothers recover from labour, providing guidance on self-care practices and nutrition, or assisting with practical tasks such as meal planning, household chores, or arranging for support from family and friends.

Navigating the Complexities of Grief: Grief is a complex journey that affects individuals differently. Postpartum doulas who specialize in perinatal loss possess an understanding of grief's unique dynamics and can help families navigate its complexities. They provide vital resources and information about various grieving processes, counselling services, support groups, and other bereavement resources tailored to the specific needs of each family.

Advocacy and Education: Postpartum doulas also play a crucial role in advocating for bereaved families within healthcare systems. They facilitate communication between parents and medical professionals, ensuring their concerns are understood and addressed sensitively. Additionally, they educate families about their rights, options for memorializing their baby, and assist them in making informed decisions regarding funeral arrangements or obtaining keepsakes like handprints or photographs.

The pain of losing a baby during pregnancy or childbirth is immeasurable, but no parent should have to face this heartbreak alone. During these challenging times, postpartum doulas specializing in perinatal loss offer invaluable support to grieving families by fostering understanding, empathy, and compassion. By acknowledging the significance of their experience, these doulas help parents honour their baby's memory while navigating through grief towards healing and hope.

[violetspicexxx]

#ectopicpregnancy #gofundme #recover #miscarriage