books

Resource information on this site is provided for your convenience. The views expressed in these publications may not necessarily represent the views of Miscarriage Support Auckland Inc, New Zealand.

- miscarriage pregnancy and health
- loss and grief
- death

miscarriage pregnancy and health
Coping with Miscarriage (NZ)
Kitch Cuthbert and Sandra van Eden
New Zealand Women's Health Series Reed Methuen, Auckland, 1987.
Coping with Miscarriage has been written to help women and their partners cope with this distressing event. It explains the process and aftermath of miscarriage in physical and emotional terms; it suggests ways in which women can help themselves come to terms with their miscarriages and derive support from their families, friends and the community. An authoritative and sensitive book offering information, reassurance and support for women and their partners, and it gives health professionals an insight into their role in helping women during and after miscarriage.
3 copies

A Silent Sorrow:Pregnancy Loss: Guidance and Support For You and Your Family
Ingrid Kohn, Perry-lynn Moffit and Isabelle Wilkins
Routledge, New York and London, 2nd ed, 2000.
An excellent book on pregnancy loss and how to cope with it. Offers comfort, coping strategies and the latest information on causes, diagnosis and treatment.

Baby Gone: True New Zealand stories of infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss
Jenny Douché, Published by Hugs Press Limited 2011, distributed by Random House
Baby Gone contains 45 true stories that are written from the heart by those affected.
If you, or someone you know, is missing a part of their lives this book may give great comfort.
www.babygone.com

Beyond Childlessness
Rachel Black and Louise Scull
Published by Rodale International Ltd. June 2005
To order http://www.beyondchildlessness.com/
For every woman who wanted to have a child and didn't.

Coming to Term
Jon Cohen
Published by Houghton Mifflin November 2005
A review of the known science behind miscarriage including actual studies and information about the mechanism of miscarriage, providing hope for couples trying to conceive after multiple losses. See review http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art41579.asp

Endometriosis: One Woman's Story (NZ)
Megan Harvey
Shoal Bay Press, Christchurch, 1997.
Relates Megan's long struggle from the confusion of years of unexplained blinding pain to the relief of diagnosis, the grief of infertility and eventual 'cure' - in her case, a complete hysterectomy at the age of 22. Case studies, treatment advice and a strong underlying theme of emotional support make this book an essential and affirming guide for endometriosis sufferers, their friends and families. The problems Megan endured, emotional as well as physical, make harrowing reading - but her journey back to a 'normal', happy life show that it is possible to be an endometriosis survivor.

Healing Mind, Healthy Woman
Alice Domar Ph.D. and Henry Dreher
USA 1996 Sub-titled “Using the Mind-Body connection to manage stress and take control of your life”, this is a practical book is full of different relaxing techniques. The authors then talk about specific “women’s problems” including miscarriage and infertility and suggests how to use relaxation techniques to help. It’s all very Californian, but would be helpful in that scary subsequent pregnancy.

Help, Comfort and Hope - After losing your baby and pregnancy in the first year
Hannah Lothrop
Published by Da Capo - LifeLong

Hidden Loss: Miscarriage and Ectopic Pregnancy, a Women’s Press Handbook Series
UK,1989, fully revised 1996. This book has really excellent information on causes of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy as well as options in subsequent pregnancies. Useful glossary of terms too. It has a strong feminist perspective and includes personal stories about elective abortion as well as miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. The language is sometimes a bit academic, but otherwise it’s a great book.

Infertility (NZ)
Sue Sanders
Penguin, Auckland, 1998.
The first hand experience of a patient undergoing the complicated procedures of infertility treatment.

Is Your Body Baby-Friendly?
Unexplained Infertility, Miscarriage and IVF Failure - Explained.
by Alan E. Beer M.D.
ISBN 0978507800
(Published October 28th 2006)
http://www.babyfriendlybook.com/

What to do when your immune system says "no" to pregnancy. This new book contains information on the latest medical tests and treatments to help women conceive and carry to term. Working in long distance collaboration with IVF doctors and RE's all over the world, Dr Beer has achieved a success rate of over 85% in a patient group whose average age exceeds 36. The book also includes a special section on environmental toxins how natural therapies can work alongside conventional drug treatments to help balance the immune system and make it more "baby friendly".

"Finally, a clear message that recurrent IVF failure, infertility and miscarriage can be categorized and treated. This book is a wonderful resource for all those struggling with recurrent failure and loss." - Christo Zouves, M.D., Founder and Director of the Zouves Fertility Center.

Life After Baby Loss (NZ)
Nicola Miller-Clendon
Tandem Press, Auckland 2003
A guide to pregnancy and infant loss and subsequent pregnancy in NZ. Nicola is a practising midwife and childbirth educator and has lost 4 babies at various stages of pregnancy.

Miscarriage
Ann Oakley, Ann Macpherson and Helen Roberts
Britain, 1984, revised 1990 Contains lots of good medical information and common sense advice.

Miscarriage: A Shattered Dream
Sherokee Ilse and Linda Hammer Burns
Wintergreen Press, Minnesota, 1985.
A comprehensive and insightful perspective on possible causes, medical terminology, choices and decisions, emotional aspects, planning for the future, coping suggestions and resources. Supportive and comforting.

Miscarriage: What Every Woman Needs to Know
Professor Lesley Regan
Bloomsbury, London, 1997.
Lesley Regan runs the largest miscarriage clinic in Europe at St Mary's Hospital, London. An extremely interesting and informative book, written for both patients and doctors. In addition to addressing miscarriage causes, Dr.Regan also includes a section on answering common questions and offers practical advice on preparing for your next pregnancy.

Miscarriage: Why it happens and how best to reduce your risks - A doctors guide to the facts
Henry Lerner M.D., OB/GYN, With contributions by Alice Domar, Ph.D
Introduction by Robert Barbieri, M.D.
Perseus Publishing.
Amazon

Miscarriage: Women's experiences and needs
Christine Moulder
Britain, 1990
This very comprehensive book includes personal stories, medical information and useful tips and suggestions.

Positively Pregnant (NZ)
Emma Patton
Penguin, Auckland, 1998.
After Emma's first baby died, she was determined not to let the loss destroy all the joy of her subsequent pregnancy. Contains a very sensitive section on miscarriage and baby death.

Pregnancy after Loss
Jane Warland Australia, 1996
This book was self-published by an Australian midwife and survivor of miscarriage and stillbirth. Like many books, it’s more geared towards women who have experienced stillbirth, but so much of it is still relevant that it seemed a worth purchasing - especially as it is the only book I can find on this subject. Worthwhile reading if you are pregnant again or contemplating becoming so.

Subfertility: A Natural Approach to Getting Pregnant (NZ)
Julie Reid
Tandem Press, Auckland, 1999.
An increasingly common problem discussed frankly and practically. Lists many steps that you can take at home before seeking either alternative or medical help.

Taking Control: How to Aim for a Successful Pregnancy (NZ)
Diana Plater
Double Day, Auckland, 1997.
A must read for those who enjoy taking control.

Talking About Miscarriage
Sarah Murphy
Sheldon Press, London, 1992.
An easy to read book by another woman whose experience of miscarriage left her wanting to help others through the process.

The Infertility Diet; Get pregnant and Prevent Miscarriage
Fern Reiss
Peanut Butter & Jelly Press
available from Amazon for $24.95 as a paperback.

The Woman Doctor's Guide to Miscarriage
Lynne Friedman with Irene Daria
A very down to earth book with up-to-date information. It also has stories from women in several different circumstances.

Well Woman
Dr Miriam Stoppard
Dorling Kindersley, London, 1998.
A guide to gynaecological health for women of all ages, from puberty to menopause and beyond. Easy to read and well illustrated.
2 copies

We Were Gonna Have a Baby, But We Had an Angel Instead
by Pat Schwiebert illustrated by Taylor Bills.
The illustrations are beautiful with little text. Preschoolers and older toddlers would understand what the book is saying. The baby is eventually illustrated as an angel and talks about how 'the baby always lives in your heart'. There are suggestions at the end of the book for helping adults help their children deal with their grief which is processed differently.

Woman's Trouble
Ruth Trickey and Kaz Cooke
Allen & Unwin, Australia, 1998.
Covers everything from the first period to the last - and everything that can go wrong in between. Fun to read yet sensible and thorough, it helps you to make your own decisions about treatment. It explains the self-care, natural therapies and medical solutions for a huge range of 'women's troubles'.

loss and grief
A Guide For Fathers When a Baby Dies
Tim Nelson
Revised 2007 and self-published, available at Amazon.
Unlike most books on miscarriage and infant loss, this book is written particularly for dads. Most men seem to process their grief differently from women but that does not mean fathers are not as affected by these losses in their own way.

Angel Baby – A Journal of Healing After the Loss of an Unborn, Born Still or Newborn Child
Carey Knifong
Publisher PublishAmerica
ISBN-10 1413747914
Part journal, part memoir, Carey wrote the book after experiencing the loss of her son Kodey just after his birth and goes on to pose open-ended questions hoping to get readers thinking about things. Questions are non-judgmental and filled with phrases like “I felt,” “I wondered” and “It comforts me when…
She covers an extensive variety of topics including grandparents' grief, dealing with holidays, thoughts about God fathers, guilt and pregnancy memories among other things.

Empty Arms (NZ)
Deborah Watkin
Education Unit, National Women's Hospital, Auckland, 1997.
Sensitively and beautifully written by a psychologist who personally experienced neonatal death.

For the Rest of Our Lives: After the Death of a Child (NZ)
Bev Gatenby
Reid, Auckland, 1998.
Bev Gatenby is on the staff of Waikato University so the book is set in a New Zealand context. While she discusses surviving the death of born children, much of what she says applies to parents bereaved by miscarriage.

Good Grief
Granger E. Westberg
Fortress Press, Minneapolis, 1997.
This now classic booklet which has run to its 35th edition, offers a constructive approach to the problem of loss.
3 copies

Hidden Loss: Miscarriage and Ectopic Pregnancy
Valerie Hay, Catherine Itzin, Lesley Saunders and Mary Anne Speakman
Women's Press, London, 2nd ed, 1996.
While highly informative, many would find this book written for counsellors and doctors heavy going.

Hope is Like the Sun:
Finding Hope and Healing After Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Infant Death
by Lisa Church
Price: $15.95 Length: 176 pages
Follow the author and four of her friends as they navigate the difficult journey through pregnancy loss. This book offers information, helpful advice, and practical tips that will begin your path toward healing today.

Loss
Elspeth Barker
Dent, London, 1997.
Poems about loss.

When Bad Things Happen to Good People

Harold Kushner
Pan, London, 1981.
Written by a Jewish rabbi, it helps us to put difficult life experiences into perspective, highly encouraging, recommended for those who feel 'stuck'.

Miscarriages hurt men too
Peter Burdon
The Write Advice, Christchurch 2006
Twelve men from around the world share their miscarriage experiences in this
ebook.

Mommy, Please Don't Cry: There Are No Tears in Heaven
Linda Deymaz.
It's written from a child in Heaven's point of view.

Silent Grief
Miscarriage - Child Loss, Finding your way through the darkness
Clara Hinton, Published by New Leaf Press
http://www.silentgrief.com/store/silentgrief/

death
Embraced by the Light: What Happens When You Die

Betty Eadie
Thorsons, London, 1992.
One person's opinion on what may possibly happen to our babies after death.

Empty Cradle, Broken Heart – Surviving the Death of Your Baby
Deborah L. Davis Ph.D.
“Resolution does not signal an end to grief. You will always feel longing and sadness.”

On Life After Death
Elisabeth Kubbler-Ross
Celestial Arts, California 1991.
A condensed easier to read version of her original, now classic work on death.