Personal Support
Normally, following the death of a family member, we would expect support to come from those closest to us. Miscarriage is unusual in that we often find the most comfort comes from other women who we are not necessarily close to but have experienced miscarriage and dealt with it in a healthy way. You will be amazed at the response when you mention miscarriage in a conversation.
Because we don't even look pregnant, often it is our silence that prevents us receiving the support we need.
Support
Other than your personal contacts, another source of women who have experienced miscarriage is your local miscarriage support group or for free professional help, Auckland callers can go to the Pregnancy Centre, 13 Maidstone St, Ponsonby or call them on 09 378 4060.
If you live outside Auckland contact your closest Miscarriage Support Group, CAB, your GP, Midwife, church or friends for a recommendation.
Support on the internet (also see other websites and recommended books under 'Resources’)
www.everybody.co.nz Internet Bulletin Board monitored by Miscarriage Support.
Honored Babies - online Memorial, a support email list and a comprehensive list of resources grouped by several categories.
SPALS - (Support for pregnancy after loss)
Google newsgroup - soc.support.pregnancy.loss is a Moderated forum for discussing all aspects of pregnancy loss. Its objective is to provide support and information for everyone experiencing or concerned about the trauma of miscarriage, (including blighted ovum), ectopic pregnancy, therapeutic terminations, still birth or neo-natal death. Postings should be supportive and non-judgemental.
The following are examples of topics appropriate to this newsgroup:
- Causes of pregnancy loss.
- Monitoring pregnancy and preventing miscarriage (where possible).
- Risks for subsequent pregnancies.
- Coping with fear in subsequent pregnancies.
- Grieving for our lost babies.
- Funerals and remembrance.
- What to say (and not to say) about pregnancy loss.
- Deciding to terminate a pregnancy when an abnormality is detected.
- Deciding to continue a pregnancy when an abnormality is detected.
- Deciding what to do when the baby has died but the pregnancy continues.
- Organisations that can helpMost importantly, this newsgroup functions as an on-line support group, a place to tell our stories and receive support from people who have been through similar experiences.
All criticism about choices made when faced with pregnancy loss are unwelcome. Unsupportive posts concerning therapeutic terminations, as well as posts debating the moral, ethical and political implications of abortion, will not be approved by the moderators under any circumstances. Flames, all pyramid selling and "get rich quick" schemes, and postings of a commercial nature (although posters will be free to recommend or criticise commercial products on a personal basis), are also unwelcome and will not be approved for posting.