Organizations for Pregnancy and Infant Loss

National Share: Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support

Provide support for grieving families after the death of a baby. There are chapters all over the U.S. They offer support groups and many other services. @nationalshare

Pregnancy After Loss Support

This is a resource and community for navigating pregnancy after loss. They have meet-ups and online support groups and an online magazine. @pregnancyafterlosssupport

Saying Goodbye, Mariposa Trust, UK

Zoe Clark-Coates: Author of 4 books and a podcast. Truly an amazing resource for pregnancy and infant loss. They have it all here. @zoeadelle

Star Legacy Foundation

“A community of health professionals, families, researchers, policy makers, and advocates dedicated to healthy pregnancy outcomes and stillbirth prevention.” They have events, resources and support groups. @starlegacyfoundation

Still Birth Day

A Pregnancy Loss is Still a Birthday. Resource for birth, birth plans, doulas, healing after loss and much more. @stillbirthday

I Had a Miscarriage

Dr. Jessic Zucker: author of the book I Had a Miscarriage. Real talk about miscarriage. @IHadAMiscarriage

Sands, UK

Nonprofit organization - Overall support for bereaved families and working to reduce the number of babies dying. There are chapters all over Europe. @sandscharity

A Bed For My Heart

Angela Miller: Author of You Are the Mother of All Mothers. Amazingly well written blog and grief coaching. @abedformyheart

An Unexpected Family Outing

Rachel Whalen: Writer/blogger on baby loss @unexpectedfamilyouting

Still Standing Magazine

"for all who are grieving child loss & infertility" Articles written by parents who are struggling with loss of a child through miscarriage or stillbirth as well as parents who are dealing with issues realted to fertility.

Still Mothers

This blog and resource is for those who would like a space to grieve without the extra triggers of babies and talk of pregnancy after loss. @stillmothers

First Candle

“committed to ending Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths while providing bereavement support to families who have experienced a loss. @firstcandle

Grieving Parents Support Network

Nathalie Himmelreich: Author of Grieving Parents: Surviving Loss As A Couple. Online resource and community for grieving parents.

Click for More Organizations

There are many more organizations that can help you. Lots have very focused missions that may align with what you need.

Organizations for General Grief

Refuge In Grief: Megan Devine

Megan is a trailblazer trying to change the way grief is viewed in everyday life. She’s the author of It’s OK to not be OK and has many resources, a helpful youtube channel, and a “writing your grief” course/community. @refugeingrief

What's Your Grief?

“You Don’t have to grieve alone. What’s Your Grief is a place for sharing, support, resources, & more.” They also offer online and in-person continuing education training fro grief support professionals. @whatsyourgrief

Organizations for Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression is very common and should be discussed in the open. Unfortunately, having a baby after a loss makes us even more prone to Postpartum Depression. Tell your partner and family about this so they can look for the signs. Many times we can’t see that we need help while we’re in the midst of crisis.

Postpartum Depression Alliance of Illinois

PPDIL's mission is to promote awareness, prevention and treatment of maternal mental health. @postpartumdepressionil

Postpartum Support International

We help parents through perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. You are not alone. You are not to blame. With help, you will be well. Call or Text the PSI HelpLine: 1-800-944-4773 @postpartumsupportinternational

Organizations for Mental Health

NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

"The nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI Helpline 800-950-6264 M-F, 10am - 6pm EST. text "NAMI" to 741741 for 24/7 confidential, free crisis counseling. @namicommunicate

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

"We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals." 1-800-273-8255

Therapists

Guess what? You can find a therapist that is certified in Perinatal Mental Health!

Right after I lost Gigi I didn’t want to go see “any therapist” so my solution was not to see one!  =)  I needed to be sure that the person I talked to really understood what I was going through.

Now loss families can choose from a list of therapists that have taken the time to become extra certified to help this community.  Just look for the PMH-C letters after their name.

You can GO HERE if you want to learn more about this certification from Postpartum Support International’s website.

The list below is made of therapists from all over who have an interest in helping with perinatal mental health.  (I received their permission to list them here, and others asked to be included.)  They are all offering virtual appointments.  Let me know your favorites!

Natalie Stage, MA, LCPC, PMH-C

(I have first hand knowledge that she's awesome.)

Shannon Merkin, MSW, LCSW, PMH-C

Healing Path Counseling, LLC

Rachael Egge, MA, LCPC

Certificate of Completion in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder from Postpartum Support International

Kate Jensen, NCC, LCPC, CAADC, CCTP

Prenatal/Postpartum, Trauma, Addictions, & Relationship Counseling Counselor. Certificate of Completion in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders from Postpartum Support International.

Dr. Nikki Massey-Hastings, PsyD, LCP

Jennifer Falbo-Negron, LCPC, RYT-500, PSEP, CHT

Phoenix Rising Solutions, LLC. Offers counseling in Prenatal and Postpartum Anxiety and/or Depression (and many other areas)

Kayla Huszar, Bachelors in Social Work & Certification in Expressive Art Therapy

@Kayla.Huszar Offers a variety of services including: Virtual & studio women's expressive art therapy, support groups for new moms & therapeutic postpartum support, and much more!

Funeral Homes

Unfortunately, this is a reality of loss.  These are just some of the local (western suburbs of Chicago) funeral homes that are available to help you.

Wheaton, IL

Williams-Kampp Funeral Home

430 E. Roosevelt Rd; 630-688-0016 ** This is where we had Gigi's wake and they were amazing. They also handled her cremation and urn.
Aurora, IL

Daleiden Mortuary

220 N. Lake Street, Aurora; 630-631-5500
Aurora, IL

Healy Chapel Funeral Home

332 W. Downer Place, Aurora; 630-897-9291
Bolingbrk, IL

McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Chapel and Crematorium

530 W. Boughton Road; 630-759-1212
Chicago Hts, IL

Robey Park Manor Funeral Home

2520 Chicago Rd; 708-756-2310
Downers Grove, IL

Hallowell & James Funeral Home

301 75th St.; 630-964-6500
Glen Ellyn, IL

Leonard Memorial Home

565 Duane Street; 630-469-0032
Lisle, IL

Markiewicz Funeral Home

108 Illinois St; 630-257-6363
Lombard, IL

Brust Funeral Home

135 South Main Street; 630-629-0094
Naperville, IL

Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes and Crematory

Downtown Naperville: 516 S. Washington St., 630-355-0264 South Naperville: 24021 W. Royal Worlington Dr., 630-922-9630
Naperville, IL

Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home

44 S. Mill St; 630-355-0213
Oswego, IL

Dunn Family Funeral Home

332 W. Downer Place, Aurora; 630-897-9291
Oswego, IL

McKeown-Dunn Funeral Home

210 South Madison Street; 630-554-8484
Worth, IL

Schmaedeke Funeral Home

10701 S. Harlem Ave; 708-448-6000

Just breathe.