Support group seeks to help parents after loss of child

Ruth Padilla has seen many joyful days as an apprentice midwife.

However, the Russellville mother of six also has seen what had been an anticipated time of joy become the greatest of heartaches.

This fall, she found her life's calling by forming the Heart of Missouri chapter of the national Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss support organization.

Local support meetings will meet the second week of each month - 9-11 a.m. Monday at A Mother's Heart in Barnett, and 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Missouri River Regional Library.

"Whether the loss is recent or years ago and never talked about, this is for all moms," Padilla said. "One in four women will lose a pregnancy or a child; that's staggering."

All services are free, and there's no expectation of participation.

A social worker at A Mother's Heart, a midwifery clinic, which serves primarily a Mennonite population, Padilla said she knew from the inception the Share Chapter should reach a broader area.

Her vision for the local chapter is more than just a monthly opportunity for those who've experienced loss to gather together.

A first-time Heart of Missouri Walk for Remembrance and Hope is set for Oct. 14, and a Light of Hope holiday reflection offers special events for families to remember their little ones with a reading of names and a memorial activity.

The area Share Chapter also is a resource for parents in the midst of their loss.

Padilla hopes to spread awareness about the chapter's existence to hospitals and doctor's offices, so they can be available when a loss occurs.

The local chapter has memory-making items available to help the grieving parents honor their infant, even if it is only a few weeks along.

For babies lost before 16 weeks, there is a small heart pillow, and for babies lost in the weeks after that, they have a tiny-sized swaddle.

The chapter also can help parents collect keepsakes, such as a lock of hair, making hand or footprints or taking photographs.

They also help organize memorial services for stillborn or infant deaths.

"Whatever that looks like for those parents," she said, "this is honoring the life that was."

The keepsakes, such as knit hats or blankets, are made by other local mothers who have experienced loss. It helps them in their grief recovery, too, she said.

Another future arm of the local Share Chapter will be connecting "companions" who have worked through their loss with parents new to their grief.

The concept brings hope to the new parents that they can eventually come out of their severe emotional situation. And it also provides a way for parents whose loss is not so near to experience some healing through supporting someone else, Padilla noted.

"Grieving parents are grieving parents, and they 100 percent support one another," she said.

For more information, call 573-819-4329 or email [email protected].

Link:

www.nationalshare.org