Support After Perinatal Loss
It is important not to be alone in your grief.

How to support those who have lost a child?

The most important aspects of communicating with a family that has experienced loss are respect, sensitivity, and support.Here are several simple but important recommendations:

• Say: “I am so sorry,” or “I am here if you need anything,” instead of “Everything will be fine,” “Pull yourself together,” or “You can have another baby.”
• Do not avoid the conversation or change the subject.
• Offer support, but do not insist if the parents decline.
• If you do not know what to say, it is okay to say nothing. Simply hugging a grieving person can already be meaningful — a way of saying, “I am with you.”

The first moments after a loss are crucial, and the quality of psychological support provided in hospitals can significantly affect the level of trauma experienced by the family. A sensitive and informed approach can help parents find the strength to continue living and reduce the risk of long-term harmful consequences for the family. Much depends on who is nearby and how knowledgeable they are in providing support after informing parents about the death of their baby.

Supporting Men After Loss

Men also experience the loss of a child, although this often remains unnoticed. Society frequently places pressure on men to hide their emotions. However, both parents need support.

Men may sometimes experience the most acute stage of grief later, after the initial attention from others has decreased and/or after they feel they have fulfilled their role of supporting their partner. The peak of pain may come several months later, and this is a normal part of grief.

Recommendations:

• Communicate with each other about the loss within the couple (and with trusted loved ones);
• It is essential to acknowledge that men also have the right to grieve;
• Grief can manifest in different ways and through various stages, ranging from tears and sadness to increased irritability or aggression.

How Can We Help?

Our organization provides comprehensive support to families who have lost a baby:

• Psychological and informational assistance following the news of a child's death at any stage of pregnancy.
• Psychological counseling during high-risk pregnancies with the threat of preterm labor.
• Support during a subsequent pregnancy (pregnancy after loss) to help reduce anxiety.
• Support for families who have lost a baby shortly after birth.

We also provide memory boxes and textile sets for the smallest babies, allowing parents to say goodbye to their little ones with dignity.

Partner Resources and Helpful Materials

In Ukraine, professional support for families experiencing perinatal loss is provided by organizations such as Early Birds, Angel Care, Imprint of Life, Natural Rights Ukraine, Be Gentle with Yourself, and others.We are grateful to journalists who are not afraid to speak about this uncomfortable yet important topic. We are also thankful to colleagues who thoughtfully develop supportive spaces and provide care and assistance for recovery after loss.



We recommend reading the following book by our partners, which provides guidance on navigating grief:
Authors: Tetiana But, Oksana Panasenko — "How to Survive the Loss of a Child and Not Go Insane / Mother of an Angel."