Subsequent Pregnancy...
| Home page |
| What we offer |
| Angel on a star |
| Poetry |
| Please Donate |
| Articles-Newsletters |
| Support |
| Just for Dads |
| The Adoption Option |
| In Our Community |
| Links |
| Madison Memorial |
Angel Whispers
c/o Families First Society
PO Box 3285
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Canada
T8L 1L2
(780)998-5595, ext. 227
Let your hopes,
not your hurts
shape your future.
~~~~~~~~~~
You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present.
~Jan Glidewell~
Our subsequent pregnancy support group meetings are for families who are happily but anxiously pregnant again after previously losing a baby. Families who are trying to conceive are also welcome to attend. Meetings are usually held on the second Sunday of every month in Sherwood Park at the Family and Community Services Office at 401 Festival Lane, also known as 2001 Sherwood Drive. Please come to the rear/library entrance and proceed up the elevator on the left to the second floor. Please call ahead to register (998-5595, ext. 225). Click here for map.
Here are the latest dates:
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
One of the things we talk about in our subsequent pregnancy meetings is the importance of creating a birth plan, so that families can decide some important aspects of their care. Another reason is so that care providers know exactly what families are going through emotionally, after previously losing a baby. Here is a birth letter written by one of our facilitators, Melissa, to her providers:
My name is Melissa and my husband is Blair. I want to thank you for taking the time to read our birth letter. We have thought about this day with great excitement, anticipation as well as fear for a very long time. I thank you for being part of this beautiful day with us. My health has been very good throughout this pregnancy, and there have been no complications. This has to do with the excellent support from my doctor, Dr. Boulton, and both of my doulas, Lori-Ann and Cheryl, who will continue to provide nurturance and guidance during labour and delivery. Also Blair and I have been reading and learning a lot over the past few months in an attempt to provide our baby with the best care and to explore our options available in creating a positive birthing experience. As I labour through the moments that will lead to my second child's birth, I ask that you share in our joy, but also to understand our fear.
Our daughter Madison was born on June 7th, 1999. What an absolutely joyous day, as well as the saddest day of our lives. Our Maddie was born at 39 weeks, 1 day gestation, weighing 8ibs. 3oz. and measuring 19 1/2 inches long. Maddie unfortunately was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and a restrictive atrial septum. Madison lived for approximately 5 1/2 hours and passed away in my arms with her Daddy looking on. Maddie was our gift to God, and this little gift from god is our second child, so we hope you can understand our joy as well as our sorrow. We know this little ones heart is healthy, but will still not be able to relax until baby is safe in our arms.
In advance, I want to thank you for your knowledge of labour and birth and your expertise in this area, which will help you to support us during this time. I look forward to your suggestions, reminding me of my options and your reassurance. Unless medically necessary, Blair and I prefer to allow the natural process of labour and birth to take its course. We know that you will understand and respect our desire for as little intervention as possible. However, as this is my first time labouring, as I had a planned c-section with Madison, and I am not sure how I will react, I realize I should not hold steadfast to my expectations. If problems develop, I understand that we may have to let go of some of our preferences, but knowing that you are working with us as a team to realize our dream of taking home a healthy baby and of a positive birthing experience means so much to us.
We will also be more comfortable if you do not invite medical interns, residents and/or nursing students to join us, as we are unsure as to how we will react to the arrival of our second child. We are extremely excited, but are also aware that we will be mourning for our Maddie. As Darby or Tyler gently enters this world, please help me to watch and feel him/her emerge. As much as possible, please support my perineal area with massage, hot oil compresses, and your expertise of encouraging controlled pushing and positions which promote stretching.
After our little one is born, we would appreciate having him/her be immediately put in my arms and also to allow Blair to cut the umbilical cord. Unless medically necessary we would prefer that Darby or Tyler remain in the room with us at all times so that we can get to know each other quickly.
Thank you SO much for taking the time to learn what would truly make this a positive birthing experience for us.
Sincerely,
Blair and Melissa
These websites are for parents who are experiencing a high-risk pregnancy or infertility problems. SPALS stands for “subsequent pregnancy after loss support.” Sidelines is not specifically for parents who have lost a baby, rather anyone who is having a difficult pregnancy: