Friday Blog Roundup - Coming Soon

First of all, I want to make it clear that I take no credit for this idea - I was asked to contribute to this wonderful site by its creators and I'm very, very happy to do so. And honored and grateful too.

The support and gentle understanding from people who truly do know what you're going through is invaluable when you find yourself struggling to navigate the terrifying and lonely road to healing after the loss of a child. The words of fellow mothers (and fathers) in mourning can be a salve on days when the pain seems almost impossible to bear.

It's those beautiful words that I'll be looking at and collecting at the end of every week, starting Friday, April 6th. It's called a Blog Roundup, made familiar to me by the good folks over at Stirrup Queens and Sperm Palace Jesters. But while they roundup blogs on infertility, parenting and loss, the roundup here will only focus on blogs written by parents in mourning.

Even though our blogs are public, our thoughts, feelings and reactions to our losses are very private and personal. That's why I will only be referencing blogs listed on this site. If you have listed your blog here, then we assume it's okay to reference it in a blog roundup every now and then too.

Please spread the word. If you know someone who you think would like to be listed here - and included in the roundup - tell them about this site. Maybe even post a link to it on your blog if you're so inclined.

There really is strength in numbers. And unwavering support and an incredible amount of understanding and love.

Canadian Study into prematurity

Nitro patches improve preemie health: study

Updated Sun. Mar. 25 2007 11:38 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff

Queen's University researchers have found giving nitroglycerin to women in premature labour greatly improves their baby's health. (continue)

Email Update from the National Stillbirth Society

From: Richard K. Olsen, Executive Director
Subject: ANOTHER STILLBIRTH MILESTONE
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2007

We've all doubtless heard the expression, "When it rains it pours." Here in the Phoenix area its especially true. We get our annual 4" of rain in about three rainfalls. But today we're here to tell you not about weather but good news about stillbirth. It involves the San Francisco Chronicle. A milestone article; three articles to be exact.

On Sunday March 5th they ran an article by Suzanne Pullen, a staff writer for the paper and a stillbirth mother. The paper received over 300 responses from readers, e-mails, call and letters. Based on that response the editors asked her to prepare another article, and that article will run this Sunday, March 25th.

In addition to the new article, which will run in the magazine section, and in the online version of the paper, Pullen prepared a second article entitled "Kicks Count" that appears exclusively in the March 25th online version of the Chronicle.

The "KICKS COUNT" article is "fabulously written - a landmark article" in the view of Dr. Jason Collins, Founder of The Pregnancy Institute. The author went to see Collins who set her up with a home fetal heartbeat monitor and tracked the real-time progress of her second pregnancy via the Internet, causing him to recommend an early delivery at 37 weeks. Mother and baby are doing fine.

There is also a link to the March 5th article in case you missed it. The three are "must" reading for any woman who is contemplating having a child, as well as those who lost a child.

Below is the link to the main article, which has in it links to the two related articles. Read them, but more important please take the time to send the link to friends and family. That way you will help build stillbirth awareness from which more good things will spring.

As those who have "walked the walk" it is our duty to help women who follow from having to take the same path. To empower them by passing on the knowledg we all wish we had before our babies were struck down.

Last of all be sure to send your comments to the paper, letting them know what the articles meant to you. You can find an e-mail link in each article. The following link to the main article should be "live" by the time you receive this.

LINK: http://www.sfgate.com/pregnancyafterloss/

Richard K. Olsen, Founder
National Stillbirth Society

California MISSing Angels Bill

The MISS Foundation has a bill currently pending in the California legislatureto help families experiencing stillbirth (see http://www.missingangelsbill.org) called the MISSing Angels Bill.

If you live in California, or know someone who does, please pass this along to them. Please visit this link and fill out (ONLY ONCE IS NECESSARY) your name in support of SB850 (Maldonado (R ) and Correa (D)). This will be sent to everylegislator who is undecided on this legislation. (See the link above for moreinformation on the bill).

http://70.84.121.98/~jnevels/support.php?se_id=13

New York Times article on perinatal hospice

A March 13, 2007 article in the New York Times discusses options for parents facing poor prenatal diagnosis or stillbirth. Hospice programs help parents make the most of the brief time they have with their babies.

Canadian couple urges screening for vasa previa in all pregnancies

Screening urged for pregnancy complication
Updated Thu. Mar. 22 2007 6:11 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff

A Canadian couple is raising the alarm about a rare but serious pregnancy complication, insisting that better screening could have prevented the death of their baby daughter. (continue)

National Vital Statistic Report

The Centers for Disease Control (USA) issued their most recent National Vital Statistics Report in February of 2007. The report dealing with Fetal and Perinatal Mortality in 2003 can be found here.

Oprah: Babyloss Theme

The Oprah Show is currently looking for people who have experienced the loss of a baby.

To submit your story, please visit Oprah's website.