Rituals for Pregnancy Loss in the age of Covid-19

Description

The Covid-19 pandemic has altered radically the landscape of grief and mourning. What does this mean for those suffering after pregnancy and/or infant loss?

What rituals of loss can be adapted for this time?

The healing power of ritual is a central component to the Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss training ~ which over 900 birth and mental health professionals have taken.

Yet, what does ritual look like today given our global pandemic? How can mental health professionals and birth/death doulas support bereaved parents in crafting meaningful rituals at this time? How can bereaved parents mindfully and compassionately support their own grieving/mourning process in the absence of the traditional gatherings of family/friends due to Covid-19?

On Saturday, August 1st, Amy Wright Glenn teamed up with Janine Maitri, founder of the Sierra Childbirth Institute in offering live presentation/break out room discussion exploring the significance of rituals relating to pregnancy loss in the age of Covid-19.

The 77-minute recording of this presentation is now available for purchase.

Given the profound implications of the global pandemic on rituals of mourning, this is a personal and professional development course not to miss.

Student midwives at Birthwise Midwifery School value and appreciate Amy’s grounding and open presence, her wealth of knowledge, and the care and safety with which she holds space for conversations around pregnancy loss. We in the Academic Department are honored to welcome here as an elective instructor, and we see the deep value of her heart-offering to our classes of future midwives. I encourage you to study with Amy whenever you have the chance!

Read more testimonials.

Related articles:

Holding space for pregnancy loss ~ 3 components for doulas to consider

Poems that honor the postpartum body following loss

When the baby dies: Advice for birth doulas who companion the bereaved

Unconditional Support: A day in the life of an abortion doula

On gratitude and grief: Mother donates 92 gallons of breast milk following pregnancy loss 

Miscarriage matters: In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month 

Giving birth to life and death 

Doula for the dying: Connecting birth and death 

“Most importantly, however, doulas of birth and death can draw upon the wisdom of companioning in supporting devastated families to turn inward. We can hold space as they embrace the grief of a little one’s death. And we can do our humble best to show up with a courageous, quiet, gentle and loving heart.

‘It was the rare few who were willing to bear witness to our pain, memories and love,’ Nichols laments. Those of us teaching doula care practices to best support both the birthing and dying are working to change that.”

Amy Wright Glenn, “When the baby dies” ~ published via PhillyVoice