More information and support for various losses can also be found here:
http://atlantapnl.com/links.aspx
http://atlantapnl.com/ial.aspx
http://atlantapnl.com/osg.aspx
http://atlantapnl.com/sg.aspx
http://atlantapnl.com/ppc.aspx
http://atlantapnl.com/ll.aspx
Miscarriage:
The loss of a pregnancy/baby at less than 20 weeks gestation.
Often, the grief following a miscarriage is minimized because people don’t understand that grief
is not associated with the length of a pregnancy but with the attachment and bonding with the
pregnancy and the baby.
Many times, no definite cause can be determined.
The medical terms spontaneous abortion, missed abortion, inevitable abortion are often used by
healthcare providers but usually do not provide comfort to parents.
Chemical Pregnancy:
May account for 50 to 75 % of all miscarriages
This miscarriage occurs shortly after implantation, resulting in bleeding that occurs around the
time of the woman’s expected period. The woman may not realize that she conceived when she
experiences a chemical pregnancy.
A chemical pregnancy is a term also used to describe a positive pregnancy test as a result of a
patient having been given HCG via injection during a fertility protocol. The HCG from the
injection makes the pregnancy test positive if the test is checked too close to the injection.
Ectopic Pregnancy:
The fertilized egg attaches (or implants) someplace other than the uterus, most often in the
fallopian tube. (This is why it is sometimes called a tubal pregnancy.)
In rare cases, the egg implants in an ovary, the cervix, or the belly.
Sadly, there is no way to save an ectopic pregnancy. It cannot turn into a normal pregnancy.
If the egg keeps growing in the fallopian tube, it can damage or burst the tube and cause heavy
bleeding that could be deadly.
If you have an ectopic pregnancy, you will need quick treatment to end it before it causes
dangerous problems.
Molar Pregnancy:
A molar pregnancy is an abnormality of the placenta, caused by a problem when the egg and
sperm join together at fertilization. It’s the result of a genetic error during the fertilization
process that leads to growth of abnormal tissue within the uterus.
Molar pregnancies are rare, occurring in 1out of every 1,000 pregnancies.
Molar pregnancies are also called gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) or hydatidiform mole.
Molar pregnancies rarely involve a developing baby, and the growth of the molar pregnancy is
often more rapid than that of a normal, healthy baby.
A molar pregnancy has the appearance of a large and random collection of grape-like cell
clusters.
There are two types of molar pregnancies, “complete,” and “partial.”
Complete molar pregnancies form when the sperm fertilizes an empty egg. Because the
egg is empty, no baby is formed. The placenta grows and produces the pregnancy
hormone hCG.
Partial molar pregnancies occur when there are both the abnormal cells and an embryo
that has severe defects. In this case the baby will be overcome by the growing abnormal
mass rather quickly.
Stillbirth or IUFD (intrauterine fetal death) or SADS (Sudden Antenatal Death Syndrome):
The death of a baby before delivery (at 20 weeks gestation or greater)
Many parents who have delivered a baby at less than 20 weeks gestation will refer to their babies
as being stillborn, not miscarried.
This type of loss claims over 10 times as many babies' every year as does SIDS.
An estimated 26,000 stillbirths occur annually in the USA.
Despite advances in so many areas of obstetrics, the incidence of stillbirths in the USA has not
decreased by much for many decades.
Two-thirds of stillborn babies, including many that undergo an autopsy or genetic testing, are
diagnosed as having died for "undetermined or unknown" reasons.
Stillbirths are as random as raindrops, occurring for no apparent cause even in the case of
mothers who lead a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy.
Data collection on stillbirth is often inconsistent from state to state; however, it believed that 1
in 3 stillbirths are caused by cord accidents, infections, genetic anomalies, maternal diabetes,
and placental failures of varying kinds.
SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
SIDS is the sudden death of an infant under one year of age which remains unexplained after a
thorough case investigation, including performance of a complete autopsy, examination of the
death scene, and review of the clinical history.
Because these babies are often found in their cribs, it is also known as crib death. But, it can
occur in a bassinet, a “pack and play,” a car seat, or even in someone’s arms.
Since 1983, the rate of SIDS has fallen by over 50 percent. Sadly, there are still about 2,500
deaths per year in the United States and thousands more throughout the world.
Because SIDS often happens after parents have taken their baby home from the hospital, these
parents can usually find support outside of the Northside Perinatal Loss support groups. Click
here for more information.
Newborn or Neonatal Death:
When a baby dies in the first 28 days of life – HOWEVER, in our office, we include any baby that
has died in the NICU at any age, any loss of a baby that never went home from the hospital,
babies who were discharged from the hospital to hospice care, or babies who died after being
home from the hospital for a short time
In the USA in 2002, about 19,000 babies died in their first month
Termination of Pregnancy (for medical reasons):
Parents have to make a decision about continuing or ending pregnancy.
This is a loving, self-less, and heartbreaking choice, one they feel is better for their babies and
their families.
Regardless of the fetal anomaly found, the decision to end a pregnancy is always a difficult one.
Although it is estimated that between 80 and 95 % of parents receiving a severe prenatal
diagnosis choose to end the pregnancy, those who face this nightmare often feel alone. Many are
unable to share the details of their pregnancy loss with their loved ones.
This decision can cause complicated and intense ethical, social, moral, religious, and spiritual
crises.
Helpful resources:
http://atlantapnl.com/links.aspx
http://www.geneticalliance.org/ http://www.rarediseases.org/
http://www.arc-uk.org/
http://www.poorprenataldiagnosis.com/
http://www.nsgc.org/
http://www.birthdefects.org/
http://www.rarechromo.org/html/home.asp
http://www.rachelsvineyard.org/
http://www.afterabortion.com/maternal_health.html
Circumstances that May Complicate Perinatal Grief and Loss:
Recurrent Losses:
Defined as two or more perinatal losses (according to the American Society for
Reproductive Medicine)
Recurrent pregnancy loss is different from infertility
Loss of One or More Babies in a Set of Multiples:
There may or may not be surviving babies from the set
The babies may or may not die at the same time
The babies may or may not be delivered at the same time
The babies may or may not have all died from the same reasons
Any surviving babies are still considered part of a set of multiples. For example, if the
parents were expecting twins and one baby dies, the surviving baby is still a twin.
Perinatal Loss at some point in the Surrogacy or Adoption Process:
We recognize that a parent or parents who carry a baby for another couple or who give a
baby up for adoption will likely experience intense grief. However, the Northside Hospital
Perinatal Loss support groups are not appropriate for the grief related to surrogacy or adoption
when the pregnancy ends with the birth of a healthy baby.
Parents who were expecting a baby through surrogacy or adoption but then the
surrogacy or adoption plans are cancelled (but the pregnancy ends with the birth of a
healthy baby) will experience an intense grief. However, the Northside Hospital Perinatal
Loss support groups are not appropriate for this type of grief and loss.
In cases where there is a perinatal loss of a baby that was involved in a surrogacy or
adoption situation, our Perinatal Loss support groups are appropriate for the parents who
were expecting to take their healthy newborn baby home.
If you prefer individual or couples counseling (rather than support groups), here are
some options:
Northside Hospital Behavioral Health Office (404) 303-3471
Your fertility specialist
The agency that was handling your surrogacy or adoption process
Our office can provide you with a list of mental healthcare professionals who have a
special interest or special training in perinatal loss.
http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_results.phpcity=Atlanta&state=GA&spec=12
www.surrogacy.com
www.fertilethoughts.com
www.assistedfertility.com/index.shtml
Infertility:
Infertility is a disease or condition of the reproductive system often diagnosed after a couple has one
year of unprotected, well-timed intercourse or if the woman suffers from multiple miscarriages.
(Resolve)
Infertility can be male or female related. In 35% of cases, it’s a female problem. In 35% of the cases, it’s
a male problem. In 20% of cases, it’s a combined problem of the female and male, and in 10% of cases
it’s unexplained. (Resolve)
Infertility affects approximately 10% of the population. (Resolve)
Since infertility strikes diverse groups-affecting people from all socioeconomic levels and cutting
across all racial, ethnic and religious lines, chances are great that a friend, relative, neighbor, or
perhaps you are attempting to cope with the medical and emotional aspects of infertility. (Resolve)
Many times, people who are going through fertility treatments will mourn each month that a pregnancy
is not achieved.
Resolve offers support groups in Atlanta. For more information:
http://southeast.resolve.org/site/PageServer?pagename=seast_peergroups#GA
Other resources:
http://atlantapnl.com/ial.aspx
www.inciid.org
www.resolve.org/site/PageServer
www.atlantainfertility.com
www.ivf.com/index.php
www.fertilethoughts.com
www.surrogacy.com
www.fertilityuk.org
http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_results.phpcity=Atlanta&state=GA&spec=12
http://acupuncturists.healthprofs.com/cam/prof_results.phpcity=Atlanta&state=GA&spec=49
www.acuatlanta.net/women.html
www.nezhat.com
www.asrm.org
www.ivfwecare.com
http://rba-online.com/ivf/
http://www.ihr.com/infertility/