Grief <BGSOUND SRC="heart.mid" LOOP=INFINITE>

			Grief
	The death of a baby - whether before or after birth - is a profound tragedy.  If you have lost a baby at any stage of pregnancy or during or after delivery, you are going through an emotionally painful time.  Not only is kind of loss usually sudden but to many parents it also seems so unfair that the baby they have been hoping for should be taken away. The loss of your baby will require timefor you to grieve.  It is important for you to know you are not alone.  The grief you feel over the loss of your baby is a natural process of healing.  The memory will always be with you and should not be downplayed or denied. Grief is a normal and necessary response to the loss of your baby.  The grieving process may last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. Grieving occurs in stages, that may overlap or repeat.  There is no correct way to grieve.  Each person will grieve in their own way. - Shock and numbness are the minds way of protecting itself when first faced with a great loss. Your first reactions to the news of your baby's death may be denial, a complete lack of feeling or an inavility to grasp what the death means. - Searching and yearning may begin when the initial shock phase has begun to pass.  You begin to look for a reason for your baby's death.  You may feel guilty or think that you did something to cause it.  You may feel angry at your partner, doctor, or a mother of a healthy baby. - Depression and loneliness are a part of the next phase, during which the most intense emotins begin to ease.  you may feel tired and run down, sad, disoriented and helpless.  Somehow you slowly begin to get back on your feet and accept your loss. - Acceptance is the final stage of grieving.  You begin to have a renewed energy and the baby's death no longer dominates your thoughts.  you find yourself resuming activites and social contacts, laughing with friends and making plans for the future. As you grieve you may have other feelings or physical symptoms tht are also natural and normal.  These could include, aches and pains, tight feelings in the chest and throat, heart flutters, heahaches, trouble sleeping, nightmares, loss of appetite, tiredness, fatique, loss of memory, inability to concenterate and preoccupation with the baby. This is just  general information for you to understand the feelings you may be experiencing and to know they are normal.  If you ever have questions you should contact your doctor or clergy for support and more information. If you would like to talk to someone who has been through a loss consider visiting our Support Pals page and picking a lady or two to corresponse with.  I have made this page with love and hope you find peace. Home