Parents and families who have experienced the loss of a child can find support from many online and in-person resources.
MU Health Care’s Journeys- Pediatric Complex Care Team suggests the following websites and support groups.
Pregnancy and infant loss
- Share — Share supports families and individuals who have experienced the death of a baby through pregnancy loss, stillbirth or in the first few months of life. The organization’s website includes information on local chapters that hold support groups in Missouri as well as a variety of Facebook support groups.
- M.E.N.D. — Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death (M.E.N.D.) is a Christian nonprofit geared toward families who have experienced the loss of a baby through pregnancy loss, stillbirth or early infant death. The organization publishes free e-magazines and hosts a variety of online groups, including groups for fathers, pregnancy and parenting after a loss, and a group for Spanish-speaking families.
Pregnancy after loss
- Pregnancy After Loss Support (PALS) — Pregnancy after a loss can be especially difficult to navigate, and PALS’ mission is to support mothers along the way.
Child loss
- The Compassionate Friends — This organization provides comfort, hope and support to all family members — parents, siblings and grandparents — who have experienced the death of a young loved one.
- MISS Foundation — The MISS Foundation provides resources, one-on-one mentorship and online support groups facilitated by trained moderators who are also bereaved parents, grandparents or siblings.
Supporting siblings after a loss
- The Dougy Center — This organization provides a supportive safe space where children, teens and young adults grieving the death of a sibling can share their experiences.
- National Alliance for Grieving Children — This is a non-profit organization that supports the needs of children and teens who are grieving a death and provides education and resources for their loved ones.
Local support groups
- Journeys Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group – A Facebook community that provides a supportive place to find information and support throughout your grieving process. This group is a closed group and is managed by bereavement staff at MU Health Care. Group information can be found in the Groups section of the Women’s Hospital Facebook page.
- Graceful Wait — A ministry group in Columbia, Missouri, for women with infertility and those who have lost a baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant death. Each session begins with a joint meeting and then breaks into separate infertility and loss groups. Join Graceful Wait from 7 to 9 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month at Plume. For more information, contact Kelly Gillion at 573-823-9654 or gracefulwait@thecrossingchurch.com.
- Wings of Hope — This group serves parents who have experienced stillbirth, miscarriage and infant loss. It meets in Jefferson City on the fourth Thursday of every month from 6 to 7p.m. at the HyVee Community Room. For more information, contact Tammy at 573-632-5035.
