IN THIS NEWSLETTER:​

• PS-WA Board Member Article "Dads Grieve Too"
• A Farewell to Allie
• Pregnancy and Infant Loss Resources
• Partner Spotlight -Return to Zero Hope
• Third Trimester? Count the Kicks

“Dads Grieve Too":
5 Ways to Acknowledge and Support Grieving Fathers in the Aftermath of Pregnancy and Infant Loss

By Shakima “Kima” Tozay, LICSW, PMH-C, CCM, CDP©

(Trigger warning: loss) The Silent Experiences of Grieving Pregnancy Loss. Families impacted by pregnancy loss (i.e., miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal loss, or  SIDS death) face stigma, disenfranchised grief, and isolation. For instance, the emotional impact on grieving fathers is rarely discussed. Historically, their experiences with pregnancy loss have been left in the shadows. 

A quarter of all pregnancies are miscarried, and 24,000 babies are born stillborn every year. In 2020 alone, the Centers for Disease Control reported 21,000 stillbirths in the United States. However, despite these shocking figures, we still don't talk about the particular kind of grief that comes with this loss and its devastating effects.

Recently, how pregnancy loss emotionally affects families, specifically fathers, has grown more visible. In September 2020, singer John Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, shared their grief with the world through intimate online photos as they mourned the death of their son Jack at just 20 weeks gestation. 

Hello friends,

In case you missed my big announcement this week, I’ve made the difficult decision to say farewell after four incredible years. My last day will be November 1st.

Writing my last note for this newsletter is a full circle moment for me. I first joined PS-WA following my experience with depression after a loss and I was lucky to benefit from the organization’s resources and empathetic care when I later became a postpartum psychosis survivor and NICU mom.

Throughout the years, we have made considerable inroads to uplift those experiencing depression, anxiety, loss, infertility, trauma, and more. Many of us who work and volunteer here have experienced these issues firsthand and are passionate about seeing others through the darkness. I’m very grateful to have served this organization alongside so many amazing people who bravely share their stories and experiences in support of others. 

Our Board of Directors and staff will be busy in the coming months putting together a search committee for the next leader for our new chapter. Stay tuned for more updates - and please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions during this transition. 

I’ll always support Perinatal Support Washington and I’m sure we will cross paths again. 

With great appreciation,

Allie

• Our very own Warm Line offers emotional support and referrals for therapy and support groups  
• How Families and Friends Can Help -Star Legacy Foundation
• Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Groups -Postpartum Support International 
• Still Standing Magazine
• Financial Assistance for Stillbirth -Hayden's Helping Hands

Our Warm Line and other PS-WA programs are underwritten by donations from individuals like you. Please support our work today!

RTZ HOPE provides compassionate and holistic support for people who have experienced unimaginable loss during their journey to parenthood. They offer resources, support groups, and inclusive support for anyone whose life has been touched by loss, including miscarriage, termination for medical reasons (TFMR), stillbirth, infant or toddler death, loss through surrogacy, and failed adoption. Our board member Kima - above - is also their Past Board President! Check them out here: rtzhope.org

WARM LINE: 1-888-404-7763 (PPMD), Se habla español

Support, Education, Referral