Good Mourning Counseling
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Help After Your Baby Dies

You're in a state of shock...sad, angry, longing for what was, and what might have been.

Losing a child is the most devastating thing you've ever experienced. Your family, friends, and even your partner may not know how to support you. It is a physically and emotionally consuming process, and you may feel stuck, out-of-control, vulnerable, and wondering why this happened. It is normal to feel angry, defective, jealous, or hopeless as people around you become pregnant, have babies and go on with their lives.

You've not only lost your precious child, but you've lost an entire lifetime with him or her. You are forever changed, and few people understand the depth of your pain.

These are some common emotional responses following the loss of a pregnancy or baby that you might relate to:
  • Waves of unexpected and overwhelming emotions
  • Numbness
  • Tension in relationships or with your partner
  • Feelings of guilt
  • "What if" thoughts
  • Difficulty talking with others about your loss
  • Fear about having another baby
  • Existential and/or spiritual crisis that colors your world view
  • Somatic symptoms (i.e. racing heart, chest pain, sighing, changes in appetite or sleep, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, irritability)

Research shows that early psychological intervention can effectively decrease emotional distress, depression and anxiety in the first year after a loss. So if you're suffering, the sooner you seek help the sooner you will feel better.

You can prevent becoming stuck in some of these feelings if you get help now! I encourage you to come talk with me if you've experienced...
  • Miscarriage
  • Stillbirth
  • Multiple losses
  • Death of twin(s)
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Embryonic loss
  • IVF and other assisted reproductive losses
  • Infant death
  • SIDS
  • Traumatic births
  • High-risk pregnancy
  • Lethal fetal diagnoses
  • Death of mother during childbirth

Schedule an Appointment
Email Anisa at goodmourningcc@gmail.com


Support Group

Our Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Group meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month in Chesapeake.
Click below for details and to register.

Click to view or print flyer

Helpful Info for YOU

Here is a packet of articles specific to perinatal loss and grief. There's information for mothers, fathers, grandparents and other relatives, siblings/children, friends & co-workers, as well as books and websites. See additional links to resources below.
Perinatal Loss Packet for Parents

Perinatal Loss Alert Program

This easy-to-implement program enhances patient-physician communication and collaboration with an effective method of ALERTING office staff to perinatal losses, and increases empathy and understanding shown to bereaved parents.

To learn more, or to see how you can help implement this in your doctor's office, click below.

**Bereaved parents receive a free booklet at your first  counseling session with me

Learn More about PLAP
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More Resources

BABIES REMEMBERED
The website of Sherokee Ilse, author of Empty Arms: Coping with Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Neonatal Death and 17 other books and booklets. Here you'll get help in finding support, understanding, compassionate care, guidance, resources, networking links, speakers, perinatal loss consultants, excellent standards of bereavement care, literature, and so much more.

BABY LOSS FAMILY ADVISORS
Well-trained, independent Advisors (also Baby Loss Doulas) are available to help newly bereaved families navigate the system and their journey. Such help can come as soon as the news is given (via phone, email, text, and in person when possible). Many are well-healed bereaved parents themselves or birth professionals--all who have the heart and the wisdom to help. Trained by Sherokee Ilse and/or her personally chosen Associates.


BIRTHWAVES
BirthWaves is a non-profit organization that provides doula services to families who experience pregnancy and infant losses. We are not doctors, nurses or counselors. We are trained and certified agency of doulas who are specialized in offering bereavement support to families of babies and small children.

KENNEDY'S ANGEL GOWNS

Kennedy's Angel Gowns mission is to Help, Heal, and Give Back to bereaved families by providing hand-crafted burial gowns for baby girls, and vests & ties for baby boys, at NO cost to families who have suffered the loss of a child before, during, or shortly after birth. These beautiful garments are hand crafted and sewn from some of the finest materials, as they are made from donated wedding gowns. Kennedy's Angel Gowns also helps bereaved families access other resources, and strives to raise awareness of infertility and baby loss.

HEAVENLY ANGELS IN NEED
A ministry that sews gowns for babies in the NICU as well as makes burial gowns for infants who have died.

PLIDA
The Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death Alliance (PLIDA) supports health care practitioners and parent-advocates in their efforts to improve care for families who experience the death of a baby during pregnancy, birth, or infancy.

MISS FOUNDATION
The MISS Foundation is an international 501(c)3, volunteer based organization providing C.A.R.E. [counseling, advocacy, research, and education] services to families experiencing the death of a child.

CLIMB SUPPORT
The Center for Loss in Multiple Birth (CLIMB) is a non-profit organization serving families and others throughout the United States, Canada and beyond. Our mission is, and always has been, to provide parent-to-parent support for all of us who have experienced the death of one or more of our twins or higher multiple birth children at any time from conception through birth, infancy and early childhood.

SHARE PREGNANCY & INFANT LOSS SUPPORT
Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support is a community for anyone who experiences the tragic death of a baby. We often serve parents, grandparents, siblings, and others in the family unit, as well as the professionals who care for grieving families. Share is a national organization with over 75 chapters in 29 states. Our services include bed-side companions, phone counseling, face-to-face support group meetings, resource packets, private online communities, memorial events, training for caregivers, and so much more.

GRIEF WATCH

As part of its mission to the bereaved, Grief Watch and its companion program, Perinatal Loss, publish books, video productions, ceramics and other helpful resources aimed at persons who have suffered loss.

GRIEF SPEAKS
Grief Speaks is an organization that provides tons of resources for bereaved parents, and also presentations and training to schools, hospitals, agencies and conferences on grief, loss and healthy coping. The mission of Grief Speaks is to normalize grief in our "Get over it and move on" society. The vision to give every child, teenager and adult permission to grieve in his or her own way and time, through all different types of losses and transitions.

OCTOBER 15TH
The official site of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day offers support, education, and awareness for those who are suffering or may know someone who is suffering the loss of a infant, stillborn, ectopic pregnancy, or miscarriage.

STILL BIRTHDAY
If you are miscarrying or found out that your baby is not expected to survive past delivery, the website walks you through a path of informational links specific to your situation.

BORN STILL
The purpose is to promote awareness/prevention of stillborns, to support those parent/families that have experienced the loss of a child, and to learn more through research/resources as well as individual stories on this unspoken topic/issue.

INTERNATIONAL STILLBIRTH ALLIANCE
The International Stillbirth Alliance (ISA) is an alliance of member organizations and individual supporters working towards stillbirth prevention and improvement of bereavement care worldwide.

TWINLESS TWINS
Twinless Twins Support Group, International (TTSGI) exists to provide a safe and compassionate community for twinless twins to experience healing and understanding. We provide support for twins and other multiples who have lost their twin due to death or estrangement at any age.

FIRST CANDLE
First Candle is committed to the elimination of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths through education and research, while providing support for grieving families who have suffered a loss. No matter how deep your grief and how great your pain, remember that you are not alone. First Candle, along with others who have traveled this road before you, can help you through this difficult time. We can guide you through the grieving process and empower you to help other families facing the same tragedy.

AMERICAN SIDS INSTITUTE

Founded in 1983, the American SIDS Institute, a national nonprofit health care organization, is dedicated to the prevention of sudden infant death and the promotion of infant health through an aggressive, comprehensive nationwide program of: Research about both the cause of sudden infant death and methods of prevention; education about prevention methods for the public and medical community; and family support by providing answers to parents’ questions in a straightforward and sensitive manner.

CJ FOUNDATION
Recognized as one of the largest, leading SIDS organizations in the country, the CJ Foundation was founded in 1994 by Joel and Susan Hollander in memory of their daughter, Carly Jenna, who died from SIDS in 1993. Since its inception, the CJ Foundation has provided millions of dollars towards SIDS research projects, organizations, support programs and public education and awareness campaigns throughout the nation, making tremendous strides in its fight to eliminate SIDS.

SIDS ALLIANCE
First Candle supports for families experiencing the death of a baby or anyone seeking the latest, quality-assured information about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

SIDS Network
Reaches out to families who have lost a baby to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

TUCK SLEEP FOUNDATION
Tuck supports sleep health and hygiene. There is a section on women and sleep (and pregnancies).

NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP
The Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS) Foundation is a nonprofit organization that has provided thousands of families of babies who are stillborn with free professional portraits with their baby. *While the heart and mission of this foundation is that no family would go without remembrance images, some guidelines do apply, so please check the website or talk to your nurse.

MOLLY BEARS
An organization started by a bereaved mother that offers weighted teddy bears to bereaved parents.

WEIGHTED ANGELS
A non-profit organization operating in Hampton roads and Richmond, VA that provides free weighted stuffed animals to grieving families who have experienced pregnancy loss.


THE SMALLEST GIFT
Through the loss of our own infants we reach out to other families and provide a blanket and weighted heart. We also supply local hospitals with comfort gifts that can be given to families after a loss.

PORTRAITS BY DANA
Dana is an artist that captures the essence of our angels in her work. For a beautiful memorial portrait please check out her website.

MY FOREVER CHILD
These sympathy gift items are specially created for remembrance of a precious baby lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, pregnancy loss, newborn and infant death.

BUTTERFLY FOOTPRINTS
A site that makes butterfly prints from your baby's footprints for $10. They do offer generic footprints if you did not receive any of your child.   

OUR HOPE PLACE
Offering "bracelets of hope" to provide comfort following a miscarriage or pregnancy loss.

PERFECT MEMORIALS
Choose from a variety of products such as cremation urns, cremation jewelry, caskets and other sympathy gifts. Many of our products are uniquely crafted by skilled artisans, representing the uniqueness of our loved ones.

PREGNANCY & ADDICTION
Drugrehab.com is an online resource that provides information and answers to people fighting substance abuse and addiction.

Addiction & PPD/Depression
Drugrehab.com is an online resource that provides information and answers to people fighting substance abuse and addiction. Substance abuse can seriously complicate post-partum depression. We are working to bring awareness to the connection between many mental health issues and drug/alcohol abuse. Our website has extensive information on a multitude of issues such as substance abuse, addiction, and mental illness.

M.E.N.D. Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death
M.E.N.D. is a Christian, non-profit organization that reaches out to families who have suffered the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant death. We publish free bi-monthly newsletters, hold commemorative ceremonies, and host a variety of support groups throughout the nation.  M.E.N.D. is a place for families to connect, share their unique story of loss, and learn to live life without your precious baby. Together we are breaking down the barriers associated with the isolation and sadness of pregnancy and infant loss as we strive to turn our children's lives into legacies.

 
CALEB MINISTRIES
Pregnancy and Infant loss support, including infertility. Also provides post-abortion support. Supplies memory boxes to parents of stillborn babies.

FAMILIES FOR HoPE
Nonprofit organization offering support and education to families of infants and children diagnosed with holoprosencephaly (HPE).

GRIEVE OUT LOUD
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Q&As. If there is one thing for certain, there are millions upon millions of questions that emerge in our lives after pregnancy and infant loss. While some questions will unfortunately never be answered, we would like to offer some comfort in real life answers to some of your other questions.

HEAVEN'S GAIN
Provides small burial caskets for miscarried and early stillborn babies.

JOURNEY OF HEARTS
You are invited to join the journey of recovering from losses and significant life changes. Journey of Hearts was designed to be a Healing Place with resources and support to help those in the grief process following a loss or a significant life change.

LIFE'S LITTLE MIRACLES
L
ife’s Little Miracles' products include donated and purchased items such as diapers, care items, a baby hat, shirt, and onesie in size preemie or newborn. The products also include helpful information and resources related to the preemie journey in the NICU and beyond, coupons and samples from our corporate sponsors, as well as a descriptive Life’s Little Miracles, Corp. contact information card in the event that the families need additional support.

LOVE & LOSS PROJECT
The Love & Loss Project offers free monthly Retreats, healing programs & private sessions for women and couples across the globe.

MEMORY JAR
A unique and free resource devoted to helping you memorialize and remember your loved one. Sharing and collecting your memories is important in the healing process — both for you and others who have loved them. It is something tangible that you can hold on to; something to look at or go to when you want to remember.

MORNING LIGHT MINISTRY
A Catholic ministry for bereaved mothers and bereaved fathers who have experienced the death of their baby through ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death up to one year old. This Catholic ministry also welcomes bereaved parents of other Christian denominations, bereaved parents of other faiths and bereaved parents of no religious affiliation who are struggling with the very notion of faith.

A HEARTBREAKING CHOICE
Support for those parents who choose to interrupt their pregnancies due to genetic/chromosomal anomalies, or other lethal anomalies.

PRENATAL PARTNERS FOR LIFE
Prenatal Partners for Life is a group of concerned parents (most of whom have or had a special needs child), medical professionals, legal professionals and clergy whose aim is to support, inform and encourage expectant or new parents. We offer support by connecting parents facing an adverse diagnosis with other parents who have had the same diagnosis. We have many resources such as adoption agencies with clients waiting to adopt and love a special needs child should a parent feel they could not care for them. We believe each child is a special gift from God.

POTTER'S SYNDROME
Whether your a family whose baby has just been diagnosed with Potter's Syndrome (Renal Agenesis, Potter's Sequence) or a family member or friend, or even someone who already has lost a baby to Potter's Syndrome and is looking for answers, this website was made for you.

CORA'S STORY
Cora's story, her parents, family, friends, and even perfect strangers work to raise awareness of congenital heart defects (CHD).

TRISOMY 18 JOURNEY
Addresses the issue of getting an "incompatible with life" prenatal diagnosis, deciding to carry to term, making decisions about what palliative care means for an infant, and grieving the loss of an infant. It includes Trisomy 18, grief, and carrying-to-term resources.

PROJECT SWEET PEAS
A non-profit organization run by volunteers across the country, who through personal experience have become passionate about providing comfort to families with children in the intensive care units and to those who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss.






  • Home
  • About
  • Specialties
    • Perinatal Loss
    • Pregnancy After Loss
    • Fetal Diagnoses
    • Infertility
    • Family deaths & others
  • FAQ
  • Consulting
  • Share Your Story
  • Local Events
  • MEDIA