Pregnancy and Infant Loss

The loss of a pregnancy or death of an infant is one of the most difficult losses to deal with. It is not always possible to find out what has caused the death of your baby or why your pregnancy has ended. You may have lost your baby through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, or your baby may have died shortly after birth. Or, you might have experienced a blighted ovum in which an embryo hasn't developed or a chemical pregnancy loss which occurs within the first five weeks of pregnancy.

Everyone copes with the trauma of losing a pregnancy and/or baby in different ways. You may feel that you want to get back to normal life as quickly as possible or, this loss can be devastating. These feelings, along with feelings of grief, guilt and despair are common, and knowing where to turn for help if needed, is important. Please visit the websites below for suggestions for what to do as you and your family take your first steps on the bereavement journey. You may also want to learn about stopping your milk supply. 

Bereavement Support Organizations

• Sunnybrook - Pregnancy & Infant Loss Network

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• Supports for families (Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Network)
  Also available in Filipino, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Punjabi, and Arabic
  

Resources for Coping with the Loss of a Baby

• HealthyFamiliesBC - Coping with losing a baby

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• Baby Center - Honoring a baby who dies in pregnancy or infancy

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• List of Pregnancy Loss Resources for Families and Healthcare workers

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• Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Centre

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• Support after miscarriage

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• How to get a commemorative document of stillbirth (ServiceOntario)