These resources are offered in conjunction with the article, "A Hidden Sorrow: Praying through Reproductive Loss. Christopher Pramuk teaches theology at Xavier University in Cincinatti, Ohio and is the author of Sophia: The Hidden Christ of Thomas Merton (Liturgical Press, 2009).
Books
A Silent Sorrow: Pregnancy Loss: Guidance and Support for You and Your Family, Ingrid Kohn, MSW and Perry-Lynn Moffitt with Isabelle A. Wilkins, MD. My sister notes of this book that "after Jack died, I could not have done without it."
Hope Deferred: Heart-Healing Reflections on Reproductive Loss, ed. Nadine Pence France and Mary Stimming. A collection of essays weaving together personal narratives, spirituality and theological reflection. This book includes the article by Serene Jones mentioned in my article.
Waiting with Gabriel: A Story of Cherishing a Baby's Brief Life (Loyola Press), by Amy Kuebelbeck
A Gift of Time: Continuing Your Pregnancy When Your Baby’s Life Is Expected to Be Brief (Johns Hopkins University Press), Amy Kuebelbeck and Deborah L. Davis
Support Groups
Compassionate Friends: for parents who have lost a child at any age. In Louisville there is a group called "Consoling Parents" which is specifically for prenatal and infant loss. They have a Web site at www.consolingparents.com.
Web Sites
Sands Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity
Trisomy 18 Foundation
Here's the link:
http://www.nationalshare.org/
While this is a significant and timely pastoral concern for many today, there are other couples who struggle with a similar, though, unique issue regarding the loss of a child.
Are there comparable resources for couples who are infertile? The emotional stake of a married couple who hopes and faithfully abides by all the Church's teaching regarding natural family planning in hopes of having a family, yet remain childless, is tantamount to the loss of a child. As described in the article, the anguish and sorrow in that loss is also felt by the couple who remains childless, though not by choice.