Grieving Families

OUR GOAL

Our goal is for any pregnant women that we encounter in the community or through the Healthy Start program or MomCare program has a healthy pregnancy and birth. Unfortunately, not every pregnancy results in a healthy baby. Some babies are lost while still in the womb, which we call fetal death. Others are lost before their first birthday, which we call infant loss. Regardless of the name, we understand that losing a baby is difficult for all families.

We aim to reach out to every family in Leon and Wakulla County that experiences a fetal or infant death to offer our condolences and to provide an opportunity for them to share their story. During the interview, the family is able to remember their lost baby and discuss the pregnancy, birth, parenting experience and their grief. This helps us get a better understanding of the factors associated with fetal and infant deaths. The information gathered during this interview is incorporated into the work of the fetal and infant mortality review (FIMR) team, which meets to develop and implement recommendations for change. The mother’s input has proven to be crucial for changing the community for the better.

If you have experienced a loss between July 1, 2017 to the present, and you want to share your story, please call (850) 488-0288, ext. 104 or email Faye@CapitalAreaHealthyStart.org.

LOCAL GRIEF COUNSELING

Losing a baby is a traumatic experience and will usually involve a grieving process. How long that process lasts for each mom and family varies, but it is important to know that there are places you can go and people you can speak with to help you through the process. Below are a few resources available in the community:

Big Bend Hospice
850-878-5310
www.bigbendhospice.org

Lee’s Place
850-841-7733
www.leesplace.org

Lola Brognano LCSW, PMH-C
(850) 888-0136
View profile on psidirectory.com

WALK TO REMEMBER

Another way families that have had a loss can receive support is through the Coalition’s “Walk to Remember”. This event is held each year in October to observe National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. The Walk is dedicated to our local grieving families and to their departed children (no matter how long ago or recently the loss occurred). All families and their friends in the community are welcome to participate at no cost.

The event is always held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church located at 1700 North Meridian Road.

“Walk to Remember gives parents the opportunity to honor the babies they have lost,” says Kristy Goldwire, former Executive Director of Capital Area Healthy Start Coalition. “At this event, families come together to share their stories and help one another cope with the pain of losing a baby.”

FIMR PROJECT

FIMR is a community-based effort aimed at addressing factors and issues that affect infant mortality and health disparities. The objectives of FIMR are to examine the significant social, economic, cultural, environmental, and health systems factors associated with fetal and infant mortality through review of individual death records.