Each year, thousands of families leave the hospital without their child — with empty arms, broken hearts and a love for their deceased child that will always remain.
An All-Too Common Occurrence
For women that know they're pregnant, an estimated 10% to 25% end in miscarriage, with most occurring during the first trimester.
Each year, about 24,000 babies are stillborn in the United States. This equates to roughly 1 in every 100 pregnancies beyond 20 weeks.
The impacts of perinatal loss can be devastating, ranging from grief, anxiety, depression and even symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder.
"We bereaved are not alone. We belong to the largest company in all the world - the company of those that have known suffering."
- Hellen Keller
An Oasis of Compassion
Dealing with the profound sadness of a perinatal loss can be especially difficult when surrounded by the joyful excitement, sounds and activity of Edward's Family Birthing Center.
In partnership with community donors, physicians and families, many of whom have shared in the difficult experience of a miscarriage or stillbirth, Edward Foundation seeks to provide a quiet, comfortable and respectful oasis for parents and family members to process their grief.
Moved by Grief - Committed to Healing
Navigating perinatal loss is overwhelming. Families are afforded little time to grieve. Loved ones have just one opportunity to spend time with their infant - and this experience is precious. The proposed Bereavement Room at Edward will serve to provide privacy, and the warmth of a home-like environment. The goal is to facilitate a peaceful experience and make the limited time available as meaningful and comfortable as possible.
Conveniently located near the South Lobby entrance, the Bereavement Room will be accessible to additional family members that grieving parents may wish to involve. Teleconference equipment will allow others unable to attend in person to participate in these precious moments should the parents wish.
Furniture and room décor are designed to mirror a home environment, with comfortable seating and warm lighting. To facilitate meaningful memories for parents and family members, the room will include a bassinette and a washtub.
A private bathroom, sink, mini-fridge and snacks will help to ensure visitors are comfortable if awaiting others in the space.
Help Us SHARE Hope & Healing
You can assist in Edward's efforts to help parents dealing with perinatal loss. To help us realize the vision of bringing a dedicated Perinatal Bereavement Room to Edward Hospital, Edward Foundation seeks to raise $300,000 in philanthropic support.
Your gift may take many possible forms including a one-time donation, a multi-year pledge, a transfer of stock, or other options we'd be pleased to discuss with you. To make a gift or for contact information to discuss alternative giving options with a Foundation representative, click on the DONATE button below. If making a credit card gift online, please direct your gift to "SHARE Program" in the Designation box on the online giving form.
"We can't heal the world today but we can begin with a voice of compassion, a heart of love, an act of kindness."
- Mary Davis
Edward Hospital's SHARE Program
Edward Hospital offers perinatal bereavement counseling and support facilitated by a dedicated, multidisciplinary staff of nurses, social workers and chaplains.
Families can also receive support through the SHARE Program, a local and national organization that serves and supports those who are touched by the loss of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant death.
SHARE Program events hosted by Edward include:
- Annual Walk to Remember
- Annual Service of Remembrance
- Annual Angel Garden Luminary Ceremony
- Annual Angel Garden Blessing & Butterfly Release
A portion of the proceeds raised during these events will help to fund the new Bereavement Room at Edward Hospital.
