Pregnancy or Infant loss is a topic that can be difficult to talk about with the people we are close to. It is not uncommon for grieving parents to feel unheard or to not have their feelings and experiences validated. Professional support for perinatal loss may help.

Private virtual coaching can be a great resource for many people carrying the burden of perinatal loss. Coaching is not therapy, nor does it replace clinical care for those who need it. It is simply an opportunity to confidentially talk with someone who will listen without fear of judgment or worry about how you will be perceived or how your feelings may impact those you care about.

There are many reasons people seek out bereavement support via virtual coaching. Here are the top few.

1. Anticipated Loss

If a parent knows that their baby is not expected to survive, or their life is likely to be brief, coaching can help them know what to expect, explore their options, and take control of their experience. Professional support for perinatal loss can prepare you for what to expect at delivery, offer resources for preparation, and help you create a birth plan that maximizes your goals for the brief time you may have to meet and say goodbye to your baby.

2. Baby with a devastating diagnosis

Whether the diagnosis comes before birth or after, it can be difficult to process the change in your plans and expectations. Professional support for perinatal loss is not just for families whose babies don’t survive, but also for anyone grieving what was expected but never came to be. Discussing uncomfortable feelings or decisions with someone who understands, can help reframe your perspective.

3. In need of resources for coping with grief.

Professional support for perinatal loss provides information on local and online resources for grieving parents. Whether you are looking for the perfect piece of memorial jewelry or creative ways to process your feelings, they can connect you with the best resources to meet your needs.

4. Discomfort with group support settings.

Many people do not feel comfortable in a group support setting, especially when grief is very fresh. Not only can private professional support for perinatal loss offer an opportunity to talk at your level of comfort, but it can also be more intimate and comforting when difficult emotions surface. It can also be a great first step to getting comfortable talking about your grief for those who hope to seek out group support eventually.

5. Long-term unprocessed perinatal loss

There are so many people walking around carrying the weight of unvalidated feelings about their pregnancy or infant loss. The further away from the loss you get, the less support and validation are offered. It’s never too late to talk about your loss experience with someone who understands and can help you find opportunities to finally mourn your loss.

6. Fear of upsetting or not being understood by those close to you.

Anyone who has been through it knows exactly how people react to the topic of perinatal loss. Often people don’t fully understand or appreciate the grief experience. They may be uncomfortable talking about it, expect you to “get over it”, or express surprise that it is affecting you so deeply. They may think another pregnancy will “fix” your grief. A coach offering professional support for perinatal loss knows better. They are not uncomfortable talking about your baby, your experience, or your feelings. They understand the long-term impact of perinatal loss and can provide a safe space for learning and discussion.

If professional support for perinatal loss sounds like something you could benefit from, visit my website for more information.