Guidance and support for grieving families

No words can begin to ease the pain of losing a baby, whether in infancy or before birth. Many parents find themselves coping with feelings of sadness as well as anger, frustration and confusion. In some families there may be other children who, depending on their age, may or may not understand what is happening within the family. During this difficult time, we want you to know we are here for you and everyone close to you. Our perinatal bereavement staff can provide you with options, resources, support and anticipatory guidance to help you make important decisions and also be able to grieve in a way that is in line with your individual cultural and spiritual beliefs.

Many of our staff members are trained in Resolve Through Sharing (RTS, the gold standard in bereavement education), and have special skills, education and sensitivity in working with people who have experienced perinatal loss.

Perinatal bereavement services at Main Line Health are free of charge for all families who have had a loss within our health system as well as for grieving families in the wider community.

To further honor grieving moms and families, we hold a Perinatal Loss Service of Remembrance every October. The event is open to anyone who has experienced perinatal loss, regardless of how long ago or where your loss occurred.

Perinatal bereavement resources

Local support organizations

  • Butterfly Baskets—Provides comfort, creates connection and offers community for those impacted by pregnancy challenges, miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss.
  • The Adalyn Rose Foundation—Provides comprehensive support for families grieving the loss of their babies through miscarriage, stillbirth or during infancy.
  • Three Little Birds—Provides immediate and long-term advocacy and support of families experiencing the loss of a pregnancy or baby.

Support the Perinatal Bereavement Program

Your charitable donation helps provide resources for grief counseling; materials and services for patients and families including memory boxes, linking hearts, and educational materials for mothers, fathers, siblings, and other family members; training for additional staff in perinatal loss; and special funds for underserved families undergoing perinatal loss.

Make a donation to the perinatal bereavement program

For more information about perinatal bereavement services at Main Line Health, please contact us at 484.565.8131 or email perinatalloss@mlhs.org.