Pregnancy after loss
Navigating pregnancy after loss as a dad can be daunting and overwhelming. Having limited resources available can make it difficult to determine how to feel or how to behave. To make your pregnancy after loss journey smoother compiled below is a list of resources specifically designed to help you navigate this hard time.
First, do not be afraid to ask for help. It is ok to seek support during this time, be it from your partner, family or friends or prefessionals. And, don’t be afraid to find comfort and strength in stories and podcasts from others who have had similar experiences and have been or are willing to share. It is ok to take the time to process your emotions and find the guidance and support you need. Pregnancy after loss as a dad can be a difficult road, but remember that you are not alone. With the proper resources and support, it is hoped that you can make your pregnancy journey a positive and rewarding one- or simply find a way to survive.
Remember that it's ok if you're not feeling ok and need some more support. Please speak to your healthcare team if you're feeling like this as they will be able to support you. It is imperative to advocate for yourself as no one knows your needs like you do.
Expert Guidance on PAL
Tommys- Trying to get pregnant again after a loss - for dads and partners
Bears of Hope- A Subsequent Pregnancy
The Pink Elephants Support Network- Pregnancy After Loss
Stillbirth Foundation Australia- Pregnancy After Loss
Expert Support
The Gidget Foundation- Supporting the emotional wellbeing of expectant and new parents.
Red Nose- Pregnancy After Loss (PAL) Online Support Group
Sad Dads Club- Weekly Zooms, with access to PAL specific groups on attendance to the Zoom sessions. (0830 PM ET (US) Time or in Australia Generally Friday AM) keep updated on their socials.
or
Find your Local Charity or Organisation in Australia to help guide you.
re-birth- Birth and Baby Classes with a difference
If you’ve experienced loss or trauma on your journey of building your family, you’ll want to go above and beyond in preparing for subsequent experiences.
Re:birth goes beyond the standard birth class – it’s co-facilitated by Helen (a registered midwife) and Lisa (a reproductive/perinatal psychologist) for multidisciplinary expertise and guidance on having another baby in the context of our unique challenges.
Re:birth acknowledges these challenges, provides comprehensive education about having a baby in these circumstances, and incorporates psychological strategies and skills for navigating the journey.
Designed for you and your partner or support person to attend in a single ticket purchase. Re:Birth pregnancy and birth after loss preparation can all be booked through Trybooking, by searching re:birth. Alternatively if you have questions you can reach out to Helen or Lisa thought their Instagram accounts highlighted above.
Re:birth goes beyond the standard birth class – it’s co-facilitated by Helen (a registered midwife) and Lisa (a reproductive/perinatal psychologist) for multidisciplinary expertise and guidance on having another baby in the context of our unique challenges.
Re:birth acknowledges these challenges, provides comprehensive education about having a baby in these circumstances, and incorporates psychological strategies and skills for navigating the journey.
Designed for you and your partner or support person to attend in a single ticket purchase. Re:Birth pregnancy and birth after loss preparation can all be booked through Trybooking, by searching re:birth. Alternatively if you have questions you can reach out to Helen or Lisa thought their Instagram accounts highlighted above.
Unspoken Journey Blog Posts related to PAL
If you are to visit the Unspoken Journeys Blog on this website you will see there are a couple of blogs that are either related to pregnancy after loss or make mention to pregnancy after loss- told through a dads eyes. You can also find them by following the links below. Reading others stories and hearing about how others navigate this hard time may give you ideas about how you can best navigate it yourself with your partner.
Pregnancy After Loss- Through Dads Eyes
Pregnancy after loss is a beast. Hard is an understatement. That’s for mums carrying the baby and their partners. Click Here to read the full blog.
Rocket
A story of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency, an Egg Donor, TFMR & Navigating Pregnancy After Loss. Click Here to read the full blog
Podcasts- PAL Specific for dads
For those dads navigating pregnancy after loss, listening to what your peers have experienced may provide you needed support. Here are some powerful podcasts that offer guidance and understanding. Find resources, community, and solace as you journey through a subsequent pregnancy after loss. These podcasts offer reflections, stories, and advice to help you move forward. Check them out today and they may give you the ideas and stratagies you need to help yourself and help your partner through this tough time.
The Still Parents Podcast have discussed pregnancy after loss with a number of dads- you will find these conversations in the below episodes:
Episode 50 & 51: Roy Prestwich Episode 69: Aaron SnipeEpisode 73: James GreenEpisode 74: David Slann
To listen click here or you can find on your usual streaming platform
Kelly and Chris- of The Miscarriag Dad Podcast brave the tender subject of trying for another child post-loss in their latest heart-to-heart series. They have 3 episodes related to Pregnancy after Miscarriage that you can find below.
E11: Trying Again After Miscarriage (part 1)
E12: Deciding to Try for Another Child in the Aftermath of Miscarriage (part 2)
E13: Weathering Anxiety and Anticipation in Post-Loss Pregnancy (part 3)
To listen in click here or you can find on your usual streaming platform
The Hosts of Guys and Grief Podcast- Brad, Brandon & Brian discuss Having Kids After Loss, & Guest Scott Beasley Tells His Story. Click Here to find link to Podcast Episode.
Founder of the Birthing Dads Podcast Steven talks with Matt McConnell about the death of his 2nd Daughter Wren and then how he navigated a subsequent pregnancy as best as possible. To listen click here
Dad Still Standing, Season 3- Episode 1, the dads Matt and Liam discuss how to approach the subject of trying again with your partner; how to actually try again (don't worry no tips); the emotions and anxieties of being pregnant; and the pain of additional losses. Click Here for link to episode.
Some helpful tips from the mums
We asked mums what good things their partners did for them that helped them through both pregnancy and pregnancy after loss, below were the replies.
''Listen, Listen, Listen. My partner did an amazing job listening to me when I was allowing myself to get excited even when he couldn't allow himself too.''
''Being physically at all the scans and appointments, but trying to be mentally and emotionally there for each other as well.''
''Being able to prioritise antenatal and postnatal appointments over work commitments''
''Have a rest, I've got you''- giving me a rest making my pregnancy feel seen, heard and validated''
''Giving practical support and helping with the simplest of tasks like cleaning, cooking or groceries''
''He has given me lots of reassurance''
''Letting me vent and complain about any symptom, worry or concern and always says that I can complain as much as I like''
''Committing to coming to all scans and appointments for support''
''Talking daily about how we feel, without judgement, just holding space for each of us to express''
''Being each others biggest supporters''
''We continue to invest and develop our own little family rituals... weekly check ins, and an extended Saturday morning walk together with our doggo and coffee''
''Advocating for me, each time I didn't want to be a burden on nursing staff or over react to a situation or symptom''
''Reassuring and advocating for my concerns''
''Always acknowledging me as a mother, complimenting the way I love our baby''
''My husband came with me to the OB and psychologist to help write the birth plan/ wishes. We talked through every aspect and what triggered us both so that we knew on the day we would be safe''
''We made a playlist together, songs we loved and felt calm listening to. We listened to it a lot together at night and talked about the new baby that would be joining us''
If you are looking for support from other dads who may know what you are going through please reach out to join the Love From Dad WhatsApp Group- we would love to have you. Click here for details and to join.
The stories, podcast and tips from mums within this page are for general purposes only and should not be a substitute for professional help. Please ensure that if you are struggling you do touch base with your local health care providers to look at implementing a care plan to suit your specific needs and that of your family.