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Maintain a balanced diet and stay away from alcohol, caffeine and tobacco.
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Schedule a follow-up appointment with your physician as indicated.
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Do something active every day, like walking or biking. Be sure to get enough
rest.
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Talk about the baby with family and friends – they may not bring the subject
up out of fear of upsetting you.
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Write in a journal or write letters or poems to your baby as an outlet for
emotions.
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Try not to make big decisions or changes while grieving.
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A woman’s body needs time to get back to normal after pregnancy. Depending
on how far along the pregnancy was, there may be bleeding afterwards and
breast milk may come in. Wearing a tight bra or sports bra 24 hours a day,
avoiding direct contact to the breasts with warm water when bathing,
avoiding expressing the milk and using nursing pads will prevent leakage.
Contact your physician with any questions.
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Don't be afraid to ask for help. Let family and friends know specific things
they can do, like grocery shopping, doing laundry, bringing meals by your
house or just listening. Attend a support group of other couples who have
lost a child. Ask for support and help from clergy.
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Consider seeking counseling through the hospital's bereavement counselor or
chaplain or a therapist who specializes in grief and loss.
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Skip baby showers. People will understand. If you feel you must give a gift,
purchase a gift card.
Recommended Reading
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“Empty Cradle,
Broken Heart: Surviving the Death of Your Baby,” by Deborah L. Davis.
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“Miscarriage: A Shattered Dream,” by Sherokee Ilse and Linda Hammer Burns.
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“Empty Arms: Coping After Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant Death," by
Sherokee Ilse.
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"Grieving the Child I Never Knew,” by Kathe Wunnenberg.
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If and when you are both physically and emotionally ready to try to get
pregnant again, “Pregnancy After a Loss: A Guide to Pregnancy After a
Miscarriage, Stillbirth or Infant Death,” by Carol Cirulli Lanham and
“Motherhood After Miscarriage,” by Kathleen Diamond are useful resources.