Please or to access all these features

Miscarriage/pregnancy loss

Find support and share your experiences on our Miscarriage forum. See also legal rights and support after baby loss.

friend lost her little girl at 30 weeks, what can i do

18 replies

lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs · 23/03/2011 20:19

a friend has lost her baby at 30 weeks, she knew the little girl would die before or shortly after birth. She has a Csection and still in hospital but due home tomorrow.
Shes not a close friend but someone I see twice a week, and I would like to send her something.
I dont want to send flowers, they die in the end too :(
I have a card but would liek to get her something else, and sadly think you ladies might know what to get.
TIA

OP posts:
ChristinedePizan · 23/03/2011 20:25

Someone sent me a lovely scented candle which was really lovely. But really, it was the cards meant the most. I can't bring myself to reread them now but the people who took time to write them, especially those who wrote a bit more than 'I'm so sorry' are forever in my hearts as very, very special people.

And remember the date next year - your friend will really appreciate that.

lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs · 23/03/2011 20:27

a candle sounds like a beutiful idea thank you.
I will remember it next year, I just dont know how she is coping and want to see her but feel like I should wait, we arent very close, but will pop card and candle in tomorrow
x

OP posts:
KATC2010 · 23/03/2011 20:31

Have you thought about a memory/keepsake box where a little lock of hair/foot and handprint etc could be kept? Or depending upon her tastes and the amount you want to spend maybe look up Smallprint - they do miniatures of hand/foot prints/pictures etc on pieces of silver jewellery.

So sad for her, and for Christine too :(

All the best xxx

lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs · 23/03/2011 20:37

I dont know if she got footprints, lock of hair ect so wouldnt want to assume she would use a box, but was something i had thought of.

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 23/03/2011 20:40

how awful :(

Jomel · 23/03/2011 20:45

My friend bought me a forget-me-not necklace, there are lots of sites for baby loss, where you can buy some lovely necklaces or bracelets etc....they last forever too. You are right about the flowers, i was sent loads after my first miscarriage, and was so sad when they died. I lost my 2nd baby at 19 weeks and delivered him in hospital on the 20th January 2011. You are a very good friend for looking for advice on how to deal with her loss.

From my perspective it is important to acknowledge her baby as a baby, does she have a name yet? Always refer to her baby as she does, whether this is "baby" or "baby's name". Never tell her she is lucky to already have children, or depending on her circumstances lucky for anything (she will be feeling very, very unlucky right now). Tell her she needs to grieve and perhaps help her to make the decisions that will be very hard for her to make....post mortem, does she want a service etc etc...I made many mistakes in my decision making, because I was so numb more than anything. She will regret not making the right decisions, so she must consider them carefully. Tell her it's ok to laugh sometimes in the months to come, it doesn't mean she loves the baby any less. When she's feeling really down, music can often help, whether sad to make her cry, or happy to lift her spirits. There is so much more, but all I can say is, I have not gotten over the loss of our little boy at the end of January, and I probably never will, and although I can function as a human being again..inside I am so, so sad. Just keep being there for her, and don't avoid talking about the baby and her loss, even months afterwards.

You are a good friend, good luck.

lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs · 23/03/2011 21:10

I do know babies name, was one of the first things I asked. I love the idea of a necklace, will look into those too.
She has a son already but would never suggest to her that that would make her loss any better than anyone elses.
I know she said goodbye last night, but not sure when the service will be.
I have had 2 early miscarriages but know her situation is not like mine, so want to be careful and get it right iyswim, I dont want to disstress her anymore than she already has.
She going to stay with her mum so I know she'll be looked after, but want her to know we are thinking of her.

OP posts:
lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs · 23/03/2011 21:26

would this be suitable? here

OP posts:
ChristinedePizan · 24/03/2011 09:08

I think that's lovely lisa.

Jomel · 24/03/2011 09:27

Sorry for saying not to suggest she is lucky, I can see you are very caring and wouldn't suggest that...I was just going over what people said to me, that upset me...my Mum of all people said to me that I'm lucky to have the two children I have, and that my poor sister (who is currently pregnant), is finding this whole situation hard...and not to forget that she doesn't have her two children yet! I was so angry when she said that to me, I threw the phone across the room!

Btw, that necklace is just perfect!

I'm sorry for your losses too, early miscarriages can be just as painful as late ones. :-(

louisesh · 24/03/2011 18:13

The best present you can give her is your support and friendship.My dd was stillborn at 41 weeks in October 2010 and i ve lost 2 friendships as they didn t contact me and avoided me.Good luck XXX

Jomel · 24/03/2011 19:18

louisesh :-(

I'm sorry you have not only gone through what you have gone through, but also lost two friends in the process. {{{{{{hugs}}}}}}

A good friend would do exactly what Lisa is doing for her friend..asking for advice on how to help.

Are you having counselling? Do you have good support?

louisesh · 24/03/2011 21:45

Jomel i had wonderful counselling via work and i have an incredbily supportive system of dh,family and friends.These are what got me through as i see it i gained a lot more than loosing 2 friends i had my dd, not the way i wanted but.....My dd raised over £1500 for the delivery suite staff, she inspired me to write a chapter in a book about Georgie.
Thanks for asking and unfortunatley the old cliche "time is a healer" is very true.The pain doesn t subside you just learn to deal with it.I think i ve become hardened to a certain extent as pre Georgie i had 2 MCs however NOTHING in my life from now on will ever come close to the pain of loosing Georgie.

louisesh · 24/03/2011 21:47

Sorry for your lossXXXX

lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs · 25/03/2011 08:10

I'm so sorry for all your losses :(
I would gladly give her my time but she's a very private person and we don't know her that well but wanted her to know we were thinking if her. Well drop necklace and candle off later today as she's home now.

OP posts:
Jomel · 25/03/2011 10:28

I was the same Lisa, I didn't want to see anyone for the first two weeks..my dp kept people at bay for me, and slowly but surely I let one or two people come to see me, until I felt confident again. Perhaps text your friend and ask if she's up for a visit, if not you could leave present on doorstep, then text her to let her know it's there (one of my friends did that for me, and I really appreciated it).

Good luck, you are a very valuable friend for her right now. xxx

Jomel · 25/03/2011 10:39

Louisesh, I'm glad you had lots of support to help you get through...Georgie is a lovely name (my dd is called Georgie), we named our son Robert (after my Uncle), it's not a name we would have chosen, but seemed fit under the circumstances. Your dd is fantastic to have raised so much money :-)

louisesh · 25/03/2011 17:44

Thanks Jomel Yes good name SmileX

New posts on this thread. Refresh page