Support After Pregnancy or Infant Loss
Pregnancy and infant loss can be some of the most earth-shattering experiences a family can go through. We expect to get pregnant, birth a healthy baby, and spend the rest of our lives loving and raising that child to be the person they’re meant to become. A loss of this nature can shatter our belief in ourselves, our dreams, and can test our faith. It can isolate us from the people that we love, who may not be showing up for us in the ways that we need most. While I’m not a believer that time heals all wounds, it is possible to come to a place where you can live more comfortably with your grief, where you feel less overwhelmed when those feelings visit you, and where you can find joy in life again even though your heart always longs for the child you lost. One of the things that makes this process a little bit easier – though it is never easy – is having the right support. Support looks different ways for different people, but often includes meaningful social connections. Having people around you who can hold space for all your feelings and help you to not feel alone as you process your experience and find your own meaning from what has happened is important. And I get that it can be hard to find those people. That’s why today’s blog post is all about resources that you can access as a parent trying to survive life after pregnancy or infant loss. Some of the resources here can be accessed from anywhere in Canada, though some will be location specific. My hope is always that you find something that helps you to feel seen and supported as you navigate one of the hardest things life can throw at you. Let’s begin.
Virtual Resources
This is only a small list of available resources for families in Canada. It is impossible to keep a complete list of available services, so if you don’t see something here that speaks to you, please don’t be discouraged. With online resources, there is always the potential that things change. The sources listed below are up to date as of October 2024 and I will do my best to check back periodically to ensure these links are still accessible. If you notice a link here is no longer valid, please feel free to shoot me an email at beltanebirth@gmail.com or use the contact form on this website so that I can update this page right away.
Baby’s Breath Canada
Baby’s Breath Canada is a national foundation focusing on SIDS and reducing unexpected infant deaths, including stillbirths. The organization is involved in research, advocacy, and providing resources for grieving families. Their website provides information for people looking to learn more about these losses, has a support and resources page with links to download a free grief journal or request a bereavement package, and also provides a space for people to share their stories.
https://www.babysbreathcanada.ca/
Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Network
PAIL Network provides support to families navigating the loss of a pregnancy or death of a baby. Their free group and individual peer support programs are available only to families living in Ontario, but they also host a valuable resource library, where they provide digital booklets for families on losses of many kinds that are published in several different languages.
https://pailnetwork.sunnybrook.ca/resource-library/
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Centre
Located in Calgary, Alberta, the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Centre offers in-person and virtual support for families across Canada. The Centre hosts weekly and monthly support groups, opportunities to connect socially with other families who have experienced loss, and specialty workshops and events. They also have a voice and text ‘warm line’ that families can contact during set hours to reach someone in moments where they might need a little extra support from a knowledgeable peer.
The Compassionate Friends of Canada
The Compassionate Friends of Canada is a non-profit and peer support organization for families grieving the death of a child at any age or from any cause. They have local chapters across Canada that help to connect families with others in their community also navigating loss. They also host a resources page with access to informative pamphlets and videos.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Doulas
Beltane Birth Doula Services
As a full-spectrum doula who supports families from the preconception period and throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, I am also passionate about supporting families who are currently experiencing loss and recovering from a loss. My supports for families include:
· Ongoing fertility support for families on fertility journeys (Virtual and In-Person in Calgary). For more information: https://www.beltanebirth.ca/fertility-support
· Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support (Virtual and In-Person in Calgary). For more information: https://www.beltanebirth.ca/pregnancy-and-infant-loss
· Comprehensive birth doula packages for families in Calgary, Alberta, beginning January 2025 for births of any outcome, including support for pregnancy after loss and anticipated losses. For more information: https://www.beltanebirth.ca/birth-doula-support
Other Doulas offering Infant and Pregnancy Loss Support include:
Emily Beauchamp, Growing Together Doula Services - https://growingtogetherdoulaservices.com/pregnancy-infant-loss
Sarah Alicia Elder, ElderFlower Doula - https://elderflowerdoula.ca/doula-services-2/bereavement-doula/
Jessica Palmquist, Turquoise Compass Wellness - https://www.turquoisecompass.com/
Magnolia, Nolia Grace Doula Care – www.noliagracedoulacare.com
Joefin Peter, Our Kutty Community – www.10oclockjoefi.com
Kat T., Embracing the Journey – www.embracingthejourney.ca
Professional Counsellors and Programs
Alberta
Alberta Health Services, Pregnancy & Infant Loss – Grief Support (Calgary Zone)
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/fmc/Page16422.aspx
Caring Beyond Support Society – Offers peer support to families experiencing the loss of a baby at any stage of pregnancy or in the neonatal period in Calgary. Meetings are held monthly throughout the year, except in December when an annual Candle Lighting Ceremony is held instead.
Jessica Findlay, Findlay Grief Therapy - https://www.findlaygrieftherapy.ca/
Ashley Bishop Lapierre, Hopeful Horizons (virtual counselling) - https://hopefulhorizons.ca/womens_mental_health/perinatal-mental-health/pregnancy-loss/
British Columbia
Adrienne Moya, Camas Mental Health - camasmentalhealth.ca
Alexandra Stewart, Illuminate Counselling - https://illuminate-online.com/
Beverley Anderson, Mariposa Psychotherapy Services - https://www.mariposapsychotherapyservices.ca/
Kate McKay, Coastal Calm Therapy - https://www.coastalcalm.ca/
Pacific Perinatal Foundation - https://pacificperinatalfoundation.com/get-support/counselling/
Manitoba
Dragonfly Support Program, Women’s Health Clinic (Winnipeg) - https://womenshealthclinic.org/services/dragonfly-support-program
Sarah Picken, Sacred Healing - https://sacredhealing.org/
Brooke Robinson, The Robin’s Nest - https://therobinsnest.ca/
Breanne Jones, Cedar Mountain Counselling - https://www.cedarmountaincounselling.com/
New Brunswick
Ashley Bishop Lapierre, Hopeful Horizons (virtual counselling) - https://hopefulhorizons.ca/womens_mental_health/perinatal-mental-health/pregnancy-loss/
Pregnancy Loss Program, The Pregnancy Resource Center of Saint John - https://prcsj.ca/miscarriage-infant-loss-support/
Nicole, Oak and Cedar Counselling Services (Virtual) - https://www.oakandcedarcounselling.com/
Madeleine Stobbe, Stobbe Psychological Services (Virtual) - https://www.mstobbepsychology.com/
Newfoundland and Labrador
Bright Path Counselling - https://www.brightpathcounselling.com/therapist-st-johns-nl/grief-counselling/
Northwest Territories
Jody Cook, Jody Cook Counselling (Virtual) - https://jodycookcounselling.com/
Nova Scotia
Ashley Bishop Lapierre, Hopeful Horizons (Virtual) - https://hopefulhorizons.ca/womens_mental_health/perinatal-mental-health/pregnancy-loss/
Nicole, Oak and Cedar Counselling Services (Virtual) - https://www.oakandcedarcounselling.com/
Allison Wood, Nest Therapy – https://www.nesttherapy.ca
Amanda Dupupet, The Centre for Perinatal Counselling - https://perinatalcounselling.org/
Dr. Stephanie Snow, Hatch Psychology Inc. - https://hatchpsychologyinc.com/
Ontario
Jessica Findlay, Findlay Grief Therapy (Virtual) - https://www.findlaygrieftherapy.ca/
Beverley Anderson, Mariposa Psychotherapy Services (Virtual Only) - https://www.mariposapsychotherapyservices.ca/
Nicole, Oak and Cedar Counselling Services (Virtual) - https://www.oakandcedarcounselling.com/
Shannon Golletz, Life after Miscarriage & Pregnancy Loss - https://www.lifeaftermiscarriage.ca/
Bina Moore, Embrace Counselling Services - https://www.embracecounsellingservices.com/
Janice Gorodzinsky, JGrief Counselling - https://www.jgriefcounselling.com/counselling-services-and-fees
Rebecca Johnston, Firefly Counselling - https://fireflycounselling.com/miscarriage-pregnancy-loss/
Prince Edward Island
Nicole, Oak and Cedar Counselling Services - https://www.oakandcedarcounselling.com/
Short-term Pregnancy Loss Counselling, Sexual Health, Options & Reproductive Services (SHORS) - https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/pregnancy-loss
Nichole Henderson, Yellow Chair Therapy - https://yellowchairtherapy.ca/
Quebec
Alex Fisher, Elevate Psychotherapy - https://elevateclinic.ca/
Christiane Lafleche, Empowered Counselling - https://www.empoweredcounselling.ca/
Marie Jélénia Cyrise, Centre Professionnel Alter-Natives Inc - https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/marie-jelenia-cyrise-westmount-qc/1189586
Rosa Caporicci, NDG Therapy - https://www.ndgtherapy.com/
Arielle Segal, Perinatal Wellness Collective - https://perinatalcollective.com/therapists/arielle-segal/
Saskatchewan
Anna-Marie Kowalsky, Anna-Marie Therapy - https://annamarietherapy.janeapp.com/#/staff_member/1/bio
Kim Semenuik, Climb Counselling & Consulting - https://climbcounsellingregina.janeapp.com/?#staff_member/1
Kristin Reinhart, Breland Counselling & Support - https://brelandcounselling.ca/
Melissa Hoiness, Evolve Counselling - https://www.evolvecounsellingyxe.com/
Yukon
Jody Cook, Jody Cook Counselling (Virtual) - https://jodycookcounselling.com/