They Were Still Born: Personal Stories about Stillbirth

About this book

Stillbirth defined as the death of an infant between 20 weeks gestation and birth is a tragedy repeated thirty thousand times every year in the United States. That means more than eighty mothers a day feel their babies slip silently from their bodies the only sound in the delivery room their own sobs. Eighty stillborn babies a day means heartbroken families mourn the death of children who will never breathe gurgle learn to walk or go to school. In 2006 Janel Atlas became one of those mothers who left the hospital with empty arms; her second daughter Beatrice Dianne was stillborn at 36 weeks. Reaching out for comfort she realized a dire need shared by so many others like her and so was born a collection of new essays by writers each sharing their firsthand experiences with stillbirth. Atlas includes selections not only from mothers but also fathers and grandparents all of whom have intimate stories to share with readers. In addition there are selections that answer many of the medical questions families have in the wake of a stillbirth and that offer the latest research on this devastating loss and how it might be prevented. Grieving parents will find in these pages the comfort of knowing they are not alone on this painful path validation of their babies lives and guidance from those who have suffered this tragedy. In addition They Were Still Born both inspires and shows readers how to honor and remember their own babies and stories of loss. No parent- or grandparent-to-be sets out planning to purchase They Were Still Born. Unfortunately there will always be readers-devastated grieving and searching for voices to help them through-who need it.