How to Support a Grieving Mother After Child Loss: Advice From a Mother of Stillbirth

Still A Part of Us: A podcast about pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and infant loss

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses infant loss, including miscarriage and stillbirth. Please listen with care.

Today’s guest, Claire, shares her experience of losing her daughter, Paulie, during childbirth due to shoulder dystocia. She opens up about how she found ways to navigate her grief.

In this episode, Claire talks with Winter about the journey she's faced since the tragic loss of her daughter, Paulie. She reflects on the comfort of a meal train organized by supportive friends, which took the burden of cooking off her family’s shoulders. Claire also discusses her return to work as a step toward finding a sense of normalcy and as a way to help distract herself from the immense pain.

Some highlights from this episode with Claire:

• Claire shares Paulie’s birth story, including the tragic accident during delivery

• The physical and emotional toll of losing her daughter

• Returning to work as a way to ease back into everyday life

• How staying active supported her emotional and mental healing

• The importance of acknowledging grief and practical ways to support someone after a loss

Claire’s story is a reminder of the power of community, the importance of recognizing grief, and the small, meaningful steps toward healing after loss.

Quotes:

“The day before the funeral I had went for an ultrasound early in the morning because I had an infection in the uterus–it really felt like the world is kicking you when I was down. That's really what it felt like.” – Claire (13:31)

“I definitely think to ignore and talk about other things is worse for me than bringing it up and saying––not, ‘are you okay?’ But like, you know, really saying like, ‘I loved your pregnant belly,’ like, ‘I wish Paulie was here with us. I wish she was able to experience how amazing you are’ or whatever.” – Claire (26:28)

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Links:

Grief Support Groups: https://nationalshare.org/

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