VMC Infomail Newsletter: Pregnancy and Infant Loss

I wanted to share this because it starts with pregnancy loss statistics, mentioning stillborn births and miscarriages.  Sheri and I have gone through both of these, and it is not fun.  I have heard of others going through the same thing.  I feel for them.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Unfortunately, pregnancy loss is not that uncommon, but, it is rarely talked about. An estimated 1 in every 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage and stillbirth affects 1 in 160 pregnancies.  Ronald Reagan declared October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month on October 25, 1988. "When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn’t a word to describe them.  This month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States and around the world.  It is also meant to inform and provide resources for parents who have lost children due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, stillbirths, birth defects, SIDS, and other causes.” 

Many pregnancy losses cannot be prevented, but, there are recommendations made by the American Medical Association to help encourage a healthy pregnancy:

-          Avoid Alcohol

-          Stop smoking

-          Don’t take illicit drugs while pregnant  

-          Talk to your doctor about which medications are safe to take during pregnancy

-          Take folic acid before and during pregnancy

-          Maintain a healthy diet and weight when possible

-          Attend all pre-natal medical appointments

-          Monitor your baby’s movements through kick counts.

More information regarding kick counts can be found at http://americanpregnancy.org/while-pregnant/kick-counts/

Suicide Prevention at LDS.org

lds.org has a page dedicated to suicide prevention.  This page has a myriad of resources which can be accessed by clicking on the drop menus buttons throughout the article.  This page has information for both the individual who may be having suicidal thoughts, as well as those who may be interacting with someone who is suicidal.  I would invite you to check it out. 

Linea de Crisis: Spanish Language Crisis Line

Documentary The S (suicide) Word

http://theswordmovie.com/  The S Word Movie is an attempt to get people talking about suicide, rather than sweeping it under the  rug.  Suicide is a problem that effects so much of our population, either from someone we know, as our self survivors of an attempt, or from being a member of our communities.  This movie shares stories we would not have other wise heard.  I presents from the Black culture, gay culture, hispanic culture and asian culture.  It presents both those who have attempted, and those family members of someone who suicided.  All have their own story to tell. 
warning: If you are sensitive to gay issues, then this might not be the best movie for you, as gay issues seem to dominate a good deal of the movie.  However, it is time we broke the silence about suicide, and in so doing offer support to others to help us all get through.

Helping Children Deal with Trauma and Disasters

With so many disasters, natural and man made, taking place this year, sharing this pamphlet from National Institute of Mental Health is appropriate.  The first thing that is clear from the pamphlet is that different ages react differently to trauma,  I really like the dos and don'ts.

5 Keys to Raising Good Kids

https://curiousmindmagazine.com/parents-who-raise-good-kids/

This article attributes these five ideas to Harvard psychologists.
1. Spend quality time with your children.  This suggests spending some time each day with your children.  Questions you could ask are, What was the best part of your day? What was the hardest part of your day?  What is something nice somebody did for you today?  What is something nice you did today?  What is something you learned today?
2. Let your kids see a strong moral role model and mentor in you.  Admit mistakes and apologize.  Take time for yourself  so you have energy to be attentive.
3. Teach your child to care for others and  set high ethical expectations.  Caring for others' well being and avoiding selfishness are important qualities.  More important than being happy, is to be kind and happy.  Let your children work things out, considering the consequences their decision might have on others.
4. Encourage children  to practice appreciation and gratitude.  A child that shows appreciation is not a spoiled child.  Encourage an attitude of gratitude.  Children should say thank you to friends, teachers, family members on a regular basis.  Demonstrate by being grateful yourself.
5. Teach them to see the big picture.  It is normal for children to be concerned about their inner circle.  This zooming in is important.  however they also need to zoom out, and see others in their community.  This includes being in tune to the new child in school, or the child being teased.  Also talk about conditions in the world, and hardships of other children.

Santa Clara County Mental Health Call Center/ Suicide and Crisis Line