Loss of a Desired Pregnancy
How Can We Help?
The complications and depth of grief associated with pregnancy or newborn loss are often underestimated.
The University of Michigan Health staff wish to extend our deepest condolences to you and your family. It is difficult to experience a loss when you had likely developed hopes and dreams for your future that grew out of this pregnancy. While grieving has many similarities, we understand that everyone grieves differently.
Some information that follows may feel relevant to you now and perhaps some at a later time. We hope these resources will be helpful to you and your family.
Office of Decedent Affairs (ODA)
Our office hours are Monday through Friday 8 am - 5 pm
Other Grief Information
This page is intended to provide information and support following a pregnancy loss. This page offers information and support following a pregnancy loss. For resources related to the death of an adult or a child, please see the links below to visit the appropriate pages.
Walk to Remember & Tree-Planting Memorial
For over 20 years, families and care teams have gathered each October at Nichols Arboretum to honor and remember babies and pregnancies lost too soon. This special event offers a supportive space for reflection, comfort, healing and community.
Support & Guidance After Pregnancy Loss
In the days and weeks that follow a pregnancy loss, it is normal to feel overwhelmed about what to do. You may have had difficult decisions to make regarding your medical care and what final arrangements are right for you.
The complications and depth of grief associated with pregnancy or newborn loss are often underestimated. While many may think you should be able to quickly move on from your loss, it may seem to you that you will never smile or feel like yourself again. Grieving is a normal, natural response to loss, common among all people.
Financial & Legal Concerns
You are not alone. Resources are available to assist families with financial limitations and legal concerns after their pregnancy loss.
Remembrance
The only “right” way to remember your pregnancy is what feels right to you and your family. Losing a pregnancy can be devastating. Our Remembrance page has information and advice from other bereaved parents about creating memories both when you are in the hospital and after you leave the hospital, including information about Michigan Medicine’s Walk to Remember event.
Resources & Support
Having someone you can talk to is important. It may be difficult to accept support but it is sometimes the best thing you can do to take care of yourself and those around you. Many bereaved parents have even shared that accepting help from others (family, friends, and/or professionals) and caring for themselves is a beautiful way to honor their child.
U-M Health also offers a Pregnancy and Newborn Loss Support Group as part of the Women's Health Classes.
Some other resources include:
Events & Support Groups
Pregnancy & Newborn Loss Support Group
Pregnancy & Newborn Loss Support Group
Pregnancy & Newborn Loss Support Group
Pregnancy & Newborn Loss Support Group
Pregnancy & Newborn Loss Support Group
Pregnancy & Newborn Loss Support Group
Pregnancy & Newborn Loss Support Group
Pregnancy & Newborn Loss Support Group
Pregnancy & Newborn Loss Support Group
