Perinatal Hospice

There is a wonderful movement called perinatal hospice.  It's purpose is to support families continuing a pregnancy after adverse prenatal diagnosis.

"Perinatal hospice is not a place; it is a way of thinking about your pregnancy and your baby."

"It is a continuum of supportive care that honors your baby as well as your role as parents."

"It affirms life and regards dying as a normal process, intending neither to hasten nor postpone death." 

[Quotes from A Gift of Time: Continuing Your Pregnancy When Your Baby's Life Is Expected to Be Brief,  Amy Kuebelbeck and Deborah L. Davis, Ph.D.]


We were fortunate to learn of this model of care shortly after Joan was diagnosed with Trisomy 18.  And we were even more blessed to find amazing, supportive individuals to take this journey with us.

To say that I am a huge advocate of this movement is an understatement.  I am proof of it's value.

I have been thinking a lot lately about how to raise awareness of the perinatal hospice concept.

Would it shock you to hear that most people -- including medical professionals who care for pregnant women, and probably even the same doctors that diagnose these fatal disorders -- have never heard of perinatal hospice?

It's time for that to change...