Pregnancy or Infant Loss & Termination Resources
If you experienced a loss of any kind during or after pregnancy, and need extra support, here are some options are for you, organized by area of the metro. It may be good to check a couple of different areas, to find the closest location(s) to you.
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Bittersweet
A support group for parents who have experienced the death of a twin or other multiple.Meets the third Tuesday of each month. For details, contact Barb Schaack at 952-854-1997 or barbschaack@yahoo.com.
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Groups are held every other Monday of each month • 5–6:30 p.m.
United Hospital, St. Paul
The Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group helps parents whose baby has died through ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth or newborn death (shortly following birth or during an NICU stay). The group is made up of parents, and is led by staff members from both Allina Health and Children’s Minnesota. Pre-registration is requested. Please call Annette Klein, RN for more information or to register at 651-241-6206. -
A GRACE Support Group is a safe place to find community with others who have had a pregnancy or infant loss, or face infertility challenges. The groups are open to the bereaved parents and grandparents looking to work through grief in healthy ways and to commemorate their babies. Bring pictures or other special memorial items to share about your baby with the group.
Coon Rapids meetings: Faith Lutheran Church 11115 Hanson Blvd 1st Mon. of each month, 6:30-8:30 pm. Call Kara at 612-708-7710 or email missinggrace.caresforyou@gmail.com
Rogers meetings: The Center for GRACE 12817 Main Street, every other Tues. 6:30-8:30 pm. Coffee/beverages and light refreshments are provided. Call Cheri, at 612-282-9123 or email missinggrace.caresforyou@gmail.com
Pregnancy & Infant Loss Group- Maple Grove
The pregnancy and infant loss group is intended to help parents whose baby has died through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, or newborn death. A variety of topics like couple’s communication in grief and preparing for anniversaries to provide tools for better understanding your grief and memorializing your baby. The group is limited in size, free of charge, and open to the public. Parents are welcome to come alone or together. For more information or to register contact Sue Steen at sue.steen@maplegrovehospital.org or (763) 581-2223. Meets one Tues. evening per month from 5:30-7 pm.
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Miscarriage and Early Pregnancy Loss Support Group
Women who (within the last two years) have miscarried, experienced recurrent miscarriage, an ectopic or first-trimester pregnancy loss; and who are trying to conceive again and sustain a viable pregnancy. Group meets virtually on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month from 9:30-10:30 am. Facilitated by Michele Dahn at PHA Wellness.
Brighter Days Family Grief Center
Minnesota’s grief resources hub. Brighter Days focuses on loss of a loved one (any relationship to loved one and every loss-type).
Minnesota’s only hospice and respite home for kids.
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Bittersweet
A support group is for parents who’ve experienced the death of a twin or multiple meets once a month. Bloomington Contact: Barb Schaack, RN at 952-854-1997
Infants Remembered in Silence, Inc. (IRIS)
IRIS is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to offering support, education and resources to parents, families, friends and professionals on the death of a child in early pregnancy (miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, etc) or from stillbirth, premature birth, neo-natal death, birth defects, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), illness, accidents, and all other types of infant & early childhood death. There is time to share your story if you would like, share your pictures and other keepsakes, and time to learn about how you are feeling.
Midday meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month from 11 AM – 1 PM. Evening meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 7 – 8:30 PM at the IRIS Office – 218 3rd Ave. NW Faribault, MN 55021
If you have questions please feel free to call: (507)334-4748 or email: support@irisRemembers.com
There is no registration required and no fees. -
CLIMB (Center for Loss in Multiple Birth)
Support for parents throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond who have experienced the death of one or more, both or all twins or higher multiples at any time from conception through birth, infancy, and childhood.
Compassionate Friends Facebook Group- Infant and Toddler Loss support group
An opportunity to share experiences and heartache, the added difficulties related to the loss of an infant or toddler, things that may have been helpful to us on this journey, and anything else that you are feeling since your child, brother or sister, or grandchild died.
Facebook Group- Miscarriage or Stillbirth support group
An opportunity to share your experiences and heartache, the added difficulties related to miscarriage or stillbirth, things that may have been helpful to us on this journey, and anything else that you are feeling since your child, brother or sister, or grandchild died.
Ending a Wanted Pregnancy Support
We invite you to join our private support group. Here you will find friendship and understanding to help you along on your road to healing. Our private support group is open only to those who’ve ended a pregnancy following a prenatal diagnosis or due to maternal health issues. We are careful about who let in, and strive to keep our community safe and supportive.
Located in Danbury, WI, Faith’s Lodge is to provide a place where parents and families facing the serious illness or loss of a child can retreat to reflect on the past, renew strength for the present and build hope for the future. Low to no-cost. 612-825-2073 or info@faithslodge.org
A pregnancy and infant loss support network. We offer a Pen-Pal program and online support group for grieving families as well as this community page and a website with various resources to help support the general public.
Hand to Hold- Virtual Support for Bereaved Parents
If you have experienced a bereavement in the NICU, please join us and other bereaved families via Zoom. Our groups are a safe space for you to share, or just listen. You are welcome to join us each week with video or audio. Instructions on how to join the group will be in your confirmation e-mail. If you have any questions, or any topics you would like to discuss, please share below. If you are a NICU professional (social worker, etc), please email us before the meeting at christine@handtohold.org.An online support resource for dads who have experienced pregnancy loss, infant loss, stillbirth, created by a dad who has lived it.
PALS – Facebook groups
Parenting after Pregnancy or Infant Loss Support
A private group run by for moms who are parenting their baby after a loss during the first year after birth.
Newly Bereaved Support
A private group for moms who are newly bereaved through having lost a child at any gestation or age.We know that having a safe place is vital for our Courageous Mamas who have had to terminate for medical reasons.
Postpartum Support International (PSI)
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Connection for parents grieving the loss of their baby. Led by PSI trained facilitators, this group helps bereaved parents find support as well as provides useful information and resources to help them navigate the pain of their loss. Losing a baby can be a lonely experience and this group helps provide an avenue for healing and hope. *There is one group specific to moms, and another for all parents.
Termination for Medical Reasons Many parents face the difficult choice to end a pregnancy due to a devastating maternal or fetal diagnosis. Our online Termination for Medical Reasons Support Group provides non-judgmental support to moms who experienced termination for medical reasons. This group meets the 1st Thursday of each month at 11 am CST.
Groups are free, but registration is required.
Return to Zero- Growth & Healing After Pregnancy & Infant Loss (Private Facebook Group)
Grieving the death of your baby during pregnancy or infancy is hard work. Feeling isolated in this journey can be even harder. This is an online community to support and lift each other up.
Return to Zero also has groups that are specific to type of loss, as well as groups for couples, women of color, those who have terminated due to a medical reason, and more! Check them out here!
Online Pregnancy Loss Support Chat (for the loss of baby through miscarriage, still birth or in the first weeks of life) meets the 1st, 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00pm-9:00pm CST. To connect to the group meeting, go to our website at http://nationalshare.org/online-support/
Bereaved Parents Group: 1st & 3rd Monday of each month, 6:00 pm; 2nd & 4th Thurs, 7:00 pm Register here.
Parenting after loss group, 1st Wed of the month, at two different times: 12 pm & 8:30 pm; 3rd Wed of the month, at two different times: 12 pm & 8:30 pm. Register here
Coping with SIDS/SUID or infant death, 2nd Wed of the month, 6 pm. Register here
Dad’s Grief Discussion Group, 2nd Monday of each month, 6:00 pm central. Register here
Doula Resources specifically for those who have lost a baby, or are carrying a baby that has been diagnosed with a condition that will result in death postpartum.
Find the support and connection you need in a safe, confidential space (closed group, all members go through a screening process). Have your questions answered about grief and all the emotions and layers that come with TFMR (ending a wanted pregnancy). This peer and bereavement doula run Facebook group aims to keep its members secure through this screening process.
Get connected with a perinatal loss doula on-call to support you during your time of grief in hospitals, emergency rooms or at home. Volunteers also make baby burial layettes, offer support recommendations and retreats. 651-403-3556
Grief support groups for parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles. Families do not have to have a connection to the hospital to access these resources.