Empty Arms, Broken Hearts
Kathy Triick
Mayville, WI USA
From: NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 15 No. 2, March - April 1998, pp. 36-40
We provide articles from our publications from previous years for reference for our Leaders and members. Readers are cautioned to remember that research and medical information change over time.
Early in the morning on December
4, 1992, I went into labor to deliver our fourth child. I was at home,
surrounded by my family; we were excited and ready to welcome a new
baby into our lives. After a very short and intense few hours, Michael
Jacob Triick was born and the world came crashing down around us. Michael
was born with Trisomy 13, a condition involving multiple, severe, uncorrectable
birth defects. He lived for 32 hours, most of which were spent in my
arms in a neonatal intensive care unit. After he died, we returned home
with empty, broken hearts, numb with the pain of our grief. Our lives
were shattered. They have since mended, but the scars will always be
there.
Most of us will eventually
find our lives touched by loss, whether it is our own tragedy, a friend's,
or that of a member of our extended family. The emotions involved are
intense, agonizing, and hard to face. It is difficult to know what to
do, how to cope. I would like to share with you some insights I have
gained from my own experience and from talking to others who have suffered
the loss of a child.
Grief, like all of life's
experiences, finds different expression in different people. There are
no rules to follow, no set procedures that will get everyone through
the devastation. It is a long, unpredictable process. Women who are
in the midst of tragedy often get conflicting signals and advice from
friends and family. Just as there is no one right way to mother a child,
there is also no one correct way to grieve, whether the cause of the
child's death was unexpected, as it is with accidents, miscarriage,
stillbirth, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, a case like Michael's, or
whether it occurs after a long, drawn-out illness.
The age of the child when
he or she dies is not an accurate measure of the grief a family will
feel. When a newborn baby dies, it is no more or less a loss to that
family than when an older child dies. Miscarriages are often grieved
deeply by both the mother and the rest of the family. Many people are
not familiar with the fact that not every multiple pregnancy results
in multiple live births. Parents who have lost one baby in a set of
twins or triplets grieve just as much as parents who have lost children
in other ways. "Being prepared for the arrival of two and only parenting
one is the hardest thing I have ever done," says Laura Jerbi, co-founder
of the Chicago Connection for Loss in Multiple Birth. "I was trying
so hard to get the nursing thing down right, was sore from the incision,
tired, unnerved.... I would cry at the drop of a pin, mostly from feeling
so overwhelmed from the whole ordeal, let alone any postpartum changes!
The first time I tried to nurse Katie, all I kept seeing were the images
in all the books of two babies at two breasts." These families are not
only dealing with the death of one of their children, but they also
must cope with all the stresses that accompany life with a newborn (or
two). In addition, the surviving baby or babies may be hospitalized
for a time after their birth, which involves its own brand of confusion
and grief.
Grief Is an Individual Journey
When dealing with bereavement
and loss, whatever works, whatever parents need to do (or not do) to
survive the experience is what is right for them. As you trust in the
inborn ability of parents to be able to choose what is right for their
family in other situations, trust also that they will be able to choose
better than anyone else how to get through their grief in the best way
that they can.
Please don't ignore grieving
parents or their tragedy. When people are confronted with bereaved parents
and watch them as they suffer through their loss, they come face-to-face
with their own feelings about death. This can be a very disconcerting
and difficult experience. Acknowledging your own feelings and expressing
your own sorrow are often far more comforting than "being strong" for
the family. If you are uncomfortable or don't know what to say, a hug,
an arm around the mother's waist, a sympathetic touch on the arm, will
all speak volumes.
Although expressions of sympathy
are always appreciated, probably far more than the giver realizes, use
some care in what you choose to say. There is nothing wrong with a simple,
heartfelt "I'm sorry, I feel so bad for you." However, after Michael
died, I heard many things from people who I knew truly cared and were
doing their best to try to ease my sadness, but which really hurt. Don't
tell a mother that you know how she feels, even if you have had a very
similar tragedy in your own life. It's never the same. Avoid comments
such as these: "You're young, you can have more children" (I didn't
want another child, I wanted Michael!); "You're so lucky, you still
have three beautiful children here with you" (You can imagine how lucky
I felt); or "Now you have a little angel in heaven" (I didn't want him
in heaven, I wanted him alive and in my arms!). These remarks can assault
the grieving heart and can cause a mother to doubt the legitimacy of
her own feelings.
Helpful Actions
The best thing you can offer
a grieving mother is to sit with her and listen to her, if she wants
to talk, for as long as she wants to talk. A mother may need to talk
about her baby and his or her death for weeks, months, or even years.
Suspend all judgments, offer no solutions, and don't try to talk her
out of her feelings. Be a safe receptacle for her grief. Use reflective
listening, restating what she has said to you and her feelings about
it in a way that shows her your understanding and acceptance. In this
way, you will be able to offer her a much needed respite from comments
that suggest how she "should" feel. John DeFrain, in the book Stillborn,
says, "The most helpful people were those who were not afraid to talk
about death. They did not look the other way, or change the subject,
or run off to some important tasks. They stayed with me. They held fast.
They were afraid, but they were not so afraid that they could not be
with me... Thank God for them."
One of the most important
things you can do when helping a grieving mother (or anyone else, for
that matter) is to ask her what she needs or feels comfortable with,
because it will vary from person to person. Some women will want to
talk; some will want to be left alone. Some people will lose themselves
in a frenzy of activity; some will be unable to get out of bed for days
on end. Many grieving mothers are so numb that it is impossible for
them to think. A specific suggestion of something you could do for her,
such as bringing the family a meal, doing some laundry, or running a
few errands for her, is much more helpful than a vague offer such as,
"Whatever I can do to help, just call me." The grieving mother may find
it totally impossible to pick up the phone and call for help, no matter
how badly she needs it or how well she knows you.
It means a lot to a mother
whose baby has died when people remember her little one, especially
as time passes. Use the child's name when you talk about him or her.
It is music to her ears. Remember the baby's birthday, send her a note,
a card, or some flowers. You might make or buy a special holiday ornament
in memory of the child, send a poem to the family, or make a monetary
donation to a favorite charity in her baby's name. You could help the
mother put together a "Memory Box" or contribute to one. Ask to see
pictures of her baby, if there are any. Don't be hesitant to talk about
her baby. Don't worry that you'll open old wounds or remind the mother
about something that she's forgotten. She is never going to forget her
child, but she may be concerned that others will. Michael was here in
this world with us for such a short time, we have only a few pictures
of him, and it makes me so sad to think that the rest of the world might
not even remember that he existed. Don't feel bad if the mother cries
when you talk about her little one. She cries anyway; you did not cause
her tears.
Fathers May Grieve Differently
Remember that others are
grieving, too, not just the mother. Each individual's grief is unique
in its intensity and duration, and unlike anyone else's grief--even
that of others grieving for the same child. Bonnie Douglas, a mother
whose son died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), recalls, "My
husband seemed to be grieving harder than I was at first but he seemed
to resolve faster. . . . I seemed to have more prolonged grief." It
is common for men and women to grieve quite differently, to express
their grief differently, and to have different needs during the grieving
process. The father whose child has died may react negatively to something
that was helpful to the mother. This needs to be respected. As Susan
Borg and Judith Lasker write in When Pregnancy Fails, "The father
who appears busy and in control often will only express his grief in
private. One bereaved father, who never shed a tear in front of anyone,
spent many hours crying outside in the snow by his rose bush the night
his baby died."
Siblings will be devastated
by the death of another child in the family, although they may not look
like it. It's common to see children running and laughing at a funeral.
This behavior does not mean that they don't care; their minds simply
need to take breaks between bouts of grief. One of the most distressing
comments I heard after Michael died wasn't even directed at me. More
than one person told my oldest daughter, who was only ten at the time,
"You must be strong for your mother, she needs you now." The last thing
she needed at that point was to bury her own grief trying to deal with
mine.
Children can be very frightened
at the intensity of their grief and that of others around them. They
may be confused about what has happened, they may feel guilty imagining
that something they did might have caused the tragedy, they may feel
isolated from their grieving parents, or they may have fears for their
own safety and well-being. Children may or may not cry, and if they
do, they may not choose to let you see it.
Helping children to grieve
can be quite challenging. Creativity is sometimes required when helping
them find outlets for their grief that they are comfortable with. Some
children will tell or write stories about their brother or sister; some
will play act about it. Some will cling; some will remain distant and
aloof. One of my daughters was very uncomfortable talking about Michael's
death but would draw pictures to express herself. Just like adults,
children are all different. Let them know that you care and are there
for them, but allow them their individuality.
Talking with Children about Death
In When Pregnancy Fails,
the authors refer to the advice of Rabbi Earl Grollman, the editor of
Explaining Death to Children. He acknowledges that "it is easier
to advise parents on what not to say about death. No one formula exists
that is always appropriate. Grollman suggests introducing the idea and
the reality of death to children at an early age, using examples of
animals and flowers, so that a family crisis is not their first exposure
to death. The best that grieving parents can be expected to do is present
the facts simply and clearly, taking into account the child's age and
experience." Even now, five years later, my children cry when they remember
coming to the hospital to see their little brother, knowing he was sick
but never dreaming that he was only hours from death. My husband and
I had been unwilling to leave the hospital. We were acutely aware of
how little time we would have with Michael and yet we didn't feel right
telling our other children about his condition over the telephone. So
they were in the dark about his condition for almost a day, until they
were brought to Michael to see him, never dreaming that they would also
be saying their goodbyes. Nevertheless, the time they spent holding
him, both before and after they knew the truth, is one of their most
precious memories.
After Michael died, I cried
a lot, and I held on tight (literally) to my husband and to my three
living children. They were my anchors to life. If I hadn't had children
who needed me, I wouldn't have cared if I lived or died at that point.
I had many offers from people who said, "Let me take the kids for a
few hours, to give you some time alone." It was a kind thought, and
maybe it would have been helpful for another woman, but it could only
have made things worse for me. I didn't want to be alone. And my children
needed to be with me, too. They were working through their own grief
and fears. Not only had their brother died, but their parents were falling
apart before their eyes. Separation was unthinkable.
Emotional Reactions
The great majority of bereaved
parents are not going crazy, although they may do or say things that
seem very strange to you. Their emotional reactions are so strong; they
may become disoriented, depressed, bitter, and withdrawn for many months,
maybe even for years. Physical symptoms, such as insomnia and loss of
appetite, are common. "Empty arms" are a reality. Some mothers may want
to hold every baby they see; others may not be comfortable around babies
for years. Soon after Michael died, I found myself frantically digging
through my children's pile of dolls and stuffed animals for one that
would approximate the feel of a newborn baby. For months, I couldn't
sleep without that teddy bear in my arms.
Grieving parents commonly
burst into tears at what may seem to be random moments. Certain times
of the day, days of the week, or specific situations may be difficult
for them for a long time. Birth and death dates, the anniversary of
the child's due date, special occasions and holidays, especially Mother's
Day and Father's Day, are unavoidable reminders of what might have been.
Small things, normal, ordinary moments, may trigger painful memories.
Do not be alarmed by this. It is all a part of the grieving process.
Finding Support
One thing that I did that
was most helpful in my own journey through grief was to join our hospital's
support group for parents who had lost a baby. My husband attended with
me for a while and also got a lot from it, although his needs were filled
before mine. It was very reassuring to know that there were other people
in the world who were just as devastated as we were. We told each other
about our babies' lives and deaths over and over again (more times than
any of our friends could have stood to listen to). We shared many a
tearful phone call, used lots of macabre humor, and helped each other
over plenty of rough times. I still keep in touch with a few people
from that group. Many hospitals have similar programs. As members of
La Leche League, we all know the value of peer support.
The Compassionate Friends
is a national self-help organization dedicated to helping bereaved parents,
siblings, and grandparents. Local chapters exist throughout the world.
While this type of organization may not appeal to every grieving parent,
or may not be helpful at every stage of grief, it has been a great comfort
to many people. Many books about grieving include contact information
for such organizations.
About six months after Michael
died, my daughters attended a weekend camp for grieving children, called
Camp Hope. Everyone there, campers and adult counselors, had lost a
family member in a tragedy. At this camp, my children met other children
who were going through experiences similar to theirs. They could talk
to these other children about Michael without the fear of making them
uncomfortable, and they could listen as well, helping to ease someone
else's grief. This was an immense source of comfort to them and helped
to ease their grieving process. My children had begun to feel different
and weird because many of their friends at school were unable to cope
with their grief. I imagine those friends were frightened of the idea
of a sibling dying. They didn't understand it, didn't want to talk about
it, didn't even want to acknowledge its existence. It was a great relief
to my girls to find others in their age group who understood what they
were going through. This camp filled some of the same needs for them
that the adult support group did for me and my husband.
For some people, reading
helps to ease suffering. I read a lot about grief and the process of
grieving. But when I couldn't stand thinking anymore, I read lots of
good escapist fiction, too. When Pregnancy Fails, by Susan Borg
and Judy Lasker, or Empty Cradle, Broken Heart, by Deborah L. Davis, PhD, may be in your local LLL Group Library. Both of these compassionate books
help guide parents in dealing with the loss of a baby through miscarriage,
stillbirth, or neonatal death. Dr. William Sears has written a book
called SIDS: A Parent's Guide to Understanding and Preventing Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome. Most public libraries contain children's books that deal with the subject of death in an age-appropriate manner.
I am still grieving for my
son, and I always will. Michael may no longer be living with us on this
earth, but he lives in our hearts. Although I wasn't sure in the beginning,
I now know that we will survive our loss, in no small part due to the
friends we have in La Leche League. My life is now busier than ever,
no longer consumed with pain at every moment, and I have come to welcome
the tears which I shed as I remember Michael and what might have been.
They are my connection to him. When someday you find yourself confronted
with a family in grief, please remember that there are many ways that
you can support them. You can offer to help with day-to-day chores of
living, you can suggest resources that they might find helpful, you
can be accepting of their individual style of grief, and, above all,
you can listen.
Thank you for listening to my story.
Ellen Rose
By Suki Boydston
From LLL of Oregon's Patchwork Pages, Summer 1991
She was born, she died.
How strange that my life just goes on.
Is her life a dream I have wakened from?
A nightmare?
It is a dream so indescribably sweet
I long to be asleep again,
to have it continue.
Just to be there,
just to hold her again in my body,
again in my arms.
My sweet baby. Are you only in my heart?
A Life Line
By Cindy Minervini
Wisconsin Rapids WI USA
From LLL of Wisconsin's Badger Briefs, Spring 1997
Before I became a mother,
I was one of those people who didn't understand the ramifications of
a miscarriage. When my third pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, I learned
how difficult a situation it can be in many ways. Even though I hadn't
been happy about the pregnancy initially, I grieved when I lost the
baby. One thing that really struck me was how much I appreciated those
people who acknowledged my loss with a kind word or gesture. It wasn't
always easy for those few people to say, "I'm sorry about the loss of
your baby," but for me, it was like a lifeline to know that they cared.
I will always think kindly of those people who had the courage to acknowledge
my loss.
Resources
Berg, Barbara J. Nothing to Cry About.New York: Harper and Row, 1981.
Borg, Susan and Judith Lasker. When Pregnancy Fails. Boston: Beacon Press, 1981.
Davis, Deborah L. Empty Cradle, Broken Heart. Golden, CO: Fulcrum, 1991.
DeFrain, John. Stillborn:
The Invisible Death. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, 1986.
Mellonie, Bryan and Robert
Ingpen. Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children.
New York: Bantam, 1983.
Palmer, Pat. I Wish I
Could Hold Your Hand: A Child's Guide to Grief and Loss. San Luis
Obispo, CA: Impact, 1994.
Schatz, William H. Healing
a Father's Grief. Redmond, WA: Medic Publishing, 1984.
Sears, William. SIDS:
A Parent's Guide to Understanding and Preventing Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome. New York: Little, Brown, 1995.
Yarwood, Ann. Losing a
Baby. Ottowa, Ontario: Canadian Institute of Mental Health, 1983.
Center for Loss in Multiple Birth, Inc. (CLIMB)
P.O. Box 1064
Palmer, AK 99645 USA
(907) 746-6123
http://www.climb-support.org
The Compassionate Friends, Inc.
(The Compassionate Friends publishes a Resource Guide with a bibliography
listing books on death divided by category.)
P.O. Box 3696
Oak Brook, IL 60522-3696
(630) 990-0010
http://www.compassionatefriends.org
Pen Parents, Inc.
The International Support Network for Grieving Parents
P.O. Box 8738
Reno, NV 89507-8737
(702) 826-7332
(702) 829-0866 Fax
http://www.penparents.com
Perinatal Bereavement Services Ontario
50 Bullock Dr, Unit 6
Markham, Ontario L3P 3P2
(416) 472-1807
http://www.pbso.ca
Adapted from an article that originally appeared in the Spring 1997 issue of LLL of Wisconsin's Badger Briefs.
Last updated Wednesday, October 11, 2006 by njb.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:30:57 UTC 2007.
