Here is a list of books that many of us have found useful. All of them are available on loan from the Forth Valley Sands group library.

 

• When a Baby Dies, The experience of Late Miscarriage, Stillbith and Neonatal Death by Nancy Kohner and Alix Henley

This sensitive informative book offers a lifeline to bereaved parents and their families. Using letters from and interviews with many bereaved parents the authors have written a book, which offers understanding of what it means for a baby to die and the grief that follows. It also contains valuable information and causes of death, hospital practices, sources of support, and the care parents need in future pregnancies.

• Living with Leo by Mario Di Clemente

Leo's father, Mario, has written movingly of his experience of prospective fatherhood and the distress of bereavement. Twelve letters written over a year, from a father to his son, tell the story of Mario's life with Leo: of the excitement and anticipation, the grief and loss, and perhaps most important of all, the emergence of strength and hope.

• Born Asleep by Susan Lynagh

Born Asleep is a personal account of the unexplained stillbirth of Susan's second child, Amy, at 39 weeks gestation in April, 2002.  Losing her precious baby in this way was a deeply traumatic and profoundly sad experience and a life changing event that she knew she would need to document.

• Finding Zoe by Paula Jackson 

It was in January 2003, whilst visiting Australia, when Paula first heard of Zoe and Clive Gentle during a conversation with a mutual friend.  On arrival back in England, Paula set out on the long and emotional journey to find out as much as she could about Zoe, a baby who had died over forty years before.

• Where did I go wrong? by Sarah Speake

This is a personal account of the journey Sarah Speake has made since her daughter Amélie's unexpectedly early birth and subsequent death, a mere eleven days later.

• Fathers Feel Too by Andrew Don

When Andrew Don's baby Lara Jean died at five months in the womb, the hospital consultant sent his wife a condolence letter which didn't mention him. Andrew felt like a non-person. Seven years on he turned his experience into a book telling the stories of 10 men who have lost babies either during pregnancy, at birth or during the first year of life.

• Thomas, A Lifetime Denied by Shelley Wilkinson

Shelley wanted to tell the world about her wonderful son: how his death left her heartbroken but also how it has changed the course of her life. This book describes a mother's emotional journey to reconcile her anger and sadness at her baby's death, moving from denial, devastation, guilt, anger and to finally hope.

• A Star for Bobby by Helen Keenor

This is a book which talks directly to young children, using language and illustrations they can understand, about the death of a brother or sister, explaining why sometimes these things happen and how this may be making them feel.

• Soulmates : Blessed by Little Angels by Cheryl Peachey

Cheryl Peachey's deeply emotional rollercoaster journey after Kieryn's death took her to realms she never knew existed. It is only now, years later, that Cheryl is able to tell her story. Whilst never really being able to forgive those involved for the mistakes made during and after her pregnancy she is, with time, learning to rebuild her life.

• Alice : A Journey by Chrissy Merton 

"Lying shaking on the scanning table, I was told the baby inside me had a 50-50 chance of survival. I was six months pregnant. Our baby would either live or die, and we had no way of finding out" Chrissy Merton's compelling story takes you through all the emotions of her unusual pregnancy: fear, pain and uncertainty as well as laughter and intimacy. 

• I Hate This : A play without the baby by David Hansen 

David's one man play takes you from the moment his son was born and through the year that follows.... but not in that order. This is an honest, compelling and even humorous trip through one father's experience of stillbirth. 

• Toby's Tiny Tot by Jacqueline Savage 

Toby's Tiny Tot is the sensitive story of Toby's longing for a sibling. Through his eyes, we follow the painful path of loss and its consuming sadness. Beautifully illustrated a useful resource for families to help children understand about the death of their baby brother or sister.

• A Candle for Lisa by Debbie Ruskin 

Lisa Ruskin was born prematurely with serious heart defects. As her mother Debbie recovered consciousness from the emergency Caesarean Section, she was pressed to give consent to switch off Lisa's life support machine. She later learned that Lisa's organs had been retained by the hospital. In this sad but ultimately up-lifting book, Debbie tells of her fight to discover the truth about what happened to herself and Lisa, and of her own struggle to overcome her grief.

 

Our group library also has other books available for loan. These range from general self help books, to books of poetry and personal experiences of bereavement.