Resources

Below are several resources that have helped me tremendously throughout our journey with Christian. I hope you will find them helpful too!

Books on Carrying to Term:

I Will Carry You, by Angie Smith

Angie’s story was the first book I read after Christian’s diagnosis. She carried her daughter Audrey after they were told she had a fatal diagnosis. Her honesty and openness in sharing her story really touched me, as did her faith in Christ, who clearly has carried her through her experience. Angie blogs at www.angiesmithonline.com

A Gift of Time: Continuing Your Pregnancy When Your Baby's Life Is Expected to Be Brief by Amy Kuebelbeck and Deborah Davis

This book came out literally weeks before Christian’s diagnosis, and it was invaluable to me and my husband. It was good to hear stories from people who had gone through carrying a pregnancy despite a fatal prenatal diagnosis. At a time when we felt so alone, this book offered insight and experience from those who had walked in our shoes. Although each story, diagnosis and experience was different, our feelings, fears and hopes were all validated in reading the different stories. It made us feel a little less alone and gave us support while honoring Christian's short life. We are so thankful for this book.

Waiting With Gabriel by Amy Kuebelbeck

A personal account by Amy while carrying her son Gabriel, who was born with a fatal heart defect. Another well-written, honest account of carrying to term.

Books on Grieving/Coping with Loss:

The One Year Book of Hope (weekly devotional) by Nancy Guthrie

Grieving the Child I Never Knew (devotional), by Kathe Wunnenberg

Empty Cradle, Broken Heart: Surviving the Death of Your Baby, by Deborah L. Davis

Hearing Jesus Speak into Your Sorrow, by Nancy Guthrie

God's Plan for Your Life: Overcoming Grief (30 devotionals) Family Christian Stores

Websites:

String of Pearls

http://www.stringofpearlsonline.org/

String of Pearls, created by Laura Huene in honor of her daughter Pearl, provides a nurturing and safe place for families as they navigate the path following a fatal prenatal diagnosis. Laura is wonderful and sent us a care package before Christian was born with special keepsakes to remember him by.

*************************

Be Not Afraid

http://www.benotafraid.net/

A wonderful online outreach to parents who have received a poor or difficult prenatal diagnosis. The family stories, articles, and links within this site are presented as a resource for those who may have been asked to choose between terminating a pregnancy or continuing on despite the diagnosis. The benotafraid.net families faced the same decision and chose not to terminate. By sharing experiences, they hope to offer encouragement to those who may be afraid to continue on.

*************************

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/

NILMDTS is a non-profit organization that provides remembrance photography for families whose children are either still-born or are sick at birth and only live a short time. We are so thankful for this organization and our photographer who blessed us with priceless photos of our sweet Christian, both before he was born in a maternity shoot and afterward in the hospital. I can't put into words what these photos mean to us.

Other Helpful Websites:

For the Fathers: http://www.grievingdads.com/

Glow In the Woods: http://www.glowinthewoods.com/

Faces of Loss, Faces of Hope: http://facesofloss.com/