WHEN A BABY DIES // WORKSHOP FACILITATED BY DENISE LOVE //
THURSDAY 27TH APRIL 9.30 - 2.30
Motherhood is a fundamentally emotional journey. It is impossible to separate the rich, raw feelings of being a mama from the role of being a mother itself.
When a baby dies, the tragic reality of the loss is overwhelming. Whether it be a miscarriage, an abortion, a stillbirth or a neonatal birth, the promise of motherhood is shattered and the mother, her partner and family face a new, very demanding path: bereavement. Whilst this path can only be walked by them, they should never walk it unsupported.
And yet our culture often fails in supporting bereaved women and their families and loved ones appropriately: not because we don't want to-- the outpouring of love to these families is often strong and visible. Instead, we, as a culture, have multiple barriers to offering that support: a taboo around death (especially that of a baby), a lack of awareness of the practical and emotional issues that co-exist with bereavement, especially when a baby is involved; and not being equipped with tools that can help the mother experience her grief and find her new normal in working with her loss.
This one day workshop aims to help bridge that gap in dealing with the death of a baby: to actively create a space where the mother and father/partner feel held and support people and birthworkers can find the language and gestures to support them in moving into and through the sadness.
The workshop is for anyone who has had a baby die, experienced a stillbirth or miscarriage, or who has had an abortion. Birth workers will benefit from sitting in circle and hearing stories and sharing the experiences they have had. We will look at the challenges we face in handling a little body, green funerals and rituals that may help with grief.
"When a Baby Dies" is facilitated by Denise Love, a birth and death Doula trainer. Denise has been working with birth for a number of decades, including the last few years in Cambodia. She empowers communities by running doula training in both rural and city settings, and also integrates into her work the important task of lovingly supporting people who are coming to the end of their lives. She runs LifeOptions as well as Women's Health Cambodia, a non profit organisation that helps bring safe birth to women in remote villages in Cambodia.
The "When a Baby Dies" workshop will be held on Thursday 27th April from 9.30am to 2.30pm in Bellingen (venue TBA). The cost of the workshop is $90 and payment plans are available. Snacks will be provided, please bring a plate to share for lunch.
To book into the workshop, or for any enquiries, please contact me on 0418950793 or email earthysammi@gmail.com
Copyright Sammi Cambray/Sacred Whisper Bellingen 2017
Sammi is a holistic doula and birth counsellor, and is the publisher of Sacred Whisper Bellingen
Ph: 0418 950 793
