E03: Having questions and finding answers

When it comes to stillbirth, bereaved parents often have questions. Sometimes, there are no good answers. This lack of clarity can give rise to powerful emotions, including confusion, anger, and guilt. Today we'll hear from Courtney Hiller. Courtney and her husband Jasyn made the difficult decision to terminate their pregnancy after their son Luca was diagnosed with multiple health conditions that were incompatible with life. Courtney shares how her questions evolved over the weeks and months after Luca's stillbirth. We’ll also hear from OB/GYN Megan O’Neill, whose own son, George, was stillborn at 33 weeks. Megan provides insight into how she helps families deal with questions that arise after stillbirth, and how she supports patients through the process of stillbirth and during pregnancies that follow loss. Courtney and Megan demonstrate how to use our voices to ask questions, find answers, and seek support from community and others with lived experience of stillbirth. 

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Notes: 

Spina bifida myelomeningocele - https://www.canchild.ca/en/diagnoses/spina-bifida

Chiari II malformation - https://neurosurgery.med.ubc.ca/programs/pediatric-neurosurgical-service/chiari-malformation-syringomyelia-program/

Severe hydrocephalus - https://braininjurycanada.ca/en/caregiver/about-brain-injury/hydrocephalus/

Folic acid and neural tube defects (like spina bifida) - https://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/resource/folic-acid/#:~:text=Folic%20acid%20is%20a%20B,can%20significantly%20reduce%20the%20risk

Mamas for Mamas - https://www.mamasformamas.org/

T.F.M.R. Mamas - https://www.tfmrmamas.com/

After the Loss of Your Baby - http://www.bcwomens.ca/health-info/pregnancy-parenting/stillbirth-newborn-loss

Stillbirth Happens: Podcast - http://www.bcwomens.ca/health-info/pregnancy-parenting/stillbirth-newborn-loss/podcast-stillbirth-happens