death of child

Should Home Birth Be Illegal in America?
Pregnancy

Home Birth: Should Having Baby This Way Be Illegal?

It's a woman's body, but should she be able to have her baby at home?
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It's a woman's body, but should she be able to have her baby at home? In a day of modern technology, many moms-to-be choose to give birth in a hospital. Having a trained medical staff and NICU nearby can make the process of labor and delivery less daunting for parents. There are no guarantees when it comes to a newborn making their way into the world — mishaps and fatalities can occur anywhere. A new report suggests that while the age-old method of home birth has recently garnered more advocates in America, little attention has been given to the parents who lose a child in the process. One mom said:

“When most families plan for a home birth, they don’t also plan for a funeral. I certainly didn’t. But that is how my home-birth story ended.”

What's your opinion on home birth?

Mourning Mother Kelly Preston Won't Speak About Jett Yet
Kelly Preston

Mourning Mother Kelly Preston Won't Speak About Jett Yet

To be predeceased by a child is a parent's nightmare that became the sad reality for John Travolta and Kelly Preston when their son died last January.
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To be predeceased by a child is a parent's nightmare that became the sad reality for John Travolta and Kelly Preston when their son died last January. The Hollywood couple has remained out of the public eye as they lament the loss of their late 16-year-old, Jett. In July, it was announced that Kelly would break her silence and speak out about her devastation on a grief and resilience panel at the California Governor's Conference for Women in October. The mourning mother has since (and understandably) pulled out. She said:

"It is with my sincere apologies that I must pull out from speaking at [the] conference. I am sorry, but I truly believed that I could do it. Otherwise I never would have said that I could. But I am still deeply in the process of healing, and it's just too soon."

If you know parents who have lost a child, here are tips for offering your support.

How to Help Parents Grieving the Loss of a Child
News

How to Help Parents Grieving the Loss of a Child

Actor John Travolta and his wife, Kelly Preston suffered a devastating loss on Friday when their 16-year-old son, Jett, died.
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Actor John Travolta and his wife, Kelly Preston suffered a devastating loss on Friday when their 16-year-old son, Jett, died. Being predeceased by a child is a parent's worst nightmare. The mere thought of losing one's offspring is enough to bring a mother or father to tears. The reality is difficult to fathom so finding the words to appropriately comfort someone who is grieving such a loss can be hard. Here are some tips to use in coping with the sensitive task of supporting a parent whose child has died.

  • Behave naturally
  • Show genuine concern
  • Offer love patiently and unconditionally

To see the rest of the suggestions, read more