Forget-Me-Not Program
Support for early pregnancy, perinatal and infant loss.
About
When someone experiences a perinatal or infant loss, they may experience feelings of isolation, guilt, anxiety, shock and deep sadness. They may sense that no one understands what they’re going through. If this describes you, we want you to know that you’re not alone.
Carilion Clinic’s Forget-Me-Not program provides support to individuals and families who have experienced a loss through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, or death of a newborn or child up to one year of age. We believe that grief is not about “getting over” a loss or forgetting that it happened. Instead, it’s about remembering—acknowledging the loss and cherishing the memories.
While perinatal loss is all too common, each grief journey is individual. We realize that it is often comforting to be with others who understand what you are going through, so we offer support group gatherings as well as community events.
For more information on the Forget-Me-Not program, please call Carilion Direct at 540-266-6000 or 1-800-422-8482.
Resources
Online Resources
Please visit CarilionClinic.org/grief for a full listing of reliable grief resources as well as links to Carilion sponsored remembrance events.
Carilion Clinic Center for Grief and Healing Center for Loss & Life Transition (Alan Wolfelt resources) Courageous Parents Network Grief Watch (bereavement resources and memorial products) Hope After Loss MISS Foundation, (access to counseling resources, advocacy information and education) National Alliance for Children’s Grief Perinatal Hospice & Palliative Care: Continuing Your Pregnancy When Your Baby’s Life is Expected To Be Brief Postpartum Support Virginia Postpartum Support International Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Star Legacy Foundation (virtual grief support groups) The Compassionate Friends Non-Profit Organization for Grief
Books
A Gift of Time: Continuing Your Pregnancy When Your Baby’s Life is Expected To Be Brief, Amy Kuebelbeck et al.
After Stillbirth, Alan Wolfelt
Healing Your Grieving Heart After Miscarriage: 100 Practical Ideas for Parents and Families, Alan Wolfelt
Empty Arms: Coping with Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant Death, Sherokee Ilse
It’s Okay You’re Not Okay, Megan Divine
Still, Stephanie Cole
Still To Be Born, Pat Schwiebert and Paul Kirk
Too Soon a Memory: A Guide for Parents Suffering a Miscarriage, Pat Schwiebert and Taylor Bills
When Hello Means Goodbye, Pat Schwiebert and Paul Kirk
Books for Siblings
My Sibling Still: For Those Who’ve Lost a Sibling to Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant Death, Megan Lacourrege
Sad Isn’t Bad: A Good-Grief Guidebook for Kids Dealing with Loss, Michaelene Mundy
Something Happened: A Book for Children and Parents Who Have Experienced Pregnancy Loss, Cathy Blanford
The Invisible String, Patrice Karst
For more information on how to support siblings through a loss, visit Carilionclinic.org/grief or contact a Carilion Clinic Child Life Specialist at 540-981-8099.
Events
Forget-Me-Not Seed Planting Ceremony
Thursday, July 13 from 6 - 7 p.m.
Keeley Healing Garden (on the Roanoke River Greenway closest to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital)
This event is open to anyone who works with perinatal/infant loss or who has personally experienced this type of loss. It’s a time to grieve, a time to comfort, and a time to acknowledge how these losses have touched our lives. Gather as we plant Forget-Me-Not seeds along the riverbank of the Keeley Healing Garden. Seeds will be provided. The ceremony will include words from one of our inpatient chaplains, music, and a time of reflection.
No registration is required. If you would like more information, call 540-853-0007.
Walk to Remember
A perinatal/infant loss remembrance event. For more information, call 800-422-8482.
New River Valley
October 6, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
Carilion New River Valley Medical Center Memorial Garden
2900 Lamb Circle
Christiansburg, VA 24073
We will meet at the pond outside of the hospital cafeteria for a brief message from our chaplain. Following a walk to our Memorial Garden for a moment of silence, we will move indoors for light refreshments and a craft project.
Roanoke
October 13, 2024 from 3 to 5 p.m.
Green Hill Park, Shelter 1
2501 Parkside Drive, Salem, VA 24153
It’s said that grieving is not about forgetting, but remembering. Join us for a time of reflection to include walks along the waterway, stone painting, jewelry making and more. Carilion Clinic’s artists in residence will be on hand to provide live music and a poetry writing station. You’re welcome to bring a picture or ultrasound photo of your baby to attach to a string memorial. This event is free, but registration is required.
Call 800-422-8482.