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

★★★★★

It is with a heavy heart that I had to read such a book to begin with and I can only hope that it is something that you will never have to read yourself.

I received this book at the hospital from a wonderful non-profit foundation that serves part of Colorado called A Walk to Remember. It took me some time to look at the book, let alone read it – but I am glad I did. The loss of my son at nearly 23 weeks of pregnancy was the most heart-wrenching, painful time of my life and one I hope I never have to go through again. Holding him in my arms and watching him take his last breath is one of many moments I will never forget. Nor do I ever want to forget such moments and this book lets you know that that’s ok. Your child’s life, whether ended through a miscarriage early on, stillbirth, or shortly after birth, is one to be remembered and celebrated.

This book is a good overview of the many emotions one feels at such a time and how to deal with it, how others will help (or hinder) in the process, the long emotional healing (year in many cases), physical healing, subsequent pregnancies, healthcare, and much more. While the author points out that it’s ok to skip around as it may not all pertain to one person, I found myself reading every single page (that’s a lie – I skipped over the one part on how to handle your living children during your current loss – something I don’t have to deal with). There were quotes from other parents throughout and I found them all very comforting – that feeling that others had gone through what I had to an extent (each story is different and none are exactly alike in the loss of a child) and not being alone. There was a lot of good information and resources that helped me and I plan to reread some parts as they relate more to me (such as trying for children later on) or just as a reminder.

As I said before – may you never ever have to read such a book. But if you do, this is a good one to pick up.
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"This gentle book fills a void often overlooked in today's high-tech world of miracle babies..." —Booklist