Resources.
"I didn't call because I didn't know what to say..."
"I would've sent something, but I didn't want to send the wrong thing..."
"I didn't walk over and hug her because I didn't want to make her uncomfortable..."
How to Support Your Friend or Loved One...
Birth- Help Create Memories
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Offer to purchase her birth pictures or be the photographer if you're close enough
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Baby Look-alike Doll (for after birth so the gender, color hair, etc. is known)
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*Tip* Send the nurse's station a gift basket - they will take better care of your loved ones!
Practical Support
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Coordinate a Meal Train or Take Them a Meal
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Offer to clean their house/do laundry during pregnancy or postpartum
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Offer to watch the older children so the parents can go talk about life, go on a date, go to counseling, or to a prenatal appointment alone.
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Say you're sending over some food & that you'll leave it on the front porch (less pressure).
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Offer to support her by cleaning the house/doing dishes/laundry if that feels ok to her. Tell her that there's no pressure to even come out of the bedroom.
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Get some friends/church ladies together and go in on 4 weekly massages.
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Offer to take the kids for the today, so she can rest.
What To Say... What To Do...
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Yes it's ok to call... If she doesn't answer, leave a lovely voicemail sharing your condolences.
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Send a simple text. Not once, but every week or two, for a 3 months
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"Thinking about you today friend..."
OR
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"I'm praying for your sweet heart..."
OR
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"I'm here when you're ready to talk...Is today a good day?"
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Offer to bring her over some tea and hear all about your beautiful birth... and anything else she's ready to talk about.
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Offer to come run her a lovely hot bath. Bring some essential oils, offer to add to the tub. Make her some tea & set beside the tub for her.