Understanding Grief After the Death of a Baby | Episode 087 with Libby Marler, The Counseling Collective
Episode 87
If you have experienced the loss of a baby or know and love someone who has experienced the loss of a baby this episode is an absolute must-listen. Libby Marler of The Counseling Collective is my guest this week; she is a trained counselor who specializes in women’s issues including maternal mental health, parenting, grief and loss, as well as anxiety issues. Libby became passionate about providing counseling and support for women after she navigated the death of her own daughter due to a life-limiting diagnosis.
In this episode Libby shares with us a general overview of what someone who has experienced the loss of a baby can expect in regards to grief. For many of us, the loss of our baby was the first time we have experienced a significant loss close to us, we are unfamiliar with the grieving process and we are trying to discern what’s normal, what isn’t, what is expected of us, when should we seek outside help -- basically all the things and in this episode Libby breaks it all down for us. She shares invaluable expertise regarding baby loss and grief, including helpful steps to take to process through your grief in a way that is not burdensome or weighty but instead, very freeing.
If you have ever wondered if what you are feeling and thinking amidst grief is normal or if you have ever asked yourself ‘Am I showing enough emotion? Am I showing too much emotion?’ or ‘Shouldn’t I be farther along by now?” this episode is for you. Libby offers wisdom that I am sure will encourage you in your grief today.
I created a helpful guide called Understanding Grief to go along this episode that breaks down much of what Libby talked about in today’s episode. This guide includes an explanation of bereavement trauma, aspects of trauma in regards to baby loss, what are normal feelings of grief, what are normal physical responses to grief, ways to process your loss, thoughts about when to seek professional help and several helpful journal prompts.
I think this guide will be incredibly helpful to you in your grief journey.
understanding grief
A SIMPLE RESOURCE THAT WILL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE GRIEF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING, LEARN WHAT IS NORMAL IN GRIEF, LEARN HEALTHY WAYS TO PROCESS YOUR GRIEF AND BEGIN HEALING.
Questions We Answer (or try to answer) During This Episode
What is Traumatic Bereavement
Is Traumatic Bereavement applicable to all types of baby loss, such as an early miscarriage or stillbirth, a life-limiting diagnosis or infant loss?
What are some of the aspects of trauma when the death of a baby occurs?
What are normal and common feelings of grief?
What is normal in grief; what can a grieving woman expect after the loss of a baby in regards to her emotions?
What steps would you encourage a grieving mom to take in order to process her grief?
What are some signs that professional help should be considered?
What is grief and what is something more?
How would you recommend a mom listening seek out professional help?
MEET Libby
Hi, I’m Libby!
After personally navigating the death of my daughter due to a life-limiting diagnosis, I became passionate about providing counseling and support for women who are experiencing big life transitions, particularly the unique and difficult challenges of transitioning to motherhood. I specialize in women’s issues including maternal mental health, parenting, grief and loss, as well as anxiety issues. I also counsel teenage girls who struggling with various life issues.
Get connected with Libby at The Counseling Collective.
Download your understanding grief guide
The Joyful Mourning Community.
A place to feel known and understood. A place to feel not alone.
A place where you can talk about hard things like this very topic of marriage after losing a baby.
If you are looking for women who understand what you are going through, come join us by clicking the button below.