I am a mother of four children; two of whom were live births. What I can tell you about pregnancy loss, beyond the statistics, is that it is life-changing in so many ways. I think we never quite realize how impactful pregnancy can be to our entire being, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and in every other way imaginable. One of the many challenges with pregnancy loss, at any stage, is that others who have not experienced a loss forget their own experiences of bonding with baby during pregnancy that were so pivotal for them, and somehow believe that the absence of a live birth erases the existence and importance of so many of those unforgettable moments. Continue Reading.
This is an excerpt from my guest post “Words Unspoken: Grieving and Navigating Pregnancy After Loss is Complicated” featured on Pregnancy After Loss Support.
Reflections of a Black Therapist Who Has Experienced Perinatal Loss
Navigating the unique path of being a Black therapist supporting other parents through their journey of perinatal loss [...]
Black, Christian, and Depressed
Many people suffer from depression in silence. Some do not understand that what they are experiencing is depression; [...]
Mental Health Two Years Into the COVID-19 Pandemic
We made it. We survived the first grueling years of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are turning a corner, [...]
Healing From Birth Trauma
Commonly, trauma is defined as the emotional and physiological response to an actual or perceived threat. The threat [...]
Postpartum Doulas Support Maternal Mental Health
Research suggests that doulas play an essential role in improving maternal health outcomes, especially for Black, Indigenous and [...]
Grieving and Navigating Pregnancy After Loss
I am a mother of four children; two of whom were live births. What I can tell you [...]
Postpartum Depression is Real
Postpartum depression is real. Recent data suggests that 1 in 7 U.S. women experience clinical depressive symptoms during [...]
Listening With a Careful Ear
If we are not careful, we may miss valuable opportunities to teach our children and to learn from [...]
Pregnant with Promise
A Spiritual Journey of Pregnancy, Bed Rest, and Childbirth
Editorial Review: This book was a blessing. The author addressed the topics with grace, sensitivity, and heart to reach the reader through the voice of the Holy Spirit. Christian Fiction Reader Blog
Order on AmazonWORKS OF FAITH WELLNESS AND CONSULTATION, LLC
Dorienna M. Alfred, Ph.D. is the owner and clinical director of Works of Faith Wellness and Consultation, LLC, a behavioral health practice centered on the needs of those who are pregnant or postpartum, and those who have experienced pregnancy loss. She is a licensed psychologist in the state of Ohio with a specialization in health psychology and she is a certified perinatal mental health provider. She is also the author of the book Pregnant With Promise: A Spiritual Journey of Pregnancy, Bedrest and Childbirth.