Losing a pregnancy or newborn is a grievous experience. Today the perinatal death rate in the U.S.-which refers to fetuses 20 weeks old through babies 4 weeks old-is about 14 per 1,000 births. Many more children die earlier in pregnancy and later in childhood. In Parenthood Lost, Dr. Michael Berman shares his insights from his experiences helping parents deal with their grief and unravels the confusing genetic and medical causes of miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death. Through original poetry, firsthand stories told by parents, and articles describing genetic and medical disorders, Parenthood Lost offers clarification and hope for parents who have suffered this tragedy.

Dr. Berman includes a section on the most common reasons for perinatal losses, with detailed medical information written by practicing obstetricians, and a helpful glossary of terms.

"Many people will read this valuable book, and I hope large numbers of physicians will be among them. In this day of distancing, clinical detachment, and biomedical therapeutics, our profession needs guides to lead us back to the essential humanity with which we should practice our Art. There can be no better guide than a man who, faced with the anguish of a distraught mother and father, can bring them the consolation and the hope that [this book] expresses." -- From the foreword by Sherwin B. Nuland, Author of National Book Award winner How We Die "Michael Berman, in his remarkable book Parenthood Lost, is a modern Virgil in word and deed as he guides the reader through the wrenching anguish of miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death. These stories of parents' losses are filled with silent grief over thwarted outcomes of pregnancy. The language of love and caring in the poetry of Doctor Berman and in the remarkable words of nurses and other health professionals helps rescue families from the depths and devastation of infant loss. This book describes a tragic journey redeemed by hope and human spirit--parenthood lost but grace sustained. A splendid and valuable book for professionals and lay people alike." -- Thomas P. Duffy, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Director, Program for Humanities in Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine "With a blend of story, poetry and medical expertise, Michael Berman has crafted a unique book on a hitherto under-examined topic, the pain after losing a child by stillbirth, infant death and miscarriage. It is bound to be of use to those afflicted and to those who try to heal them." -- Richard Selzer, Surgeon/Writer, Author of The Doctor Stories

About the Author

MICHAEL R. BERMAN, M.D., FACOG is Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine and attending physician, Yale-New Haven Hospital./e He is currently the President of the Yale-New Haven Physician Hospital Organization. A graduate of New York Medical College, Dr. Berman is the founder and editor of Hygeia (www.hygeia.org), a Web site devoted to alleviating the angst of a pregnancy loss or death of a child. He also administers the Hygeia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring medically indigent and underserved populations, nationally and internationally, interactive information on maternal and child health. Dr. Berman practices obstetrics and gynecology in New Haven and lives in Woodbridge, Connecticut with his wife and two daughters.

Book Information
ISBN 9780313360930
Author Michael R. Berman
Format Paperback
Page Count 272
Imprint Praeger Publishers Inc
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing Plc