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Updated 23 March 2018Losing a child is something no parent should ever have to go through. There are technical names for the losses depending on when they occurred, however, the result is the same: the baby is gone.
Many women suffer from miscarriages and some do not even know they were pregnant. A baby is usually considered stillborn if the loss happens after 20 weeks and if it happens before then it's considered a miscarriage. A very early miscarriage (before 5 weeks) is usually considered a chemical pregnancy. Neonatal death is when a baby dies within the first 28 days of life. Infant death is between 28-364 days.
Time legally allowed off work
This is from Live in Korea.
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What to do
There are places to seek out help and talk to people who have been through the same experience, trained volunteers, as well as professional counselors and social workers. There are also a number of books written on this topic.
Depending on how old the baby was, many families find that photos or memory boxes (here's a list of what you can add to your memory box) can be very comforting. Others create certificates of life for their child that they lost in utero, such as the ones available at Bears of Hope, Grief Watch, and Memorial for the Unborn.
Support in Korea, both online and in person
- KISS: Korean Infertility Support System: sadly fertility treatments can increase the likelihood of miscarriage.
- Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep: photographers who capture infant loss. Although none are listed on their website for Korea, you can find photographers willing to volunteer their services in Korea here.
- Pregnancy Loss in Korea: a small, but close-knit group.
Online Support in Korea (these do not deal with loss specifically)
- Postpartum Depression Support in Korea
- Pregnant Army Wives in South Korea
- Pregnant in Korea
- Pregnant in Osan
Counselors and Social Workers in Korea
- Adaptable Human Services (AHS): Seoul. 02-749-7419. Counselors and social workers who speak English and Korean. Some have been trained and licensed abroad. Fees are rather high.
- International Family Counseling Center (IFCC) is located in Yongsan.
- International Psychology Center is located in Seoul and is a university-affiliated psychology clinic.
- Therapy in Korea is located near Hanti station.
- Torch Trinity Christian Counseling Center: Seoul and online. 02-570-7115. Counselors who are pursuing masters and doctorates. Fees depend on how far they are along in their studies. They do have free services. They will not push religion on you.
Online support, not specifically for Korea
- 7 cups of tea: Worldwide. There are people you can talk to online It's free, anonymous, and confidential to talk to trained volunteer listeners.
- Baby Angel Pics
- Bereavement Seminar
- Hope Mommies: A religious support group. They also have a Facebook page.
- Miscarriage and Loss
- Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss
- Pregnancy After a Loss
- StillBirthDay: Support prior to, during, or after any loss. They also offer a bereavement certification so you can help other parents.
Tender Embrace Birthing offers childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care classes and support.
Folic acid is to folate as pitocin is to oxytocin. The former is the synthetic form and the latter is the natural form.
Updated 8 May 2017
I've written about maternity leave and paternity leave before. There is also optional leave that either parent can take. Here's what the laws say about