2003 GRACE Conference

The January 21, 2003 UCA 2002 (Umbilical Cord Accidents) lectures were well attended and proved to be quite beneficial.

We had 85 Drs, RNs, Radiologists, & Techs attend the 3 lectures held at Unity & Mercy Hospitals, and at the Hutchinson Event Center for staff from the Hutchinson Medical Center.

Dr. Collins gave his hour presentation at each hospital. The objectives of the lecture were as follows:
1. To recognize umbilical cord accidents as a fetal risk factor.
2. To recognize clinical signs of umbilical cord compression.
3. To be aware of the advances of Ultrasound in identifying UCA.
4 To be aware of the possible management of UCA.
5. To be able to apply fetal heart rate monitoring to UCA management.

In the evening at Woodland Hills Church, we had the conference: Understanding, Knowing & Growing Through Pregnancy & Loss.

We had the privilege of an open forum with Dr. Collins providing answers to the questions of all those in attendance. Those present were at all stages of grief, from grieving the loss of 1 miscarried baby to the loss of 12 miscarried babies by 1 couple. There were mothers and couples who had recently lost a their babies to stillbirth: 20 weeks, 32 weeks, 36 weeks, one at 39 weeks. Attendees gave feedback that the resources provided have been key in their healing and working through difficult parts of their grieving process.

Our panel of speakers did a wonderful job. Topics discussed by panelists:
*Going through 5 miscarriages and then losing a child to SIDS: How they coped, what really goes on behind closed doors, how it is common to suffer in silence.
*How 15 years later you still miss and long for your baby.
*Ways to cope in the here an now.
*Finding hope and healing through adoption.
*Infertility and the cycle or heartache and hope.
*Miscarriage, feeling misunderstood and alone.
*Finding ways to honor and parent your baby after they are gone.
*A father’s perspective: Grieving a stillborn baby, staying strong for your wife, stuffing your pain and diving into work and other things to deal with the pain inside.
*Fearing for your wife’s life as depression seems to engulf her and separate you in your marriage.
*Fear of subsequent pregnancy.
*Once there is a loss, the innocence of a carefree pregnancy is lost.

The evening was ended with a special remembrance time, which included special music, and parents lighting candles for every baby they had lost. At the end of the evening each person took home the candles they had lit.