PERINATAL LOSS & INVOLUNTARY CHILDLESSNESS ALLIANCE

Every day of every week, every month of every year, a woman’s heart will shatter with the devastation of the loss of a baby, either through miscarriage, the complications of preterm delivery, stillbirth or the sudden death of an infant.

Sometimes this devastation derives from a pregnancy that does not eventuate, or from repeated attempts at IVF, or perhaps as a consequence of unexplained infertility and the anguish of the loss of one’s hopes and dreams and the promise of family.

In broaching the conversation on the impact this loss has on so many lives, we break the silence and challenge this stigma, throwing a lifeline to others who face similar heartache or challenge.

Mission Statement

Perinatal Loss & Involuntary Childlessness Alliance (PLICA for short) is dedicated to the many women (and their partners) who walk this troubled path. We recognise the very unique kind of loss experienced by those who have lost a baby or who are involuntarily childless. Through education and online resources, PLICA seeks to provide support for those who grieve as well as raise awareness in the broader community as to how best to support their loved ones, sisters or friends through this kind of loss.

About Our Emblem

The Perinatal Loss & Involuntary Childlessness Emblem combines the colours of the three Awareness Ribbons that signify the grief associated with perinatal loss and involuntary childlessness. These ribbons are the colours for Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness community, the Infertility Awareness community as well as the Childless Not By Choice community.

Please visit the Perinatal Loss & Involuntary Childlessness Alliance for more details. Click on the link below to take you to my PLICA Website.

Official PLICA Website

MEET OUR AMBASSADORS

PLICA is thrilled to have four incredible women as Ambassadors to champion the cause of those who grieve perinatal loss and involuntary childlessness. Each of these women bring to their Ambassadorial role personal experience of perinatal loss and/or involuntary childlessness, knowing intimately the enormous grief this experience elicits, as well having first hand experience of the possibility of healing and resilience forged through adversity. Jody, Brandi, Crystal and Janet bring a wealth of knowledge on this sensitive subject, as well as deep empathy for the heartbreaking journey our sisters find themselves on. Scroll down for links to take you directly to each Ambassador's website.

Jody Day

Jody Day is a global thought leader on female involuntary childlessness. She’s an author, social entrepreneur, integrative psychotherapist, TEDx speaker and the founder of Gateway Women, the global friendship and support network for childless women. Jody’s book, Living the Life Unexpected: 12 weeks to you Plan B for a Meaningful and Fulfilling future Without Children is a must-read for anyone seeking a ‘how to’ for building new life after loss.

For more about Jody and her work with Gateway Women, please click on link below.

Gateway Women

Crystal Webster

Crystal is the Founder of Sharing Solace, described as a Community of Grievers for Grievers. Crystal’s journey into grief begins with her discovery of being pregnant. Little did she and her husband realise the family they were thrilled to be preparing for was not the one they had expected. Her work in this space is a source of comfort and support for the many people who experience the grief of perinatal loss. Her forthcoming book, Confessions of a Griever: Turning a Hot Mess into a Haute Message (Laughable Lessons for When Life Just Sucks) charts Crystal's heartbreaking journey of Babyloss and is scheduled for release in mid 2020.

Find out about Sharing Solace and more on Crystals Journey. Simply click on the button below.

Sharing Solace

Brandi Lytle

After 10 years on the infertility rollercoaster, Brandi Lytle and her husband had a decision to make. They could either continue the ride on the emotional rollercoaster of infertility or find a different way to build a life together. Their decision led Brandi on a path of discovery, giving voice to her heartache and grief through blogging. A platform of choice for this Warrior, her blog is an ideal medium to share her journey with countless others who are also grieving involuntary childlessness.

To read Brandi’s blog and find out more about her work in the Childless Not By Choice community, click on the link to go direct to her blog.

Not So Mummy

Janet Ambrose

Australian artist and John Villiers Outback Prize finalist Janet Ambrose is no stranger to adversity, with a diagnosis of breast cancer amplifying the difficulties she experienced in being Childless Not By Choice. Yet through her struggle, and through her art, a spirit of resilience emerges that allows empathy and compassion for the difficulties experienced by women who are experiencing the grief of being without child.

For more about Janet and her exceptional art, please visit her website direct through the link below.

Janet Ambrose Design

Support Services

For Australian Residents - Red Nose Grief & Loss

If you or someone you know has experienced perinatal loss and requires support, help is available either online, by phone or in person through the Red Nose Organisation via the Red Nose Grief and Loss support services:

"Red Nose provides Bereavement Counselling free of charge to any person affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or child during pregnancy, birth, infancy or childhood. The counsellors at Red Nose understand that your expression and experience of grief is individual, and can tailor sessions to best meet your needs."

"Although grief is a natural, normal response to loss, there may be times when you feel stuck or are experiencing a traumatic response to your loss. It is at these times that you may need some extra support to help you come to terms with what has happened to you. No matter where you are at in your grief journey Red Nose qualified Bereavement Counsellors are available to support you by phone, face to face or virtually. To find out more or arrange to access Bereavement Counselling please call the Red Nose Bereavement Support Line on 1300 308 307."

To go directly to Red Nose Grief and Loss, please click on link below.

Red Nose Grief & Loss