What Mama Bears Need

August 27, 2025

When we think of a mama bear, we often think that they are so amazingly independent and fierce. And they are! However, even mama bears need support. What do mama bears need?

What Mama Bears Need –> Unending Support

We live in a society that is uncomfortable with doing “hard.” When we hear of a family in church who receives a cancer diagnosis for a family member, instead of seeking out that family in their need, too often we let the uncomfortable feeling drive us away. We say to ourselves: “We don’t know what to do.” “We are afraid of saying something wrong.” We rationalize that they need their space to deal with this situation. “We really weren’t that close to them anyway, I’m sure they want ‘somebody else.'”

What happens when somebody else never comes?

This is the same thing that parents who receive a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis experience. Sometimes those around them freeze into ice cubes, when our dear mama bear needs someone to thaw fast and be an avid supporter to her during her pregnancy. We have too many ice cubes and not enough glasses of water.

Be the one that decides that it doesn’t matter if you don’t know what to do or even if you say something wrong. Realize that while they may need some space, you can be the person who meets them where they are at in the space available to meet their needs, provide support, and you can be the “somebody else” that MATTERS.

What Mama Bears Need –> Celebration of Life

When mama bear first receives her diagnosis, it is so easy for her, her family members, and those around her to focus only on the bad news. A prenatal diagnosis can bring such grief! However, our mamas need someone around her to help her celebrate the life that she has within her.

How can you help her celebrate her baby’s life in the present? How can you recognize how precious this baby is and minister to mama at the same time? Ask mama before you do something large, but many mamas would appreciate an advocate for celebration even in the midst of the pain.

Joy can be found even in the midst of suffering.

Mama Bear Needs –> Prayer

At Mama Bear Care, we know that the most important gift of support comes from the Holy Spirit, our comforter. When we pray for a mama bear with a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis, we ask Jesus to send his Holy Spirit to this mama to be her strength, to be her comfort, and to carry her through this time.

Grief is a lonely place. It can be hard to remember that others care, and it can be easy to forget that God truly loves us when all we see is suffering. As you pray, ask God to break through the pain this mama is experiencing to provide the peace that only God can bring.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! – Psalm 34:8

Caveat: Please do not quote God’s word toward mamas who are grieving to push change. Some of the most unkind words come from Christians who can’t deal with another Christian’s suffering. Hearing that God is sovereign and that this must be God’s will is not comforting – it’s dismissive. Hearing that God doesn’t want them to keep grieving isn’t biblical. God meets them in their grief. Hearing that “God gives and He takes away” feels dismissive. Ask yourself what goal you have in sharing a verse before you share. Is it helpful and kind and timely? Or will it create more hurt?

Mama Bear Needs –> Physical Needs

As a mama faces a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis for her baby, she may find herself with physical needs. She may have a hard time taking care of her house, preparing meals, grocery shopping, or performing any other normal activities. Whether it’s the physical demands of the pregnancy or the physical and emotional demands of grief, she may need some help.

If you are a close friend and see a need, ask her when you can come over to do x, y, z. Schedule when rather than asking “if” she needs help. That being said, each mama is different, give all mama’s space to refuse, but don’t give up. Be sure to let mama know that you’ll ask again soon, as you are more than willing to help.

Ask mama if you can schedule meals if if seems appropriate. Be sure to ask about dietary needs and restrictions.

After baby is delivered, mama may have more needs. Check on her after birth, then monthly. Regardless the situation, needs don’t disappear, and sometimes a few months from delivery there will be new needs. Whether she’s carrying for a baby with medical needs or dealing with grief, she carries this with her for the upcoming future and needs support.

What else?

No list could be perfectly complete as each mama bear’s needs are unique to her situation, her personality, and her life. Be the person who invests in her beautiful, unique life.

Mama Bear Care Is Meeting Needs!

We love investing in our Mama Bears! At Mama Bear Care, we see our mamas and seek to meet their needs in our Mama Bear Community. We have a Mama Bear Care Coordinator, Mama Bear Care Counselors, and Hope Boxes to send to each mama.

If you love what we are doing here and want to join us in meeting needs, please consider becoming a Mama Bear Supporter!

We have four levels of support:

Will you join us as we empower women who have received a prenatal diagnosis to embrace their Mama Bear role, equipping them to advocate for their special babies with fierce love and tender care?

Brooke Shambley

Social Media for Mama Bear Care