Caring for Mama Bear

When mamas first learn of their diagnosis, there can be so few resources available at the medical office that provide hope. Mama Bear Care exists to help change these stories by providing real help and valuable resources.

CONNECTION: A mama bear may first connect with us through our website or by joining our prenatal support group, From Diagnosis to Delivery. Either way, the next step is for our Mama Bear Care Coordinator, Kathryn Kerr, to reach out to them to see where they are in their journey. After mama bears fill out our intake form, we send out the first package in our Hope Box series, our Faith Box. This special bundle includes gifts and resources to help mama bear during the pregnancy phase of her journey with a prenatal diagnosis.

RESOURCES: Our prenatal support group connects mama bears to one another as they progress through their pregnancy. In addition, our Mama Bear Care Coordinator walks mamas through birth planning, medical appointments, and connections specific to the family’s needs. Our special pregnancy journal and From Diagnosis to Delivery guidebook give practical, tangible help to mama bears navigating their pregnancy with a prenatal diagnosis.

COUNSELING: All mama bears in our network have access to counseling available at no charge. Our amazing counselors, Allen and Patricia Cooke, provide group, marriage, and individual counseling sessions throughout their pregnancy, the care of their infant, and during times of bereavement.

HOPE BOXES: Once our mamas give birth, we send out a second care package, either the Hope Box or our Love Box. The Hope Box is a NICU care package after babies are born and need some extra tender care. The Love Box provides items of remembrance and grief resources to help a mama during bereavement.

MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE: For those walking through the care of an infant with medical complexities, our Mama Bear Care Coordinator provides continuing care with her extensive knowledge as a NICU nurse. Our main community group also includes mothers who are raising babies and children with genetic anomalies, yet often surprise doctors by their strength and resilience. Every baby has a different story!

SUPPORT: For those walking through bereavement, we provide the From Heartache to Hope community group for mamas who have experienced the loss of an infant to have a safe space to discuss their loss and experiences and connect with our counselors.

IN CONCLUSION: “What we do” is walk with mama bears who receive a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis for their babies, providing community, Hope Boxes, Mama Bear Care Coordinator support, counseling, resources, and encouragement throughout the process of pregnancy, medical caregiving, and bereavement.

We provide all of our services at zero cost to mama bears. We rely on tax-deductible donations to our nonprofit to cover the costs of the gifts, resources, and valuable personal services for these families. Join the Mama Bear Movement as a monthly partner and help us change these stories from heartache to hope!