ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the experiences of women who have lost a child to death. Thirteen women participated in this qualitative study and described the circumstances of their devastating loss. The ages of the children who died ranged from newborn infants to young adults to middle-aged adults. Seven themes were uncovered from content analysis of the data derived from the women’s stories. The themes were (1) unanticipated and anticipated loss; (2) when I lost my child, I lost part of myself; (3) picking up the pieces of my life; (4) support, kindness, and compassion helped; (5) moving on while still broken; (6) never forgotten, always in my heart; and (7) holding my loved ones close.
