Many parents think of the baby book as a place to store their earliest memories of their child, allowing them to create a timeless treasure that they can go back to for the rest of their lives.
But no such thing exists for those who experience pregnancy loss, which means they have no resource to turn to for solace or commemoration.
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Miscarriage is very common.
According to the Mayo Clinic, 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, although that number could be higher since many occur so early in pregnancy that women don’t even realize they’re pregnant.
This is why Minnesota writer Margaret Scofield was surprised to find there were no baby books available for people who’ve experienced pregnancy and infant loss.
“I wanted to send her some form of comfort.”
Upon learning that her friend had experienced a miscarriage at 10 weeks, Margaret wanted to do something for her. That’s when she discovered that there were no baby books for women in her position.
“I assumed there would be options for the one in four women who miscarry,” she said to Today Parents . “I just resolved that I would write the book because I couldn’t find one.”
She worked with doctors and non-profits to write the book, and it includes resources for grieving parents.
Much like a traditional baby book, ‘I Love You Still: A memorial baby book,’ includes pages where parents can fill in their earliest memories of their pregnancy, but it also has pages designed for recording emotions and events surrounding miscarriage, stillbirth or newborn loss.
She has been overwhelmed with demand for the book.
Since she created the book, she has been overwhelmed with demand for it and says she has mailed copies to at least 17 different countries.
Margaret, who self-publishes the book and has used money from her personal savings to keep creating them, is hoping to find a publisher.
“Truly this is an absolute labor of love.”
