How the Pregnancy After Loss Collaborative Center supports families

Becoming pregnant after a loss can bring many emotions at once. You may feel hopeful about the future while also carrying grief, anxiety or fear. These feelings are normal, and you don’t have to go through them alone.

The Pregnancy After Loss Collaborative Center provides compassionate, specialized care for individuals and families experiencing a pregnancy after loss. Nationally certified by the U.S. Pregnancy After Loss Network, our team is dedicated to helping prevent future pregnancy complications while supporting your emotional well-being throughout your journey.

Our specialists work together to provide coordinated care tailored to your needs. Through partnerships with Behavioral Health, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Complex Family Planning, Social Work, Internal Medicine, and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, we offer support before, during and after pregnancy. We also offer preconception care if you’ve experienced recurrent pregnancy loss or complications during past pregnancies.

Navigating a rainbow pregnancy

A pregnancy after a loss is often called a “rainbow pregnancy” because it can represent hope after a difficult experience. While this time can be joyful, it can also bring worry and fear. We provide a safe and supportive environment where you can receive personalized care, connect with others who understand your experience and access services that support both your physical and emotional health.

Services may include:

Emotional support

  • Trauma-informed care
  • Peer support at every visit
  • Behavioral Health services
  • Pregnancy and infant loss support groups
  • Referrals to community resources

Pregnancy care

  • Prenatal visits
  • Bedside ultrasounds
  • Monitoring for pregnancy complications
  • Care coordination across specialties

Wellness services

  • Massage therapy
  • Relaxation webinars
  • Weekly meditation services
  • Stress management and self-care resources

Coping with hypervigilance, depression and anxiety

It’s common to feel more alert, worried or anxious during a pregnancy after loss. You may find yourself constantly monitoring symptoms, fearing something could go wrong or struggling to relax between appointments. This heightened state of awareness is called hypervigilance. Our team can help you develop healthy coping strategies, manage anxiety and build confidence throughout your pregnancy and postpartum period.

Helpful coping strategies may include:

  • Mindfulness and meditation
  • Tracking milestones and celebrating small victories
  • Deep breathing and relaxation exercises
  • Keeping a journal to express thoughts and feelings
  • Joining a support group for people who have experienced pregnancy loss
  • Limiting exposure to social media or information that increases stress
  • Maintaining healthy routines, including regular sleep, movement and nutrition

Postpartum support

We also provide ongoing postpartum support to help you adjust to life with your new baby and care for your emotional well-being. Support may include:

  • Postpartum mood and anxiety disorder screening
  • Behavioral Health counseling and therapy services
  • Support groups and peer connections
  • Education on emotional recovery, bonding and self-care
  • Care coordination with your obstetric, primary care and pediatric providers

How to access Pregnancy After Loss services

You can access the Pregnancy After Loss Collaborative Center’s services through:

  • Inpatient admission
  • Postpartum or bereavement care
  • A referral from your health care provider

After reviewing your medical history, a member of our Pregnancy After Loss team will meet with you to learn about your needs and goals. Together, we’ll develop a personalized care plan that connects you with the services and support that are right for you.

Meet Our Team

Pregnancy After Loss Collaborative Center

Serena S. Wu, MD
4.9 out of 5

Serena S. Wu, MD

Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Location(s)
Penn State Health Lime Spring Outpatient Center
Penn State Health Obstetrics and Gynecology
Penn State Health Pediatric Specialties
717-531-7373

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get pregnant after a loss (also known as miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death)?

After experiencing a loss, you’ll need time to grieve and heal physically. Our clinic is here to support you and to help you decide if and when you feel ready to have another pregnancy. This prepregnancy care will ensure that your overall health is optimized and a specialized plan is in place for caring for you throughout your next pregnancy.

What’s a “rainbow baby”?

A “rainbow baby” is a baby born to those who have had a loss of a child in the past. These babies represent light, hope and joy following the grief and trauma of a loss.

How do I find a pregnancy after loss support group near me?

While our clinic can support you after a loss and through another pregnancy after loss, additional resources exist, such as support groups. Having these resources at your disposal helps you to process and cope with your grief, anxieties and stress. Below please find a list of grief and loss support groups: