The WiSSP Resource Library

 Wisconsin Stillbirth Service Program

AUDIO/VIDEO TAPES

1.  Life and Death Before Birth: Evaluation of the Stillborn by Richard M. Pauli, MD, PhD, et al for the Wisconsin Stillbirth Service Program (WiSSP), 1994.

   A series of 5 videotapes (approximately 20 minutes each) targeted to nursing personnel, obstetricians, family practitioners and others who constitute the "front line" of care for families experiencing stillbirth.

This video series is NOT INTENDED for, nor is it appropriate for, families or lay people. The series includes the following:

    I. Parental Needs Following Intrauterine Death

   II. Etiologic Assessment of the Stillborn -- Introduction, Justification and Overview

  III. Etiologic Assessment of the Stillborn--Practical Guide to Fetal Evaluation

   IV. Results and Outcomes of Etiologic Assessment of Stillborn Infants

    V. Case Studies of Fetal Causes of Intrauterine Death.

2.  Thumpy's Story: A story of love and grief shared by Thumpy, the Bunny, The Doodle-Bug People, Prairie Lark Press, 1984.

   Thumpy's story is a 12 minute animated video narrated by Nancy Dodge as Thumpy.  Appropriate for young children, the story explores the thoughts and emotions of a bunny at the death of his sister. The video is accompanied by an illustrated pamphlet and workbook. Each member of the rabbit family copes in a different way but all benefit from talking with each other. Thumpy's story sensitively addresses the death of a loved one from a child's point of view and helps encourage them to share their feelings and assures them that their feelings are normal.

3.  Empty Arms "Reaching Out to You", by Sherokee Ilse; Pregnancy and Infant Loss Center of MN.

   This videotape is directed toward parents who have recently suffered a pregnancy loss.  It focuses on the experience of other parents who have suffered loss.  Topics such as the decisions parents may be faced with, feelings during ensuing weeks, ways that family and friends can help, and recovery are addressed. Very appropriate for parents during the first few days following a stillbirth. Technical quality of tape may interfere with effectiveness.

4.  Empty Arms - A Tribute to Jacob, with Jack M. Stack, M.D. and Kim M. Barnes.

   This videotape discusses the stillbirth experience from both the parents' and the physician's perspective. Topics covered include: the stillbirth (from diagnosis through delivery), the responses of both parent and medical caregiver, the mourning process and the issue of becoming pregnant again. Also discussed are methods for caregivers to effectively assist families and themselves during this difficult period. This videotape is most appropriate for increasing professionals' awareness and understanding of the stillbirth experience.

5.  "Broken Lives, Broken Dreams: The Family's Struggle to Recover", 1987 National Perinatal Bereavement Conference listing of available audiotapes.

1) Fathers and Perinatal Death - Steven Merrill, RN, MSN

2) Burial Rites:If It's Mentionable, It's Manageable-William C. Wagner, Funeral Director.

3) Lyme Disease and Perinatal Death - A. MacDonald, MD.

4) Adolescent Parent and Grief - Charme Davidson, Ph.D., Sara R. Wheeler, MSN, RN.

5) Love Is the Best We Can Do - Closing keynote address, David K. Meagher, EdD.

6) Bereaved Parent Panel.

7) How Do We Tell the Children - Dan Schaeffer, Author.

8)  The Morning After - Opening keynote address, Elizabeth Kirkley Best,Ph.D

9)  Alcohol and Bereavement:  A Dangerous Trap, Susan Sheehan, MS, CAC

10) Genetic Counseling for the Bereaved Family - Judith Benkendorf, MS

11) Subsequent Pregnancy - Pat Schwiebert, RN

12) Care for the Caregiver - Rosalie D. Marinelle

13) Impact of Perinatal Loss on the Extended Family - Barbara J. Goldberg, Ph.D.

14) Cross Cultural Bereavement - James D. Shinn, MSW

15) Causes and Management of Multiple Pregnancy Loss - Abraham Halfen, MD

16) Anticipatory Grieving: When the Baby Doesn't Die - Peggy Brahn, RN, MSW

17) Complicated Grief - Betty Moskowitz, MS

18) Creating Memories for Bereaved Parents -Connie B. Furrh, RN, Rodney J. Copley, RN, MS

19) Initiating a Parent Support Group - P. Bruhn RN CSW, B. Cataldo CSW, D. Chon MS, L.

        Seewald, I. Kohn CSW

6.  After Loss: The Journey of the Next Pregnancy, J.M. O’Leary and Clare Thorwick Script writers (Video 1995).  Available for rental or purchase through Abbott Northwestern  Parent Education Program, Minneapolis, MN.  (612) 863-5964.  (Also available through U.W. Hospitals Health Science Library; see below)

7.  The following videos are available through University of Wisconsin Hospitals Health Science Library in Madison, WI. Contact the WiSSP office for borrowing guidelines.

    (VC 1107) "After Loss: The Journey of the Next Pregnancy"

    J.M. O’Leary and Clare Thorwick Script writers (Video 1995). Intended for both health care providers and parents; parents will benefit from the reinforcement that they are not alone as they listen to other parents share their stories, fears and anxieties, griefs and joys.  (32 minutes)

    (VC 1108) "Labor and Birth: Rebuilding Trust"

    Videotape by Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Pregnancy After Loss Program, Minneapolis, Minnesota (1995). Intended for both health care providers and parents; emphasizes three different activities:  emotional support, prenatal care, and a birth plan.  This videotape is exceptionally culturally sensitive as well.  (18 minutes)

    (VC 996) "Care for the Caregivers: Coping with Perinatal Death"

    A unique resource, this video discusses caring for health care professionals - including medical and nursing staff, social workers, clergy and all hospital personnel who come in contact with the dying patient and their family - and available options for coping with perinatal death. (15 minutes)

(VC 1000) "Some Babies Die"

    An intense and emotionally powerful documentary of how a bereaved family can be helped to cope with stillbirth and neonatal death. The experience of a family whose baby died as a result of a congenital defect and who were encouraged to create memories of their baby is contrasted with a young woman who had 3 stillborn children, one of whom was taken away unseen and buried in a common, unmarked grave. This video should be required viewing for anyone who interacts with bereaved parents.    (54 minutes)

(VC 998) "Memories"

    Presents 9 situations involving bereaved parents. Its purpose is to help viewers understand mourning parents' experiences with family, friends, health care personnel, and others. It explains the hospital staff's responsibility in assisting bereaved parents, parents' needs and feelings and presents information to help parents through the bereavement period. (26 minutes)

(VC 999) "Alive Again"

    Documents the mourning process of one couple, Cindy and Ed, who have lost two children. Through interviews with both the wife and husband, viewers see the obstacles this couple faced as they attempted to come to grips with the death of their child. The tape also shows how that experience helped them to cope when another child was stillborn. (30 minutes)

(VC 1035) "Still to be Born"

    Presents parents discussing their feelings about dealing with the death of a newborn and then the subsequent pregnancy. It also discusses the strides made in understanding the grieving process, and the psychological aspects affecting the decision to have another baby. (30 minutes)