Donna Murphy CBLD, CFLFA, APPL
Our Advocates for Parents of Perinatal Loss, Baby Loss Doulas, and Baby Loss Family Advisors
Donna Murphy has been a Certified Baby Loss Doula and Baby Loss Family Advisor through Loss Doulas International® since 2012. She has worked with many mothers and fathers preparing them for the birth of their baby who has died. She has experience in supporting mothers through stillbirth at a hospital, miscarriage at home or the hospital, and early infant loss of a baby with a poor prenatal diagnosis.
Donna recently developed a training program for women and men to become Advocates for Parents of Perinatal Loss (APPL’s) who can assist families in their community. See the APPL page on our website for more information and to sign up for the training.
Donna has also been instructed in the Resolve Through Sharing Program through the Gunderson Health System and has been trained as a Coordinator.
She is the co-founder and Executive Director of Heaven’s Gain Ministries, and she serves on the advisory board of Rachel’s Gift.
Donna has lost three babies at different stages of pregnancy and has been given a gift in helping families suffering the loss of a baby.
A Baby Loss Family Advisor or Advocate for Parents of Perinatal Loss (APPL) serves in these areas:
- Helps prepare you and your family for the baby’s birth
- Offers gentle support, guidance, and reassurance
- Assists in creating a birth preference plan factoring in knowledge of pros and cons
- Aids in memory making
- Guides and advocates for you
- Acts as a liaison with the medical community (in person only)
- Avails herself for advice before, during, and after the birth of your baby
- Connects you with additional support resources
Kim Kelly, CBLFA, APPL
Types of Support
(513) 607-6083 / (513) 619-0100
(513) 607-6083 / (513) 619-0100
Group support meetings are held virtually. These online meetings are private to the group only, so call to get the meeting ID and password (513) 619-0100. Currently virtual meetings are held monthly on the second Thursday, 7 pm EST for Pregnancy loss support and on the fourth Thursday, 7pm EST for Rainbow pregnancy support.
The term Rainbow pregnancy denotes the joy of a new baby after the storm of a pregnancy loss. Learn More
Ways to Receive Support
Heaven’s Gain Ministries
6962 Harrison Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45247
For longer, uninterrupted, support, it is always best to call for an appointment (513) 607-6083.
Donna: (513) 607-6083
Kim: (513) 619-0100
Email Support
Email your support questions to us:
A Baby Loss Family Advisor/Baby Loss Doula prepares you for the birth. (Learn more)
- Usually the hospital will make the room special so people know your baby is being born still, like wings on the door to your hospital room.
- Your preemie baby may look red because his/her skin may be so thin that you can see the blood under the skin.
- Your baby’s body may be fragile, requiring special care when handling the baby, especially prior to 32 weeks. We recommend the saline bath, using the vessel if the baby is less than 22 weeks gestation.
- The baby’s skin may be fragile and the top layer may rub off like skin from a sunburn.
- Ask the nurse or doctor to call your baby by name.
- You may want the nurse or doctor to hand you your baby in a blanket so you can open the blanket slowly and look at each beautiful feature of your baby.
- It is best to bring in a camera with a separate SD card. Having all of the pictures on a special SD card allows you to look at the pictures when you want and not when you are unprepared.
- Treasure the short time with your baby. Fill out a birth plan, as you may not remember everything you wanted to do with your baby: rock, bath, diaper, dress.
- Determine what types of memorabilia you would like to keep of your baby: blanket, baby cap, footprints, hospital bracelet, measurements…. There are many of these suggestions in the birth plan that you can just check off and give to your nurse or Baby Loss Doula/ Baby Loss Family Advisor to make sure they are collected if possible.
Please feel comfortable to call us for assistance when filling out the birth plan. (513) 607-6083
From Baby Loss Family Advisors™ website
MISSION
To teach, train, and assist Loss Advisors/Loss Doulas to offer compassionate, informed support to families facing the loss of a baby in miscarriage, stillbirth, or other infant death.
WE BELIEVE
All parents deserve to be offered compassionate and well-informed continuity of care, including support and navigation help as soon as possible from well-trained Loss Advisors™, also called Baby Loss Doulas® or Bereavement Doulas™.
VISION
Every mother, and her partner, should have access to a well-trained, nurturing Baby Loss Advisor/Loss Doula who gently supports and wisely teaches and thoughtfully advocates for women/couples from the time of their loss, through the planning process, the birth, and afterward.
Also…Parents who receive bad news in pregnancy (death of a baby or impending death) will: Have minimal regrets
- Feel cared for and well-informed
- Have the opportunity for help navigating the journey from early on through subsequent pregnancy, if desired
- Maximize memories, rituals, and creation of countless mementos
HOW IT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED
When parents are told their baby has died, or has a fatal condition and will die, they will be given helpful support by staff and an immediate connection with a Baby Loss Family Advisor, with parents’ permission. This Advisor can help parents navigate the early days, the birth, meeting the baby, saying goodbye, time at home, help with going back to work, and in the days to come, including during subsequent pregnancy, as desired by parents.
Care is given in person, on the phone, or via email depending upon specific circumstances and the desires and realities of both the newly bereaved and the Independent Loss Advisor/Loss Doula.
WHO ARE THE INDEPENDENT LOSS ADVISORS/LOSS DOULAS?
Well-healed bereaved parents, birth professionals, mental health professionals, clergy, funeral staff, and others who understand baby losses and want to help.
They participate in an intensive certification program and all have personal and/or professional experience with baby loss, also known as perinatal loss.
Independent Advisors/Loss Doulas are well-prepared to give care in cooperation with staff from clinics, hospitals, funeral directors, churches, along with childbirth educators, FIMR and public health professionals, and other medical professionals. Acting as advocates, guides, parent navigators, and care companions, these certified professionals want to help and give service. Some are able to offer their help for free (Donations are usually appreciated.) Others do this as a service of their profession. All appreciate feedback and testimonials if parents find the care helpful.
State Laws
You are not alone
You are not alone. One out of every thirty-three babies are miscarried or stillborn in the second trimester. One in 160 are stillborn or die shortly after birth. Parents who have lost a baby in miscarriage or stillbirth are still parents to that child. The baby just resides in a different place, which we believe is heaven. We are here to help. Please read our information pages for more help or give us a call (513) 607-6083.