Life Touches Life: A Mother's Story of Stillbirth and Healing (Paperback)

~ (Author), Christiane Northrup M.D. (Foreword) "It was a sparrow that caught my attention..." (more)
Key Phrases: Victoria Helen, Captain Mike, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In spite of the fact that 1 in every 115 deliveries is a stillborn baby, stillbirth continues to be a taboo subject. In Life Touches Life, Lorraine Ash describes how she met that silence head-on. After a trouble-free pregnancy, her baby was declared dead on what was to be her date of birth. Following a C-section, Ash fought a fever that raged at 104 degrees and almost succumbed to the silent B-strep infection that had killed her daughter. Devastated by the experience, Ash sought solace and perspective in all the old places and found little relief. In this moving account she discusses the inner changes she faced after the stillbirth of her daughter, delves into spiritual questions that shook her soul, and examines the connection between mother and child that transcends separation and death.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: NewSage Press (May 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0939165503
• ISBN-13: 978-0939165506
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #442,982 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For ALL bereaved moms, September 7, 2004

By	Susan, Justin's mom - See all my reviews

This book was recommended to me by my grief counselor. I was a bit skeptical at first, as the author had a stillborn child, while I lost a 2 year old to Pediatric Cancer. However, it turned out to be one of the most helpful books I read. Lorraine Ash helped me heal, even just a little bit, and I am grateful to her. Reading a book actually written by a bereaved mom was infinitely more helpful than all of the books I read written by therapists who have not experienced the same kind of loss I have. I have copied quite a few exerps from her book, and read them from time to time when I need a lift. I believe I may actually get to meet the author, when she is in NY for a Walk to Remember children who have lost their lives. I hope so!

I am truly sorry for all of you bereaved parents who are searching for a book to soothe their soul. I hope you find this book as comforting as I did.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great support for parents of a stillborn, July 23, 2005

By	A. Davis "Ryan's Mom" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a great, unique book for parents who are grieving after the loss of a stillborn baby. My husband and I lost our first son, and were given lots of books on the process of grieving, the steps involved, and the rituals involved. After reading those books (which were very helpful and needed), this book was a breath of fresh air. This book contains one family's story about the loss of their child and what they went through after her death. It is written from the mother's point of view, which is both a great support for other Moms and a great window into the mother's mind-set for Dads. It was like listening to someone who has gone through this terrible loss, and knowing you can survive. I would recommend it to anyone who has lost a child via a stillbirth, and it would probably also be useful for family and friends to help them understand what the parents are going through.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Rambling Look Back at Her Grief Through Rose Colored Lenses, July 11, 2008

By	B. Murphy "Kara'sMommy" (NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

DO NOT PURCAHSE IF YOU ARE RECENTLY BEREAVED.

My child was stillborn on June 5th, 2008 - just 5 weeks ago. I am desperate for spiritual guidance and for some direction from women who have experienced stillbirth and who have managed to regain their will to live. How can we accept this? How can we go on living after such a tragic loss of our baby and our futures??? Please offer some insight!
Lorriane Ash begins her story with the heartbreaking account of the day of the stillbirth. However, she instantly & miraculously finds hope within weeks after the death of Victoria, her child. She vascillates between time frames without being specific - is she in the 6th month? Is she in the 1st month? Lorrain Ash also cites 'pearls of wisdom' from numerous religions including Buddism, Shamanism, American Indian Spirituality, Christianity and Judiasm - without fully investing in any one of them. She tells stories of how she's helped others by interviewing them and feels a new 'kindness' towards them - but no insight on how to cope with the loss of your baby.

Lorraine Ash is obviously writing this book from a perspective of many years past the event. There is 'magic'in everything she does and in the very air she breathes. At this point in my grieving process - this is certainly not the case. This is a book for much, much later in the journey of grief.