how to help a friend deal with the loss of a child

I am talking from experience as I respond to this thread. My beautiful baby girl was stillborn and was born at 23 weeks gestation. I wasnt with my daughters father at the time and at that stage never needed him. He still to this day has had nothing to do with any arrangements that needed to be done, nor did he care for our then 2 1/2 yo son. He never came to the hospital either. As hard as you may feel it would be, please dont desert your friend. Some of my friends that I considered to be my closest, just stayed away and never came to see me or even ring to see how i was coping. I found that my true friends were the ones that already had children. They would bring meals, cook, babysit but best of all they were there when I needed someone to talk too. Just give your friend time before visiting, but make sure you call her just to let her know that you care and are there if she needs you. She was still your friend before this happened and it shouldnt change anything. Hugs to your friend and best wishes for your baby.

The best thing that you can do is let her know that you care and that you are there for her and if she needs it giver her a hug and let heer cry on your shoulder. Don't do it just once but again and again.