By Christy Conklin
HAND of the Peninsula

Some of you may have seen in late January CBS’s The Early Show segment on miscarriage. It was a very sensitively and well-done piece, featuring Dr. Michael Berman, M.D., a professor of obstetrics at Yale University and author of the recently released book titled “Parenthood Lost.”

The book is so new that as of early February, copies haven’t yet made it to the bookstores. Instead of a proper book review, following is Dr. Berman’s own description of the book.

“Losing a pregnancy or newborn is a grievous experience. Today the perinatal death rate in the U.S. — which refers to fetuses 20-weeks-old through babies 4-weeks-old — is about 14 per 1,000 births. Many more children die earlier in pregnancy and later in childhood.

“In “Parenthood Lost,” I share my technique which helps parents deal with their grief and unravels the confusing genetic and medical causes of miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death. Through original poetry, firsthand stories told by parents, and articles describing genetic disorders, “Parenthood Lost” offers clarification and hope for parents who have suffered this tragedy.”

Dr. Berman includes a section on the most common reasons for perinatal losses, with detailed medical information written by practicing obstetricians and a helpful glossary.

Chapters include: Poetry: Comforting Through Time; Cherished Purposes: Selections From a Doctor’s Poems; Stories and Views; Parents’ Stories of Loss; Caregivers’ Views; Reasons for the Most Common Perinatal Loses; Reflections; A Database of Perinatal Losses; an index and bibliography.

Michael R. Berman, M.D., FACOG , is Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine and attending physician, Yale-New Haven Hospital. He is currently the President of the Yale-New Haven Physician Hospital Organization.

A graduate of New York Medical College, Dr. Berman is the founder and editor of Hygeia (www.hygeia.org), a Web site devoted to alleviating the angst of a pregnancy loss or death of a child.

He also administers the Hygeia Foundations, Inc., a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring medically indigent and underserved populations, nationally and internationally.

Dr. Berman practices obstetrics and gynecology in New Haven and lives in Woodbridge, Connecticut with his wife and two daughters.

I have been corresponding with Dr. Berman about possibly coming to the Bay Area to speak to the medical community. He says he is “passionate” about making the issues of perinatal loss more accepted to the public and medical profession. He welcomes the opportunity to address audiences, both medical and non-medical.

Investigations into venues and funding continue. In the meantime, buy his book for someone you care about. Proceeds benefit the Hygeia Foundation. And visit his website, www.hygeia.org, for a wealth of information and support.