Empty cradle broken heart is the perfect resource for anyone who has experienced a late pregnancy or early infancy loss. The book tells it like it is, often in the words of those who have lived through a loss, and offers some coping strategies. Most importantly, I felt reassured that the feelings I am/was experiencing are not only normal, but a healthy part of the grieving process.

A wonderful book you never want to be in the position of having to read. This book understood me.

This was the hardest book I've ever had to read. I hope others never have to read it. It brought some comfort during this devastating phase in my life.

Great book for anyone who has lost a precious baby at any stage. It guides you through the whole process of loss, not only covers grieving, but also physical and emotional recovery, and the decisions you have to make under these so sad circumstances. You are not alone. Losing a baby is one of the most painful experiences in life, and grieving your angel is a long process that you have to live through intensely to be able to recover at some point in your life.

I was given this book by my obgyn after our son was stillborn at 20 weeks. It has helped me in my grieving process.

There is a section for women who aborted their babies after receiving a diagnosis of certain conditions such as Down Syndrome. I found this to be offensive as those women CHOSE to abort their baby by inducing a miscarriage, rather than it happening by chance, where a mother has no choice in the matter.

I wish no one had to read this book. But if you do, I hope you find as much peace and comfort as I did reading it. The hospital gave me this book after the stillbirth of my daughter. I wasn’t sure what to expect. However the personal experiences and quotes throughout made me feel less alone, some of them felt like they came directly from my head. I liked the practical advice and suggestions as well. I underlined parts that resonated with me as I read and I’ve already gone back to reference and re-read several times during my tough moments.

One of the better books I've read since the stillbirth of my son. I particularly appreciated the quotes from other parents. The words I'm thinking but am too afraid to say out loud ... or I have actually said them out loud and been brutally reprimanded by women who have never lost a child and have no idea what it is like.

It's sort of like a What to Expect book for loss. In fact, I wish much of this content were included in What to Expect When You're Expecting since many pregnancies do end in loss and that book barely dedicates a few pages to loss.

helpful when nothing else is

Davis' clear-eyed and sympathetic book is my highest recommendation for parents facing this devastating loss. She will take you through the grieving process, provide encouragement, facts, and stories to make you feel less alone and capable of mucking through those first terrible weeks.

I was lucky that this was one of the first books I found after we lost our baby at 20 weeks gestation. And after reading dozens more titles to review over the years, it's still one of the best.

Empty Cradle, Broken Heart has a very biological view of grief and death, and it especially focuses on presenting the ��normals” of grief so as to destigmatize varied grieving and mourning processes. The book’s great strength and biggest benefit is its comprehensive approach, comparable to A Gift of Time (for which Davis is a coauthor). One of the differences between the two volumes is that A Gift of Time has a bit more of an emotional/spiritual perspective than the largely physical/psychological perspective of Empty Cradle, Broken Heart.

This book attributes anger, guilt, and failure to “the belief that you are always in control of your destiny,” correctly identifying the problem of our belief we can control our lives—but erring in suggesting that all guilt we feel is false guilt (80). This is understandable but good to know. Davis presents a volume full of good practical advice that, for Christians, should probably be accompanied with pastoral counseling and guidance. The theme throughout is “You did the best you could with what you had."

There is an especially helpful chapter for men who are grieving (which also offers a guide to understanding how men grieve), and there is good information on subsequent pregnancies and raising children after infant loss (joys, sorrows, challenges of discipline, etc.). There is also an appendix for caregivers and a list of resources, both excellent.

A great source for anyone who lost a baby. Helped me feel less alone and isolated. I'm sure I will refer to this book over and over in years to come.

I found this book to be very helpful while dealing with a miscarriage. Parts of the book were more helpful than others but for the most part, very helpful in explaining the many emotions and feelings that come with losing a baby. This is a book to read if you've ever had a miscarriage or lost a baby or if you've known someone who's gone through such a devastating experience.