Resources

Grants

Baby Steps Fun Run

As both a fundraiser for Sarah’s Laughter and an infertility awareness event, this run offers door prizes for eligible entrants, including three grants of varying amounts for “family building” and a free IVF cycle at a sponsoring fertility clinic. (See entry under “Ministries.”)

Defiantly Hopeful

This foundation was born out of the desire to make IVF available to as many families as possible. It supplies grants for women who might otherwise be unable to access the procedure due to finances.

Show Hope

Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth founded Show Hope.  The organization, based in Franklin, Tennessee,  “exists to care for orphans by engaging the church and reducing barriers to adoption.”  They offer grants to help with adoption costs and other types of post-adoption assistance.

Ministries

Beckett’s Blessing Box

Beckett’s Blessing Box provides resources for those who have lost a child – whether before or after birth. The boxes can be requested at the website and are filled with books, devotionals, and other resources.

Foreknown Ministries

The pain of pregnancy and infant loss is not limited to a mother’s experience. That is why Foreknown Ministries works to “empower mothers and fathers to find healing in Jesus Christ after pregnancy or infant loss.”

Moms in the Making

This Christian infertility ministry seeks to encourage and support women in their journey to becoming mothers. They organize support groups for those experiencing infertility, as well as baby loss or miscarriage, secondary infertility, foster care, or adoption. Moms in the Making also offers a yearly retreat.

Sarah’s Laughter

Sarah’s Laughter offers Christian support to couples struggling with infertility or the death of a baby. Services include support groups, memorial services to honor stillborn and miscarried babies, and “Butterfly Bags” for those who are grieving the loss of a baby.

While We’re Waiting (WWW)

As parents await a heavenly reunion with their deceased children, WWW offers retreats where they can interact with other moms and dads who truly understand the experience of losing a child. These free, biblically based retreats are held in numerous locations.

Fertility Resources

Dr. Heather Rhodes

Dr. Rhodes is a clinical pharmacist who helps women discover how to heal their bodies’ hormonal imbalances through holistic and natural methods, forgoing chemical pharmaceuticals.

National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC)

This nonprofit program, founded in 2003, desires “to share the love of Christ through the life-affirming process of embryo adoption while striving to place every donated embryo into a loving home. ”Some couples may donate their excess embryos (from IVF) for adoption, while others may “adopt” ones that have been donated.

Natural Procreative Technology (NaPro)

NaProTechnology promotes a researched and published approach to the increasing number of illnesses currently plaguing women – endometriosis, hormonal abnormalities, infertility, painful or irregular periods, and repetitive miscarriages, to name a few. According to its website, “Natural Procreative Technology looks at each woman’s personal cycle to determine the root cause of her illness and provide real solutions to real problems.”

By Its Fruit

Dr. Naomi Whittaker is certified in restorative reproductive medicine and surgery, including NaProTechnology. Her website offers “the latest studies, articles, and research behind this specialized field of medicine.” Dr. Whittaker is a provider at UPMC Divine Mercy Womens Health in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

Nightlight Christian Adoptions (NCA)

NCA facilitates domestic and international adoption of infants, embryo adoptions, and adoptions from the foster care system.

Rejoice Fertility

Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, this clinic offers reproductive care for the physical, spiritual, and emotional, aspects of infertility treatment. Rejoice Fertility is a faith-based facility that does not discard embryos.

Books

Courageously Expecting: 30 Days of Encouragement
for Pregnancy After Loss

Author Jenny Albers shares her own experience of  “holding her breath and hoping for what she couldn’t control” as she navigated the conflicting emotions that accompanied her pregnancy after previously enduring a pregnancy loss. Journaling, prayer, and Scripture accompany Albers’ personal narrative.

In Due Time: Hope & Encouragement in the Waiting

This 60-day devotional includes pieces of Caroline Harries’ personal story of  “loss and longing.” She reminds readers that whatever the reason for experiencing this season, God is faithful and good, and His Word can help find joy in the waiting.

I Will Carry You:  The Sacred Dance of Grief and Joy

When Angie Smith was carrying her fourth daughter, she and her husband Todd (lead singer of Christian music group Selah) were told that their baby’s condition made her “incompatible with life.” Smith uses her own story, in conjunction with the story of Lazarus’ death and resurrection, to convey God’s love and faithfulness in the midst of tragedy and loss.

Losing Cooper: Finding Hope to Grieve Well

In the wake of the tragic death of their 5-year-old son Cooper, AFR radio personality J.J. Jasper and his wife Melanie shared their story in a documentary film, Flame On, available to watch at jjjasper.com. Their follow-up book gives greater insight into how God helped them survive such a devastating loss. “It may require courage to read this book, but in doing so, you will find hope to grieve well,” J.J. said.

A Pastor’s Notes: God Calls the Church to Stand Boldly for Life

This book is a collection of pro-life blogs written by Joseph Parker, AFA director of outreach and intercession. He challenges church leaders to demonstrate conviction and courage and to take a public stand to protect the unborn.

Podcasts

A Cup Full of Hope Podcast

Host Caroline Harries, president of Moms in the Making, encourages others like herself who are waiting on miracle babies or other breakthroughs from God.

The Foreknown Men Podcast

Fathers are often forgotten after pregnancy loss. Through this podcast from Foreknown Ministries, host Ryan Cole seeks to “add hope and healing to the lives of all men who have experienced loss.”

Joy and Infertility

Through the difficult path of infertility, is it possible to experience hope or faith – much less, joy? Caley Porter hopes her podcast will help women “feel encouraged, seen, and maybe even a little more joyful.”

Waiting in Hope Infertility Podcast

Co-hosts Kelley Ramsey and Jaclyn Toscas encourage listeners to not simply wait during the struggle with infertility – but to “wait in hope.”

Sarah’s Laughter Infertility Podcast

This podcasts interviews people who understand the struggle of infertility – “those who walk through it, and those who walk alongside them.”