Pregnancy and Baby Loss Resource: RTZ HOPE - Return To Zero
RTZ HOPE is a national non-profit organization that provides support, resources, and community for people who have experienced miscarriage, termination for medical reasons (TFMR), stillbirth, infant death, loss through surrogacy and failed adoption.
Originally known as Return to Zero: H.O.P.E., RTZ HOPE, was founded by Kiley Krekorian Hanish, OTD, PMH-C, in 2014. Kiley and her husband Sean experienced the stillbirth of their son in 2005. Kiley was disappointed by the lack of support and services she received from the hospital. She wanted to change that experience for others.
So Kylie and Sean created the film Return to Zero with the hope that sharing their tragedy would be healing and destigmatizing to others who have experienced a stillbirth. The film was able to reach people all over the world who had similar stories and shed light on a topic that is difficult for so many to discuss.
RTZ HOPE offers support to parents who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss. RTZ HOPE collaborates with health care providers to offer trainings and education for parents as well as providers. RTZ HOPE’s recorded webinars provide education and resources for providers including raising awareness about culturally competent care.
I recorded a webinar with Kiley titled: Healing Your Relationship with Your Body Through Mindfulness.
You can click here to watch it.
RTZ HOPE also hosts virtual support groups and retreats for parents that have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. We are fortunate that these healing retreats are offered in Northern California in May each year.
I have listed some of the webinars and support groups that RTZ Hope offers to grieving parents and families.
You may not be sure which webinar or support group is right for you. You also may not be ready to share your experience in a group setting.
You are not alone.
These are some of the free webinars RTZ HOPE offers:
Returning to Work
The free webinar helps bereaved parents prepare for the explores the difficulty and nuances around returning to the workplace after loss.
Birth Trauma (for health care providers)
This free webinar helps health care providers, like doctors and nurses, better prepare for the trauma that parents face when they experience pregnancy loss or infant loss.
Birth Trauma (for families)
This free webinar is focused on families that have experienced a life-changing traumatic experience losing a pregnancy or infant.
RTZ HOPE’s virtual support groups provide a caring and inclusive space for families to process their grief and build community through shared experiences. All of the support groups are led by facilitators who have experienced losses and received direct support through RTZ HOPE at some point in their healing journey.
RTZ HOPE’s 6 week online support groups are offered as a way to create safety and healing. There is a fee to participate however no one is turned away due to lack of funds. Facilitators begin sessions with guided meditations and then spend time reviewing helpful information and resources. The remaining time is devoted to discussion and reflective sharing. Participants tend to stay connected with one another after the groups end.
Some of the support groups RTZ HOPE offers are:
Pregnancy and Infant Loss (Birthing Parent)
Pregnancy and Infant Loss (Couples)
Recurrent Loss and Infertility (Birthing Parent)
Ending a Wanted Pregnancy (Birthing Parent)
Ending a Wanted Pregnancy (Couples)
People of Color Pregnancy and Infant Loss (Birthing Parent)
LGBTQ+ Affirming Space for Pregnancy and Infant Loss (Birthing and Non-Birthing Parents)
Early Pregnancy Loss (Birthing Parent)
Pregnancy After Loss (Birthing Parent)
Parenting After Loss (Birthing and Non-Birthing Parents)
Click here to learn more about RTZ Hope.
If you are feeling like these groups are not right for you or you are not ready to share your experience in a group setting, you are not alone.