Miscarriage Support in Hong Kong
According to the National Health Services (NHS), 1 in 8 pregnancies end in miscarriage. The exact cause of a miscarriage is often difficult to identify, but generally, chromosomes are the building blocks of a developing baby and if there are too many or too little chromosomes, the baby will not develop properly thus resulting in a miscarriage.
When a miscarriage is happening, the mother experiences vaginal bleeding accompanied by period-like abdominal cramping. Ultrasound and blood tests can further confirm the miscarriage and whether it’s only starting, in progress or has completed. Depending on the stage of pregnancy, the foetal tissue takes anywhere between a few days to 4 weeks to completely pass. This is undoubtedly a physically demanding process for the mother which requires elaborate care from the midwife or OB-GYN.
However, it’s also important to acknowledge the need for psychological support. In this article, we explore some resources different kinds of miscarriage support for all those in need.
Willow
Willow is a peer-support organisation dedicated to assisting parents facing challenges on their journey to parenthood. The group was started by Brittney Tsang, a pregnancy loss and birth trauma survivor.
Follow Willow on Instagram @willow.support for updated information about peer-support groups.
Caritas Miscarriage Support Centre
The Caritas Family services centre has a special unit dedicated to miscarriage support. They aim to provide comprehensive care for individuals and couples who experience miscarriage and help recover from the complex waves of emotions. Their services include peer support groups for grieving parents, grief counselling services and sex therapy for couples trying to rekindle intimacy after a miscarriage.
You can reach them either in person, via phone or e-mail:
· Website: https://family.caritas.org.hk/eng/service11_special_services14
· Address: Room 1206, 12/F, Chinachem Tsuen Wan Plaza, 455-457 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories
· Phone: 2154 1313
· E-mail: fsgpmp@caritassws.org.hk
Social Welfare Department
In Hong Kong, The Social welfare department (SWD) is a non-governmental organisation that provides couples with services such as counselling and help groups. For parents undergoing miscarriage, the “Integrated Family Services Centre” (IFSC) unit is a community based services centre offering family support and counselling. Their competent healthcare providers conduct interviews, home visits. In case the requirement of the grieving parents are beyond the scope of the department, they make referrals and direct the couple to places where they can get the help they rightfully need and deserve.
The following link directs you to a page with the addresses, telephone numbers and operating hours of the IFSCs located all over the city: https://www.swd.gov.hk/storage/asset/section/228/en/IFSC_ISC_address_list_eng_March_2023.pdf
You can visit in person and ask for the services needed.
You can also contact them via:
· Phone: (24 hour hotline) 2343 2255
· Email: swdenq@swd.gov.hk
Resource Counselling
“Resource” is a multicultural organisation that offers counselling in at least 10 different languages and have experts specially in the fields of depression and bereavement, relationship turbulence and grief. What makes them special is their “sliding fee scale” that assesses the background of the client before setting a price to make counselling affordable for all.
More information can be found on the website. They can be reached via:
· Website: https://resourcecounselling.org/
· Address: 701, China Hong Kong Tower, 8-12 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
· Phone: 2523 9879
· E-mail: resource@counselling.org.hk
Alli Ruttger – psychotherapist
Alli Ruttger offers in-person and online psychotherapy in Hong Kong. She is professionally trained in Canada. She specifically works with the effects of relational trauma, significant loss and destabilising stress, all of which are pertinent during a miscarriage. She charges HKD1300 for a 60 minute session, HKD1650 for a 75-minute session and HKD1950 for a 90-minute session.
The following website allows you to book a free 20-minute consultation with her:
https://www.alliruttger.com/book-online-therapy-hongkong
Alli can also be reached via:
· Address: Focus Psychological Enrichment Centre, Sheung Wan (MTR Exit B), Des Voeux Road, Loon Kee Building 1206
· Whatsapp: +852 9515 9116
· E-mail: hello@alliruttger.com
Experiencing a miscarriage can be a traumatic event for parents and it is important to ensure that grieving parents receive the emotional, mental and physical support they need. The good news is that most people go on to have healthy pregnancies and babies after a miscarriage, and with proper medical care and emotional support there is real reason to feel hopeful about the future.
