A thriving family takes a village. Guiding Star Memphis seeks to honor families by offering family life support services. Children are always welcome at Guiding Star Memphis and we offer the following practical support:
- Drop-in child watch for families using our Guiding Star Center
- Materials and family life resources
- Parenting support workshops
Bereavement Support
- Birth support and prenatal support with additional counseling and planning tailored for specific instances
- Assistance with funeral arrangements
- Coordination between hospital and funeral home/cemetery
- Hospital keepsake box
- Clergy and/or rites coordination
- Support for other family members
- Connection with local therapists
- Monthly support group offered through GSM
NICU Support
One-on-one Doula Support
o Initial 2-hour “NICU Crash Course” consultation
o Weekly 30-minute in-person/phone call consultations for 5 weeks
NICU notebook with:
o Info sheet (NICU phone #, room #, access code (if needed), rounds schedule, specialist schedule)
o “What to Expect” NICU info (NICU level, monitors descriptions, initial weight loss, skin2skin advocacy tips, tub/bottle/cup feeding, circumcision timing)
o Details of tests for growers/feeders and some special cases
o Milestone expectations
o Communication ledger for 5 weeks (days of the week/notes)