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Mission:
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SPALS is an
email-based discussion group providing self-help
support for subsequent pregnancy after a
loss.
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Support:
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SPALS is an
active and positive support network, with over 350
members sharing mutual support and information
regarding subsequent pregnancy. Member experiences
cover a wide range of circumstances of pregnancy
loss and experiences of subsequent
pregnancy.
SPALS
subscribers value the supportive and understanding
environment created on the list -- and it is the
members of the list themselves who deserve
tremendous credit for providing such a warm and
helpful place in which to discuss the challenges of
subsequent pregnancy.
SPALS
strives to stimulate a self-help response. This is
not medical advice and it is not professional
counselling. Any suggestions provided by
subscribers is largely based on the personal
experiences of bereaved individuals who are
themselves seeking or experiencing subsequent
pregnancy. We consider this to be valuable support
to the self-help process. Those seeking support
should not rely solely on SPALS for their emotional
support.
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Topics:
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SPALS is a
place for mutual self-help. Subscribers to SPALS
strive to offer each other support through
subsequent pregnancies by discussing issues that
often arise in a pregnancy after a loss, such
as:
- Coping
with actual and imagined fears of another
loss.
- Working
with family and employers to adjust to the
special needs of a moderate or high risk
pregnancy.
- Medical
risks and additional testing of a subsequent
pregnancy.
- How our
previous loss has affected our feelings and others'
about another pregnancy.
- Testing
and/or treatment for secondary infertility
following a loss.
- Coping
with ongoing loss in subsequent
pregnancy.
Discussion
is not limited to these topics, but members are
strongly encouraged to keep discussion within the
scope of subsequent pregnancy after a
loss.
Experience
has taught us that some topics are divisive and
derisive, and best avoided on SPALS. The
SPALS
Guidelines
contain further information on how to approach
sensitive topics.
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Eligibility:
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The SPALS
support network is for bereaved parents who are
currently pregnant, trying to conceive, considering
another pregnancy, or wrestling with the whole idea
of becoming pregnant again. List administrators
screen applicants to determine whether prospective
members fit into the SPALS profile. Members agree
to meet the obligation of members.
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Member
Obligation:
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It is each
member's obligation to abide by the
SPALS
Code of Conduct,
observe and uphold the charter of SPALS, and follow
the SPALS
Guidelines,
all of which guide our members in providing mutual
support.
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Code
of Conduct:
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The
SPALS
Code of Conduct
helps us to preserve our self-help group process.
Our group process is what SPALS members depend upon
for support. Our group process depends upon mutual
support, decorum, tolerance, and
self-respect.
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Guidelines:
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The
SPALS
Guidelines,
by specific examples, attempt to identify clearly
those few topics and behaviors that generally are
found to be hurtful on SPALS. Any questions about
SPALS group process or appropriate conduct on SPALS
should be directed privately to the list
administrators.
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Governance:
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The
charter, Code
of Conduct,
Guidelines
and membership of SPALS are maintained by the list
administrators, who provide this service on a
volunteer basis.
SPALS is
not moderated and the list administrators do not
censor messages. However, to promote a supportive
atmosphere, list administrators will actively
discourage any behaviour outside of the
SPALS
Guidelines.
A subscriber who repeatedly or flagrantly
disregards the guidelines will be considered
unwilling to follow the SPALS
Code of Conduct,
and will lose access to SPALS.
Any
questions or concerns about member behaviour should
be directed privately to the list administrators.
By common courtesy, such concerns should not
be posted directly to the list.
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