TLC: Repro First Aid for Spiritual Caregivers

Make room for honesty, complexity, grief, relief, hope, and every feeling in between.

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When someone turns to you for support during a reproductive crisis, knowing what to say or where to start can be hard. That’s why RCRC partnered with reproductive chaplains across the country to create a Reproductive First Aid Kit for Spiritual Caregivers, drawing on their experience and wisdom.
 

Start with a little TLC:
 

Establish TRUST. Thank them for trusting you. Create space for honesty. Explain your confidentiality practices and any limits.
 

LISTEN to their story. Lead with curiosity and warmth. Mirror their language, follow their lead, and let them tell you what their experience means to them. Try asking: “What kind of support would feel helpful?”
 

Help them CONNECT with specialized care. You don’t have to have all of the answers. Stay within your scope, stay connected, and help them find the spiritual, medical, legal, or financial support they need.
 

Remember: spiritual care is an important and often overlooked part of reproductive care. Whether you’re clergy, a chaplain, or a trusted friend, you can make room for honesty, complexity, grief, relief, hope, and every feeling in between.
 

To print or save your copy of the Repro First Aid Kit One-Pager, click here.