M.E.N.D. St. Louis Leadership Team

Rachel Barber - CHAPTER DIRECTOR

My name is Rachel Barber, I am the Chapter Director for MEND-STL. (St. Louis, MO area). I found MEND as I was searching for a way to provide support to other families who have experienced infant loss, as I have. In 2012, I went into labor at 23 weeks; and without knowing I had an infection, I was told my baby or I would not survive. He was born 2 days later and only lived a few short hours, and then after some tests, it was confirmed I had been infected with chorioamnionitis; which at that time was very rare and only affected about 1-5% of pregnant women. I was scared, hurt, confused and could not find anyone who had gone through anything similar. It’s hard to grieve when talking about your experience is so “unique”. I have also had a miscarriage at 9 weeks gestation earlier in life. So loss is not foreign to me. Over the past few years, I have shared my story as often as I could in hopes I would be able to encourage others who have experienced any form of loss, in pregnancy or infancy. I am so hopeful that as I share my story and provide a safe space for others to share theirs, our journey will be easier to navigate, with a listening ear. 

Chapter Assistants