Healing Hearts: Navigating Pregnancy and Infant Loss

*Trigger Warning: Discussion of Pregnancy Loss, Infant Loss, Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Etc.*

In honor of pregnancy and infant loss awareness day, I decided it would be appropriate to chat about this heartbreaking subject. Pregnancy and infant loss I look at as a whole from early miscarriages to stillbirths and everything in between and after. Everyone will have their own perspectives and that’s okay. While they are all very different, it is challenging to navigate regardless.

Loss

Whether you knew you were pregnant for a day or carried your baby for 9 months, a loss is incredibly hard. Many women will process differently and will navigate grief, depression, anxiety, etc. Some may choose to share their loss with family and friends and others may choose to navigate this time privately. There is no right or wrong way, what is important is you make the best decision for you and your family.

Navigating Through

Depending on the loss, your body will be experiencing different things physically. Regardless, you should seek advice from your healthcare provider. They will be able to help you physically as well as make recommendations for further support if needed. Some may need/want to speak to a mental health professional for emotional support. Your mind, body and soul will need time to recover and heal from this loss. Taking care of yourself will need to be a priority for you. It may be hard, but I urge anyone to take even just 15 minutes to care for themselves.

Tips

Here are some simple self care tips to help you through this time

Hydration

Warm/nourishing foods

Rest

Warm showers

Journaling

Gentle Walks

Meditation

Give yourself grace

Talk it out with a trusted family member or friend

Seek professional support

15 minutes of sunlight

Honoring your baby

This may or may not be something you do. Every mothers preference will be different. There are many different ways to honor your baby. Depending on when the loss occurred will change how you may honor your baby. Some may choose to bury their baby if possible. Others may simply name them. You could plant a tree in their honor. Other ideas would be to have a memorial service, light a candle, or volunteer for a charity or hospital.

Helping Others

If you are looking to support someone through a loss. Allowing them space but also being there to support them when they want to talk is helpful. Asking specifically what they need can also help. It may be bringing over food, picking up supplies, folding the laundry, doing the dishes, or just being a shoulder to cry on. Some may choose to grieve privately which is also okay, just checking in to make sure they are okay can be helpful. If they have other children it may be helpful to care for them so mom can take some time for self care. 

*This is not medical advice, if you are seeking medical advice please contact a licensed and trust medical provider*