As our patient, we want you to focus on the happiness and excitement that comes naturally with pregnancy. As your obstetrical care provider, we want you to know that we are here to support you if you experience a loss.
Although it's not something that any soon-to-be parent wants to think about, nearly 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss. That's a scary fact. So are terms such as miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and stillbirth. But as hard as it is to think and talk about, it's important for you to know that if you experience a pregnancy loss, you are not alone.
Pregnancy loss can be very difficult. The emotional impact can often times be much greater than the physical impact. It may be difficult to think and make decisions, or to reach out to find support. Many people will assume that something happened - such as an illness or a fall - to cause pregnancy loss, but this is rarely true. As many as 25 percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage (pregnancy loss before the 20th week of gestation). Of those pregnancies, half of miscarriages occur before the woman even realizes she is pregnant. Fortunately most women who miscarry (even more than once) can become pregnant again and give birth to a healthy baby.
Healing after the loss of a pregnancy may seem impossible, but you do not have to go through it alone. Just as we will be there to help you celebrate the birth of a healthy baby, we will be there to help you recover from the loss of a pregnancy.
There are numerous questions that emerge after pregnancy loss. Some of those questions may unfortunately never be answered, but that does not mean that you and your loved ones will be unable to recover and move forward. At Grand Rapids Women's Health, we strongly believe that having trusted resources readily available will help you grieve, cope, and heal. There are many organizations and resources available to you to help you:
The Maternal Wellness Program Support Group, offers cost-free support groups for those who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss. Currently support group are done virtually, and there no need to pre-register. The support group meets every Wednesday from 6pm to 7:30pm. For more information, please click here.
Pregnancy After Loss Support (PALS)
After experiencing a loss, the thought of becoming pregnant again can be scary to some women. PALS is a community support resource for women experiencing the confusing and conflicting emotions of grief mixed with joy during the journey through pregnancy after loss. They seek to help expectant mothers celebrate their current pregnancy by choosing hope over fear while still nurturing and honoring the grief over the loss of a previous pregnancy.
Pregnancy After Miscarriage: What You Need to Know
Pregnancy after miscarriage can be stressful and confusing. When is the best time to get pregnant? What are the odds of miscarrying again? Get the facts about pregnancy after miscarriage. (© Mayo Clinic)