6 Ways To Cope With Loss Of Pregnancy

The state of being pregnant can be a great sense of joy for to be parents, with the loss of pregnancy being a mixed feeling of anger, guilt, depression, grief, shock, a sense of failure and vulnerability. These feelings are all the aggravated with feelings of being withdrawn and moody when you have already had previous loss of pregnancy.

A few things to work on with loss of pregnancy:

1) You could overcome your feelings of guilt by acknowledging it is not your fault; complications and loss of pregnancy could happen to anyone. It would help a lot to talk openly and honestly with your partner and tell him what happened to you and how it has affected you. Accept your feelings as they are and do not judge your partner or you for your responses.  

2) It is best to take time off from work, even if you are physically fine. It would prove useful to give yourself time away from your regular work to acknowledge and accept your feelings for what you are going through.

3) Do not be too hard on yourself and pressurize yourself to get past the grief quickly; give yourself time to heal. Learn to deal with your grief as it comes; this will help you relive the pain especially during milestones as your due dates and would help things to change for the better.

4) It is best to understand that men and women grieve differently; while women express their feelings and look for support from others, men believe in holding the grief within themselves and then dealing with it. They believe in being strong to take care of their partners. Share your feelings and needs with your partner and give each other the freedom to experience the loss and heal in one’s own way.

5) It would help to heal and not feel alone by sharing your story with others; you may find some of your friends and neighbors sharing the same story. You could also receive understanding and support from the most unexpected quarters who have experienced the same grief; do not expect too much as most people want to be comforting, but some find it difficult to find the right words to empathize with you.

6) Lastly seek support in the support groups in your community; your doctor or midwife would help you find the right group. Do not be discouraged if you do not find the right support group immediately; you would soon find one according to your need like an early or late miscarriage, still born or otherwise. In extreme cases it would help to seek the help of a professional counselor who will help you to grapple with your difficult emotions and come to terms with your grief.  

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