Breaking the Silence: Raising Awareness about Pregnancy Loss and Mental Health
Breaking the Silence: Raising Awareness about Pregnancy Loss and Mental Health
Loss
Pregnancy Loss, Infancy Loss and Mental Health
Updated 4/2025 Updated 4/2025 to include Alt text and resource links.
Why October Brings Attention to Pregnancy and Infant Loss
October is the month of awareness for both, Breast Cancer and Pregnancy and Infancy Loss. Because breast cancer is often at the forefront of awareness for October, I’d like to talk more about Pregnancy and Infant Loss awareness. While one often overshadows the other, it’s just as vital to bring attention to the grief experienced by parents who have suffered miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. This month provides an opportunity to hold space for the pain, honor those lost, and extend compassion to those who grieve—often in silence.
“Pregnancy and Infant loss should not be taboo. It should be spoken about and normalized in discussion.”
Rather listen than read?
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Facts about Pregnancy and Infant Loss:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Both miscarriage and stillbirth describe pregnancy loss, but they differ according to when the loss occurs. In the United States, a miscarriage is usually defined as loss of a baby before the 20th week of pregnancy, and a stillbirth is loss of a baby at 20 weeks of pregnancy and later."
1 in 4 women have experienced a miscarriage.
A high percentage of miscarriages occur due to genetic issues. One genetic issue that comes to mind is the MTFHR gene, which you can learn more about in a previous article I’ve provided MTHFR Gene. What is it? Why is it Important? .
The costs of perinatal mental health problems indicate, up to 20% of women develop a mental health problem during pregnancy or within a year of giving birth.
Let's not forget that
Women who miscarry or experience early infant loss will experience grief on top of the mental health condition that has developed as well as hormonal fluctuations.
Pregnancy and Infancy Loss Impact on mental health:
self-blame
guilt
ruminating thoughts
feeling isolated
difficulty concentrating
fatigue
triggered by medical visits or menstrual bleeding
intrusive thoughts
flashbacks
nightmares
negative thoughts
suicidal thoughts
low self-esteem
feeling hopeless
Because this grief often goes unspoken, many parents are left to navigate it alone. It’s a silent grief many carry, and one that deserves gentle care. Therapy can support the healing process by validating those feelings and helping rebuild emotional resilience.
The Silent Grief Many Carry
Ladies you should know:
You are not broken
Yes, you are a mother
No one deserves to lose a child
There will be moments you cry less and moments you cry more.
You grieving and your body is readjusting to live without the hormonal surge you were experiencing while pregnant
There are likely women in your circle who have experienced the same loss but haven’t spoken about it, and you’re not alone in this journey.
Miscarriages and infant loss are traumatic experiences
Asking for help can be difficult. However, YOU don't have to suffer in silence. There is support out there.
Coping with Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss
How to start the healing process:
Build Community- Find Online/Local Support Groups. Ask your primary care physician about local Miscarriage and Infancy loss support groups. Including Share Pregnancy and Infant Lost Support and March of Dimes.
Seek Counseling- Search for a counselor specializing in Grief or Perinatal Mental health. I have provided a list of providers below who may be licensed in your state.
Create a memory space—consider purchasing or crafting memorabilia that will bring comfort to you and your family
Held Your Whole Life is a wonderful resource that provides customized jewelry.
Walter’s Bears provides a custom weighted bear the weight of your loss child. Many women have found holding a bear the weight of their child to be a comforting.
Focus on your self-care. Taking time for yourself is essential in the healing process. If you're looking for practical self-care tips, I've created a list of easy, inexpensive ideas that can be done in 15 minutes or less. These tips are designed to help you prioritize your well-being during difficult times. You can explore these self-care suggestions here.
Just a few months back, I reached out to my colleagues and was able to obtain the following mental health practices and clinics that specialize in Pregnancy and Infancy Loss.
Resources for Emotional Healing and Coping with Infant Loss
Counseling Services Who Specialize in Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Grief
If you are navigating grief, pregnancy loss, or perinatal challenges, connecting with specialized support can be a vital step in your healing journey. Here are some counseling services and organizations that focus on pregnancy loss and perinatal grief:
California
https://www.milestonebhcs.com/
Florida
https://distinctivelyyoursllc.org/
Georgia
Michigan
http://www.maternalcounselingservices.com
https://peaceandharmonyllc.com
Virginia
https://distinctivelyyoursllc.org/
For Virtual Therapy Services
https://theperinatalnp.com/contact-us/
Just a reminder, pregnancy and infant loss impacts fathers as well.
Men to Heal held a discussion titled Pregnancy and Infancy Loss: A Father’s Grief, which you can view here.
Pin
White candle lit in remembrance for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.
Compassionate Words For Someone Grieving
In honor of my friends, family, my clients, blog readers and myself, I'd like to remember the babies and children who were called to the heavens. Parted from family too soon. Held their whole lives and embraced with love.
Develop New Habits
When we don’t speak on difficult, yet normal topics, we feed the stigma. I’m making it a habit to normalize these issues in my counseling space. Are you making it a habit to make this topic a normal discussion in your circle?
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If you wish to share information about your angel baby or children please do so in the comments section. Share what you are comfortable with. I’ll be sure to respond to your comment when I receive the notification.
Ways to Honor A Loss
Additional Items That May Support Healing:
Thank you for reading this article. I hope you find it helpful as you continue on your wellness journey. Here are some tools that I use as a practitioner that I hope you’ll also find helpful. Some are affiliate links, so if you decide to use any of them, it will continue supporting A Solution B by providing services to clients experiencing financial hardship.
Memorial Ornament: This Miscarriage Ornament provides a tangible reminder that your pain is acknowledged and valid. It also symbolizes your unique journey and serves as a tribute to the strength and resilience you have demonstrated. This particular ornament has a significant phrase that may resonate with your experience.
You Will Get Through This: Hope and Help Through Your Tribulant Times. During a difficult journey, a dear friend provided me with this book, You Will Get Through This, that turned out to be a guiding light in my darkest moments. With each page I turned, its words wove themselves into the tapestry of my experience, which offered solace. This book help me to navigate my journey. It enabled me to find meaning my experience. If you don't agree with Christian teachings, this book may not resonate with you because it includes them. If you prefer to audio books, you can sign up to Audible plus and get up to two free audio books.
Conclusion
Grief is not linear, and there is no timeline for healing. Whether your loss was recent or years ago, your experience is valid, and your feelings matter. If you're in need of support, I invite you to explore therapy services focused on grief and emotional wellness. You are not alone, and healing is possible.
Written By: Reynelda Jones, LMSW-C, CAADC, ADS, CIMHP
CEO and Lead Therapist, A Solution B, LLC
If you're in need of working through stress, anxiety or trauma and feel you would benefit from a holistic therapeutic approach, Contact me today for a session.
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