Pregnancy Loss and Newborn Death

Despite how frequently pregnancy loss and newborn death occur, you cannot be prepared when it happens to you. I am so sorry that you are going through this emotionally and physically demanding experience. According to the 2015 National Vital Statistics Reports, nearly 1 million families in the United States experience miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or stillbirth each year accounting for 20% to 25% of all known pregnancies. More than half the time, the cause is unknown. We also recognize the agonizing decisions which face families after learning that their developing baby has a life-limiting abnormality. You are likely to have intense emotions regardless of how far along you were in your pregnancy, the health of your developing baby or how long you knew your baby. It is common to feel alone, overwhelmed and misunderstood.

Frequent Experiences of Bereaved Parents

Overwhelming sadness

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Emotional emptiness

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Intense longing for the baby

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Frequently replay the sequence of events

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Nightmares and difficulty sleeping

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Poor appetite

Foggy-headed

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Loss of meaning

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Challenges to the couple relationship

The Healing Journey

Over time, you will integrate this experience into your life story - coming to terms with the finality of the loss while still creating a meaningful future. Many bereaved parents are helped by reading books, researching information online, being surrounded by supportive family and friends or joining a support group. The first year is so full of painful reminders, that it is especially challenging both individually and to the couple relationship. It is during this same time that you will be considering when and if you will try to get pregnant again. There are reliable resources and support which can guide you through the unavoidable anxiety of making it through a pregnancy after loss. Remember: be gentle with yourself.

Please email or call Shoshana Center (651) 645-5504 for more information or to schedule an appointment.