Grief is deeply personal and can bring a range of emotions. Some people find comfort in sharing their experience, while others prefer to grieve privately. There is no right or wrong way to navigate this journey.
The death of a baby at any stage of pregnancy can be a very sad and distressing time. When a pregnancy loss occurs, parents are often already busy preparing for a new life with their baby.
Suddenly and unexpectedly, their plans come to an end. Regardless of why a pregnancy loss occurs it usually comes as a shock to parents and causes a wide range of intense emotions. Every pregnancy loss is different, and there is no right way to feel about it. Feeling sad, confused, frightened, socially isolated or overwhelmed by grief or even a sense of relief are all common and normal. For some parents, the loss of a pregnancy is a shocking life event from which it takes a long time to recover, whereas for others, it may not take as long. Both instances are normal.
emotions that are completely normal during this time
- Shock & a wide range of intense emotions
- Shifts in relationships – Know that this is all part of the change process in a life after loss.
- Feeling sad, confused, frightened, socially isolated, or overwhelmed by grief – Even a sense of relief — all are common and normal.
- Every pregnancy loss is different – There is no right way to feel about it.
One of the things no one talks much about is how relationships change after baby loss.
Some people will drift away and others will draw closer. Please do not take any of these changes to heart. It is all part of the change process in a life after loss. Instead, we encourage you to focus on those who are present, able to provide the nurturing care you need at this time, and respect the boundaries you need to help you get through these days.
Building a supportive network
It is really important to build yourself a caring, nurturing social support network and avoid isolation as that does not help with long term mental health. Please do reach out as needed which may include reaching out to other bereaved parents via support groups both face to face and online.
Above all, please be assured that there is no right or wrong way to grieve.
There are a lot of resources available online - some helpful, some not so helpful. Accessing counselling and psychological support may be a helpful option to talk through your grief in a safe space, and peer support opportunities are beneficial when wanting to talk with a person who has lived experience of a pregnancy loss. Both options will help you feel understood and find ways to express your grief in a way that works for you.
Developed by Bare Mum in collaboration with Red Nose Australia.
