Common Questions Asked

 A miscarriage grief coach provides specialized support and guidance to individuals and couples who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. They offer emotional support, practical tools, and strategies to navigate the complex grief process, helping clients find healing, meaning, and hope after loss. This support can include helping to process emotions, develop coping mechanisms, and prepare for future pregnancies, if desired. 

 There are many different factors that can contribute to pregnancy loss. It is difficult to know with certainty what caused a specific pregnancy loss to occur, especially early in pregnancy.

 The right time to try to conceive again is a deeply personal decision. Medically, most doctors recommend waiting for at least one normal menstrual cycle before trying again.3 This allows your body to recover. However, emotional readiness is just as important. Take the time you need to grieve, heal, and communicate with your partner. Consider discussing your plans with your doctor, who can provide personalized guidance based on your medical history. 

Yes, there are many resources available:

• Support Groups: Online and in-person groups offer a safe space to share experiences and connect with others who understand your grief.4
• Therapists and Counselors: Mental health professionals specializing in grief and loss can provide individual or couples counseling.5
• Books and Websites: Many resources offer information, personal stories, and coping strategies.6
• Organizations: The Compassionate Friends, March of Dimes, and SHARE Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support are excellent resources.

This Membership: Our membership is designed to provide ongoing support, resources, and community for those navigating pregnancy and infant loss. 

 The experience of a miscarriage varies depending on the stage of pregnancy. You may experience:

• Cramping or abdominal pain
• Vaginal bleeding, ranging from light spotting to heavy flow7
• Passage of tissue or clots
• Emotional distress

It's crucial to contact your doctor immediately if you suspect a miscarriage.

•  Early Miscarriage (Chemical Pregnancy): Occurs very early, often before a pregnancy is clinically confirmed.8
• Missed Miscarriage (Silent Miscarriage): The embryo or fetus dies, but the body doesn't expel the tissue.9
• Threatened Miscarriage: Bleeding or cramping occurs, but the cervix remains closed, and the pregnancy may continue.
• Inevitable Miscarriage: The cervix opens, and miscarriage is unavoidable.
• Incomplete Miscarriage: Some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after the miscarriage.10
• Complete Miscarriage: All pregnancy tissue is expelled from the uterus.
• Recurrent Miscarriage: Three or more consecutive miscarriages. 

 Early miscarriage, also known as a chemical pregnancy is the most common form of miscarriage. Many happen before a person even knows they are pregnant. 

 Most miscarriages start with vaginal bleeding and cramping. The intensity of these symptoms varies. 

Grief is a complex and individual experience. Common feelings include:

• Sadness
• Anger
• Guilt
• Confusion
• Numbness
• Isolation
• Anxiety
• Depression

These feelings are valid, and it's essential to allow yourself time to grieve.

 Depending on the stage of pregnancy, you may see fetal tissue. Your medical provider can explain what to expect. Many hospitals offer memory making keepsakes. Some hospitals have specific procedures, and protocols regarding this. 

 This is a deeply personal and often difficult question. Hospitals or clinics typically have protocols for handling fetal remains, which may include options like:

• Hospital disposition.
• Private burial or cremation.
• Depending on the gestational age, you may have more options.

Talk to your healthcare provider about available options and your personal wishes.

• Allow yourself to grieve: Don't suppress your emotions.
• Seek support: Connect with support groups, therapists, or loved ones.
• Practice self-care: Prioritize rest, nutrition, and activities that bring you comfort.
• Journaling: Write down your thoughts and feelings.
• Memorialize your baby: Find meaningful ways to honor their memory.

 Partners grieve too, though they may express it differently. Communicate openly and honestly with each other. Support each other's grieving process, and consider couples counseling. 

• Physical recovery: Ensure your body is fully healed.
• Emotional readiness: Allow yourself time to grieve and heal emotionally.
• Medical consultation: Talk to your doctor about any underlying medical conditions or risks.
• Communicate with your partner: Ensure you are both on the same page.

 This is a personal decision. Choose whom you feel comfortable sharing with. You can keep it simple: "I experienced a pregnancy loss, and I'm taking time to heal." It is also perfectly fine to not tell anyone. 

 Reactions vary. Some will offer sincere support, while others may say insensitive or unhelpful things. Remember that their reactions are not a reflection of your experience.