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Coping with pregnancy loss
Pregnancy loss is devastating. Here are some ways to cope with your grief and survive the emotional impact of losing a baby.
By Mayo Clinic staffPregnancy loss can be devastating, no matter when it happens or what the circumstances. Your hopes and dreams for your unborn child are dashed. You may feel like you'll never be quite the same again — and you may not be. Experiencing pregnancy loss may change you in profound ways.
But with time comes healing. Here are some ways to cope with your grief and survive the emotional impact of pregnancy loss.
Understanding the grieving process
Your emotions may range from anger to despair. Give yourself the time you need to mourn and accept what's happened.
Grief often happens in stages. You may pass through each stage quickly, linger at some stages or skip others completely. Common stages of grief include:
- Denial. At first, it may be impossible to grasp what's happened. You may find yourself in disbelief.
- Anger. You may be angry at yourself, your spouse or a higher power for letting this happen.
- Guilt. You may wonder if you could have avoided the pregnancy loss by being more careful.
- Depression. Your pain and sorrow may lead to symptoms of depression. These feelings usually go away in time. If your depression is prolonged, you may need professional support.
- Acceptance. Each step in the grieving process brings you closer to acceptance. You'll never forget your baby, but acceptance may ease your pain.
You may have setbacks along the road to acceptance, such as feelings of anger or guilt creeping back after you thought you had moved on. Certain triggers — such as attending a baby shower or seeing a new baby — may be difficult for you to face. That's OK. Excuse yourself from potentially painful situations until you're ready to handle them.
Next page(1 of 2)
- Grieving is a process. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/572_4010.asp. Accessed Aug. 14, 2008.
- Going through grieving. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/572_4047.asp. Accessed Aug. 14, 2008.
- Men and women grieve differently. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/572_4045.asp. Accessed Aug. 14, 2008.
- When you're ready to try again. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/572_4049.asp. Accessed Aug. 14, 2008.
- After a miscarriage: Surviving emotionally. American Pregnancy Association. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyloss/mcsurvivingemotionally.html. Accessed Aug. 14, 2008.
- Stillbirth: Surviving emotionally. American Pregnancy Association. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyloss/sbsurvivingemotionally.html Accessed Aug. 14, 2008.
