What does miscarriage grief feel like to you?
Miscarriage is a broken expectation that is much more common than most people think. Current data shows that one in four pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage. While we often do not know the reason a woman will experience a miscarriage, we do know that it is rarely preventable or predictable. It is always unexpected and often causes deep grief for both expectant woman and man.
A miscarriage is often a concealed grief, as most miscarriages happen in the first trimester, often before other friends and family members even know that you are pregnant. Others may have known, but because the pregnancy was in the first trimester, there was little time to anticipate the birth, therefore their emotional attachment may have seemed smaller or less intense.
The woman and her parenting partner may experience an intense grief, one that can be hard to describe to others.
Perhaps it feels like:
- Heaviness
- Restlessness
- A trance-like state (staring off into nothing for long periods of time)
- Unreal (dream-like)
- Sick to your stomach
- Body Pain
- Lack of focus
- Dizziness or disoriented
- Confusion
- Unable to sleep
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please know that this is a normal process of grief. You are not going crazy. This is a normal part of the grief process. Give yourself time. It’s a journey, not a race. Seek someone to talk to, a close friend or a family member.
If you cannot find a trusted friend, reach out to the Bakersfield Pregnancy Center. We have experienced, trained advocates who can help you navigate the emotional and spiritual process of miscarriage grief. All our services are free and confidential. You are not alone.