Pregnancy & Infant Loss

This kind of loss can affect both your emotional and physical well-being.

• Physical changes: Your body is recovering from pregnancy. This physical reminder of your loss can make the grieving process feel inescapable.
• Returning to familiar places: A room prepared for the baby, a doctor's office, or time around other families may bring a sudden rush of sadness.
• Different ways of grieving: You and your partner may respond very differently. One person may need to talk while the other becomes quiet or focuses on practical tasks. Neither response measures how much someone cared.

In the days ahead, small choices can give you room to remember your baby and care for yourself.

• Choose a name: If it feels right, you may wish to give your baby a name. Other families prefer not to. Either choice is yours.
• Create a memory box: Gather ultrasound photos, hospital bracelets, a blanket, or a specific meaningful object that represents them.
• Plan for difficult dates: The due date or anniversary may feel especially hard. You might plant a flower, light a candle, take the day off, or decide not to mark the date at all.
• Communicate your needs: Decide with your partner how you want to share the news. It is okay to ask a friend to notify others so you don't have to repeat the story.
• Find small comforts: Keep a comforting item with you, like a smooth stone or a soft piece of fabric, that you can hold when you feel overwhelmed in public.