What are the emotions you’ll experience after a miscarriage?
After the initial shock of losing your baby, a range of emotions can be expected, and they’re all natural and healthy. Mathis shares, “Women may experience a mix of emotions including, but certainly not limited to, grief, shame, anger, hopelessness, and even jealously of other pregnant women.” A period of mourning is common and often accompanied by the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance – but not always. “There isn’t one ‘right’ way to process grief, so I discourage women from comparing themselves to other women who may have experienced their grief differently,” she advises.
How do you begin to cope with the loss?
Handling your emotions, and eventually coming to terms with your loss, is easier said than done. While some women feel ready to return to everyday life shortly after a miscarriage, others may be unable to eat or sleep and feel stuck in their grief for months. “No matter how you choose to work through the grief, I believe that all women can benefit from normalizing their experience and giving themselves some self-compassion,” Mathis shares. “Find someone to talk to, like a family member or close friend, who makes you feel safe and who gives you time to process the loss in your own way.”
In some cases, additional support outside of friends and family may be needed. If feelings of depression or anxiety are interfering with your daily life, it’s important to check in with a professional, like a mental health practitioner, who can help you find healthy ways to move forward. Peer support groups can also be invaluable in coping with loss. “Support groups provide a safe space for women to talk about their grief honestly and openly with women who have had similar experiences,” Mathis says.