We all know that miscarriages are fairly common with 15 to 20 percent of all known pregnancies resulting in a loss. But just because pregnancy loss is common does not in any way diminish the feelings of sadness, anger and grief, among other emotions experienced the concerned women as well as their husbands, families and friends. Physical and emotional challenges must be dealt with after a miscarriage if life can move forward into healing.
Each individual responds differently to a miscarriage in both the physical and emotional aspects. It is important to understand that the following challenges and the ways of dealing with them will differ in every woman. So, we must look at our own experience as our own instead of making comparisons with others.
On a physical level, miscarriage recovery is usually short depending on any additional physical complications. Medical personnel are quick to resolve any issues relating to potential infections but generally the physical recovery is far less complicated than the emotional aspect of miscarriage.
Regardless of the age of the baby when it was lost, many women report experiencing a wide variety of emotions at different times at different intensities including:
• Disbelief
• Grief
• Guilt
• a sense of Failure
• Doubts about femininity
• Anger
• Sadness with feelings of emptiness
• Jealousy of other women with children
• Low self-esteem and self-confidence
• Uncontrollable crying with a few bordering on hysteria
Dealing with the Challenges
You can deal with the emotional challenges after a miscarriage but there are certain steps that must be done in order to arrive at a point of healing. If you have the support of a partner, family and friends, your journey can be easier although I always suggest giving it time. Don’t rush but instead ride with your emotions without letting them control who you are as a person.
Accept the reality of your loss often by honoring the memory of your unborn child;
Allowing your emotions to flow freely without holding back;
Allow yourself to go through the grieving process in your own time;
Finding sources of support to help you through the more difficult days;
Reinvest yourself and your emotional energy in a new hobby or a new interest.
You also have another way in which to deal with the emotional challenges after a miscarriage. You can work through your pain through the book and its accompanying workbook – Beyond Pregnancy Loss – by examining your emotions and then dealing with them in your own personal way.
Talk to you soon
Helen
