Dealing with a miscarriage is emotionally taxing, and a woman may benefit from emotional support during this time. Often, the best sources of miscarriage support are a woman’s family and friends. In some cases, however, a woman may not get as much support as she needs from this source. In such a case, she may opt to join a support group for women who’ve experienced miscarriages or seek post-miscarriage support from a professional counselor. Additionally, men may seek support from the same sources, as expectant fathers may also need emotional support after a loss.
When a woman has a miscarriage, one of the best sources of miscarriage support may be understanding family and friends. Since these people may know the woman best, they may be in a position to understand her manner of grieving and provide the kind of support she needs. Sometimes, however, family members and friends are unable to provide the type of support a woman needs. They may advise her move on, stop taking it so hard, or try again. Depending on the stage of grieving the woman has reached, such comments may be hard to hear and she may decide to seek support elsewhere.
Sometimes a woman who has experienced pregnancy loss may benefit from joining a miscarriage support group. Talking with other women who have been through the same sort of situations may prove healing for some women. A woman may also get ideas about ways to cope with loss from women who’ve dealt with it themselves. Additionally, support group members may provide some suggestions for helping family members and friends understand pregnancy-loss grief and be more supportive.
Sometimes a woman may turn to a professional counselor for miscarriage support. For example, a therapist may prove helpful if a woman doesn’t receive the support she needs from other sources. Therapy may also help, however, when a woman doesn’t seem to be progressing through her grief. For example, some women may lose interest in everyday activities after a miscarriage or have difficulty returning to their normal mental state. In such a case, therapy may help them to heal emotionally.
Men are often overlooked when it comes to miscarriages. They may, however, experience grief when a partner experiences pregnancy loss. Men may also do well to seek miscarriage support from family members, friends, and support groups. In some cases, therapy, either with a partner or alone, may help as well.