What do I do if I think I am having a pregnancy loss?
If you believe you are experiencing pregnancy loss, contact your provider as soon as possible. Due to the complex nature of pregnancy loss, the management and treatment options offered to you should be based on diagnostic results and current guideline recommendations and should include social and emotional support.
More advanced pregnancy loss may have more complex management including second trimester abortion or induction of labor. Your provider will explain your options and together you will make a choice of what is the best course of care.
It’s important to note that pregnancy loss can result in a medical emergency due to excessive bleeding (hemorrhage) or an infection (sepsis). These can happen weeks after an initial miscarriage. That’s why it’s important to get medical care to ensure that the miscarriage is complete.
In Massachusetts, treatment for pregnancy loss is legal at any stage of pregnancy.
How do I know if I’m ready to get pregnant again after a loss?
Deciding whether and when to try for another pregnancy after a loss is deeply personal. You may want to try again soon, or you may not feel ready. All feelings are valid and normal. If you want to get pregnant again, it is important to discuss your prior loss with your provider. They may suggest certain treatments to prevent the possibility of another loss.
What if I lose another pregnancy?
If you believe you are experiencing another pregnancy loss, it is important to contact your provider as soon as possible. You may find that each pregnancy loss is managed a different way. You may have different options for the management of pregnancy loss and your provider should discuss the pros and cons of each, so you can make an informed decision about what is right for you.
Recurrent pregnancy loss is a complex issue, and the causes and treatment options are not yet fully understood. More research is needed to fully understand these causes and to develop more effective treatment. Each loss should be evaluated by your provider, and recurrent losses should be evaluated by a reproductive health specialist.
Recurrent pregnancy loss can be traumatic to your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, it is important to talk with your provider about any physical concerns and ask for a referral for emotional and grief supports.
Emotional support during pregnancy loss
It’s important to ensure you have the emotional and community support that you need. Research has shown that pregnancy loss is seen as solely physical health issue. However, its mental and emotional impact can be even more serious.
The emotional response to a pregnancy loss can include anger, fear, sadness, shame and other feelings related to grief and bereavement. These feelings may last a few weeks to a year or more. Grief over a pregnancy loss can surge at unexpected times, such as around the expected due date of that pregnancy or other important dates. Daily activities such as seeing other babies, pregnant people or baby clothes and toys can also trigger feelings of grief. Your other children, partner, close family members, or friends may also be impacted by these feelings.
If you or someone you know has been impacted by pregnancy loss, it’s important to seek support. Below is a list of local community resources for individuals and families who may have experienced pregnancy loss.
Loss & grief resources
Helplines
- Massachusetts Chapter of Postpartum Support International (PSI)
1-800-944-4773 (#1 En Español or #2 in English)
Text in English: 800-944-4773
Text en Español: 971-203-7773
This Helpline can provide you with support and resources. You will be asked to leave a confidential message and a trained and caring volunteer will return your call or text. - Loss & Grief in Pregnancy & Postpartum | PSI
- Perinatal Mental Health Discussion Tool for Parents Experiencing Loss | PSI
Support groups and counseling
- Propa City Community Outreach
- The EMA Project Inc.
- AllPaths Family Building
- Massachusetts Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Groups
- General Counseling Services | Native American LifeLines
- Find a Support Group | RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
- The TEARS Foundation
- Resources for Twinless Twins
- Blog Articles About Grief and Loss - What's Your Grief
- Reproductive Facts offers currently known information on fertility, reproductive health, contraception, and pregnancy.
- Accessing Abortion Care in Massachusetts
- Avoid Anti-Abortion Centers: Please note that “crisis pregnancy centers” do not provide comprehensive medical care for people experiencing a pregnancy loss.
Miscarriage resources
- Massachusetts Miscarriage Resources
- Miscarriage Management | Boston Medical Center
- Information and Support Following Miscarriage | BIDMC of Boston
- Miscarriage, loss, and grief | March of Dimes
- Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline
Sibling grief resources
If you have other children who knew about the pregnancy, it is important to talk to them, explain what has happened, and support their process of grief and bereavement. There are many resources that can support these conversations depending on the child’s age, development, and other factors.