Recovering mentally from a miscarriage is a different experience for everyone. Some mothers can manage themselves well, while others suffer from the pain and loss years after what happened. How can mothers cope with a miscarriage, and what can mothers do so that they can move on from losing their baby? Read on to find out more.
Recovering mentally from a miscarriage
For any expectant mother, a miscarriage is a heartbreaking tragedy. A miscarriage deeply affects a woman, and it can have an impact not just on her physical health, but also her mental health.
After a miscarriage, it’s not uncommon for women to feel emotions such as anger, disappointment, guilt, and frustration1. Some women even feel scared or worried that if they get pregnant again, they might suffer another miscarriage. It can even cause a rift in her relationships, and it can sometimes drive couples apart.
This is why miscarriages, no matter how early they happen, should not be dismissed or taken lightly. Every woman handles grief and loss differently, and recovering mentally from a miscarriage takes both time and effort2.
Here are some things to remember when it comes to recovering mentally from a miscarriage.
Let yourself feel sadness
Sadness is usually viewed as a negative emotion, but this doesn’t mean that you should avoid it entirely. If you feel like you want to cry or you just want to be sad after your loss, then by all means, do so.
You shouldn’t force yourself to be happy or to feel “okay” especially if you don’t feel those emotions at all. It doesn’t matter if a month has passed, or even a few years; if you still feel sad about your miscarriage, that’s totally fine. It is a normal part of the grieving process and should not be avoided3.
Talk about it with people you love and trust
Sometimes, talking about a traumatic experience helps you deal with it better. In the case of a miscarriage, it can help if you go through your feelings with your partner, your close friends, or your family members.
This is not only cathartic, but it also helps you better process your grief and helps you move on from what happened.
If you’re not yet ready to talk about it with other people, then you can write down your feelings and whatever might be on your mind. Having a diary can also help, especially since it allows you to keep track of your feelings every day, and how you’re coping with what happened.
Give it time
There’s a saying that goes, “Time heals all wounds,” and the same is true for people who have had a miscarriage. There’s no need to rush the grieving process, and you should not be in a hurry to feel “better.” Take things one day at a time, and don’t worry if it takes you months or even years before you can move on4.
Commemorate your baby
Making a reminder of your loss might seem counterintuitive, but keeping the memory of your baby alive can help give you some closure. You can have a small ceremony with some friends and loved ones, you can also write a letter to your baby, letting them know about your feelings.
It doesn’t have to be anything grand, just a small gathering, or even just you and your partner can commemorate your baby5.
Don’t hesitate to seek professional help
Lastly, don’t hesitate to seek help from a licensed therapist, counselor, or doctor. Grief and loss affect people differently, and some people might have a hard time dealing with the experience and might need professional help.
In addition, you can also look for support groups catering to women who have had miscarriages. Finding a group of people who have had similar experiences and moved on from the loss can help give you hope that someday you will also be able to move on.
Learn more about Mother Care and Mental Health here.
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