Miscarriage is a scary word. A word nobody wants to hear. But a word that millions of women each year experience .
During Pregnancy and Infant Loss and Awareness week , we're listening to the stories of women who have experienced miscarriage, and sharing their heartbreak, wisdom, and experience. "Too many families grieve in silence," the organization behind the awareness campaign notes. We're honored to help tell some of those stories. You are not alone.
Thousands of women have shared their own miscarriage stories over social media in recent years, finally giving voice to an experience too often hushed and hidden behind closed doors. We've collected insights and reflection from women who have experienced miscarriage.
Here's seven things they want you to know:
1. Though uncommon after the first trimester , miscarriage can happen to anyone. You are not alone.
2. There are no words that can make it better—but women who have experienced miscarriage or infant loss still cherish your compassionate support, presence and love.
3. Many miscarriages may be hidden, but mothers feel forever changed.
4. Faith, hope, or trust in a higher power can help some women heal.
5. They want their little ones to be remembered.
6. More women (and men ) are sharing their stories through social media .
December 21, 2011: I met and said goodbye to my first baby, Hazel. I didn't know she was a girl until later, but when we met her, the name just fit. We held her and cried over her that day. We even got her tiny little prints and took photos of her. **she was perfect in every way, how could something so beautiful leave this world?** I found out she passed on a week before and I was inconsolable. I felt empty, alone, out of my mind. I was heartbroken in the simplest terms. �Would I ever have a healthy baby?� It took me a very long time to emotionally recover, but the ability to meet her gave me closure and for that I'm so thankful. � I had anxiety during my following pregnancies. I felt unattached, guarded, paranoid. It only came full circle when Violet was born, and she was healthy, beautiful. It broke my heart again to think that Hazel might have been a little like her. Today, it's been 4 years since I was pregnant with Hazel. Pregnancy loss is unexplainable. Once you go through it, you're never the same. I am thankful for my two beautiful children I have, not a day goes by without being reminded how lucky I am. � October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Pregnancy loss affects 1 in 4 women. I wanted to share my story to help others experiencing a loss to know you're not alone, and you will get through this and grow from it. A photo posted by Christa + #violetandvale (@christajanel) on
Oct 10, 2015 at 8:38pm PDT 7. There are many supportive communities and programs that want to help, including October 15th's wave of light .
The Love Elijah Project: A post office box set up for mothers and fathers who have lost their babies or children to miscarriages, abortion, still birth, sids, or any other tragic event. Here you can send any memories, regrets, artwork, postcards, letters, birthday cards, ANYTHING to honor your babies and children. love,elijah 14900 e. Orange lake blvd Kissimmee fl 34747 #209 (this is a locked p.o. box that only one person has access to) You can mail in complete confidence that your mail will be kept confidential unless you would like to share. If you chose to share, please include the hash tag #loveelijah somewhere on your package and it will be shared on instagram on our love, Elijah page to help encourage mothers and fathers to talk about the loss of their children. #loveelijah #imissyouelijah #iloveyou #infantloss #infantlossawareness #infantlossawarenessmonth #abortion #sids #miscarriages #sidsawareness #sidsawarenessmonth #miscarriageawareness #stillbirth #stillborn #eptopicpregnancy #childless #sunflowersmakemethinkofyou #captureyourgrief #whathealsyou A photo posted by kelly airhart (@iamkindblog) on
Oct 11, 2015 at 7:12am PDT