A Message for You

We are so sorry for your loss. We know that no words can take away the pain, but please know you are not alone. Missing Pieces Support Group was created by people who have walked this path, and we are here to provide comfort, community, and resources to support you during this time. We are here for you.

FAQs

After experiencing pregnancy loss, many parents encounter unfamiliar medical jargon used by doctors, nurses, and medical professionals. Understanding these words can help provide clarity during a deeply emotional and overwhelming time.

Types of Pregnancy Loss
  • Miscarriage: Sometimes called a spontaneous abortion, a miscarriage is the natural loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation.
  • Early miscarriage: A loss before 13 weeks or in the first trimester.
  • Late miscarriage: A loss in the second trimester but before 20 weeks.
  • Missed Miscarriage: A pregnancy loss where the baby has passed away but has not yet been expelled from the uterus. Options for management include inducing labor, a D&C procedure, or waiting for the body to recognize the loss naturally.
  • Blighted Ovum: A type of miscarriage where a fertilized egg implants in the uterus but does not develop into an embryo.
  • Incomplete Miscarriage: A miscarriage where some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus, sometimes requiring medical or surgical intervention.
  • Threatened Miscarriage: When there is bleeding in early pregnancy, but the cervix remains closed, meaning the pregnancy may or may not continue.
  • Inevitable Miscarriage: When the cervix has opened, and miscarriage is certain to occur.
  • Septic Miscarriage: A miscarriage complicated by infection, which can cause fever, chills, and abdominal pain, requiring immediate medical treatment.
  • Ectopic Pregnancy: A pregnancy that implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. This type of pregnancy is not viable and requires medical intervention. Symptoms may include pain, cramping, and vaginal bleeding.
  • Molar Pregnancy: A pregnancy where an abnormal mass of cells grows in the uterus instead of a baby. It mimics pregnancy symptoms and produces high levels of HCG but is not a viable pregnancy.
  • Chemical Pregnancy: A very early pregnancy loss that occurs before the pregnancy can be detected via ultrasound, often just after a missed period.
  • Stillbirth: The loss of a pregnancy at or after 20 weeks of gestation.
  • Fetal Demise: A medical term for the death of a baby in the womb at any stage of pregnancy.
Pregnancy Complication
  • Anencephaly: A severe birth defect where a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull, often leading to a life-limiting prognosis.
  • Life-Limiting Condition: A medical diagnosis that limits a baby’s survival, often leading to passing shortly after birth.
  • Placental Abruption: A condition where the placenta detaches from the uterus before delivery, which can cause pregnancy loss.
  • Preterm Labor: Labor that begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy, which can lead to complications for the baby.
  • Incompetent Cervix (Cervical Insufficiency): A condition where the cervix begins to open too early in pregnancy, increasing the risk of miscarriage or preterm birth.
  • Cervical Cerclage: A procedure where the cervix is stitched closed to help prevent miscarriage or preterm labor in cases of cervical insufficiency.
  • Placenta Previa: A condition where the placenta covers the cervix, increasing the risk of severe bleeding, preterm birth, or pregnancy loss.
  • Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR): A condition where the baby does not grow at the expected rate, increasing the risk of stillbirth and other complications.
  • Placental Abruption: The placenta detaches from the uterus before birth, cutting off oxygen and nutrients to the baby.
  • Preeclampsia: A pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of organ damage, usually affecting the liver or kidneys. It can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby if left untreated.
  • HELLP Syndrome: A severe form of preeclampsia that affects the liver and blood cells, increasing the risk of preterm birth, placental abruption, and stillbirth.
Medical Terms & Procedures
  • D&C (Dilation and Curettage): A surgical procedure to remove pregnancy tissue from the uterus after a miscarriage or pregnancy loss.
  • D&E (Dilation and Evacuation): A surgical procedure used to remove pregnancy tissue in the second trimester.
  • RhoGAM: An injection given to Rh-negative mothers after pregnancy loss to prevent complications in future pregnancies.
  • hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin): A hormone produced during pregnancy, often tested to confirm pregnancy viability.
  • Progesterone: A hormone important for maintaining pregnancy. Low levels may be associated with early miscarriage.
  • TFMR (Termination for Medical Reasons): A term used when a pregnancy is ended due to a medical diagnosis that makes survival unlikely or poses serious risks to the mother’s health.
Grief & Bereavement Terms
  • Loss: The absence of a person or possession, with its significance defined by the individual experiencing it.
  • Grief: The emotional response to a loss, unique to each person.
  • Mourning: The outward expression of grief, shaped by cultural customs and traditions.
  • Bereavement: The state of experiencing a loss, encompassing both grief and mourning.
  • Bereavement Period: The personal timeframe in which an individual processes and adjusts to life after loss.
  • Perinatal Grief: The deep sorrow following the loss of a pregnancy or infant.
Perinatal & Neonatal Terms
  • Perinatal: The period from conception to 28 days after birth.
  • Neonate: A newborn baby.
  • Neonatal Period: The first 28 days of a baby’s life.
  • Perinatal Period: The time between conception and birth.
  • Perinatal Loss: A loss occurring at any point during the perinatal period, including miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death.
  • Gestation: The process of pregnancy, measured in weeks.
Support & Care Options
  • Perinatal Hospice: A support service for parents continuing a pregnancy despite a life-limiting diagnosis for their baby, offering comfort care after birth.

Grief after pregnancy loss is deeply personal and can feel overwhelming. You may not “get past” this, but you can learn to live with it. Grief doesn’t follow a set timeline, and some days will feel heavier than others. The key to healing is learning to walk alongside your grief, rather than allowing it to consume you.

The Complexities of Perinatal Grief

Perinatal grief is especially complex, as it often involves a silent loss—one that may not be openly acknowledged or understood by others. This lack of recognition can leave parents feeling isolated, as though the world is moving on while they are still holding onto their grief.

The emotions that come with perinatal loss can be confusing and contradictory. You may experience sorrow, love, anger, longing, and even moments of joy. All of these feelings are valid, and there is no “right” way to grieve.

Grieving More Than Just the Baby

Beyond mourning the loss of a baby, perinatal grief also includes grieving the dreams, plans, and identity shifts that come with parenthood. The process of working through this grief can be emotionally, psychologically, and socially challenging. It involves accepting the reality of the loss, processing the pain, adjusting to life without your baby, and finding new ways to create meaning and connection.

Healing: A Journey, Not a Destination

Healing from perinatal loss does not mean forgetting. It means carrying both love and grief together in a way that allows you to move forward while honoring your baby’s memory. Some days will be harder than others, and significant dates—like anniversaries or due dates—may bring waves of grief. Over time, you will learn how to carry this loss in a way that makes space for both remembrance and hope.

For assistance with coping with your grief, Missing Pieces Support Group is here and ready to help. Here are some ways we can support you:

  • Request a Care Package: A thoughtful, personalized care package to offer comfort and acknowledgment during this difficult time.

  • Find Your Loss Support: Explore our in-person and virtual support groups where you can connect with others who understand your experience.

  • Explore Our Resources: Access helpful articles, podcasts, books and more to help you navigate grief and loss.

We are here to walk alongside you as you find healing.

Pregnancy loss can affect your body in many ways, and recovery is unique for each individual.

Bleeding & Pain

  • Bleeding: The amount and duration can vary based on the stage of pregnancy and whether the loss occurred naturally or with medical intervention.

  • Pain: Your uterus will contract as it returns to its normal size, which can cause discomfort similar to intense menstrual cramps. Pain may also radiate to your back and thighs.

When to Seek Medical Help: Contact your doctor if you experience heavy bleeding (soaking through a pad in an hour), large clots, severe pain that is not relieved by medication, or signs of infection (fever, chills, foul-smelling discharge).

Hormonal Changes

After a pregnancy loss, hormones that supported your pregnancy—including estrogen, progesterone, oxytocin, prolactin, and hCG—will decrease. This shift can result in:

  • Mood Swings & Irritability

  • Fatigue & Insomnia

  • Hot Flashes & Night Sweats

  • Increased Anxiety or Depression

Many individuals describe feeling “out of control” emotionally in the days or weeks following a loss. This is a normal response to the combined effects of hormonal shifts and grief. If these symptoms become overwhelming, reach out for support. The risk of postpartum depression is higher following perinatal loss.

For more specific information, please visit these pages:

Thank you to ELPA and Poppyseed Project for generously sharing their valuable information with us. All information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, mitigate, or cure any symptoms or disease.