25 Navigating Silent Grief: Understanding Miscarriage and Stillbirth in Modern Society
Paige Lockwood
Author Biography
Paige Lockwood is a family-oriented freshman at Utah State University. She is the youngest of four kids, and her family drives her to be successful. This essay was dedicated to her sister, who went through the grief of a miscarriage. She felt there wasn’t enough help or awareness for grieving mothers. Paige is currently working part-time and going to school to study Marketing.
Writing Reflection
Writing “Navigating the Silent Grief: Understanding Miscarriage and Stillbirth in Modern Society” was an emotional and enlightening journey. The most challenging aspect was discussing the emotional depth and personal stories, aiming to honor the experiences authentically without overstepping personal boundaries. I learned about the silent grief many endure, enhancing my empathy and understanding of miscarriage and stillbirth’s complex societal and medical nuances. I chose this topic to shed light on the often-ignored pain and to advocate for more open conversations and better support systems. My goal is for readers to recognize the profound impact of these losses and to encourage a more compassionate dialogue around them, helping to break the pervasive silence and stigma.
This essay was composed in March 2024 and uses MLA documentation.
I was In the living room laughing and playing games with my little cousin when I saw a group of people walking towards me, All familiar faces and more specifically faces I love. The leader of the pack trailing in front was my beautiful sister and behind her was the rest of my family. My sister’s face grinning bigger than I’ve seen before, My family closely behind with phones recording for what was about to happen, My sister pulls out a pregnancy test and starts to cry of joy telling me shes pregnant. Eight weeks later the crying is no longer joy, it’s complete devastation as she now had to change her news to the reality of miscarriage. Miscarriage and stillbirth represent profound losses that touch many families worldwide, yet they are often enveloped in silence and stigma. These experiences, defined by the loss of a pregnancy before and after 20 weeks gestation, respectively, carry significant emotional burdens for those affected. This literature review aims to explore the complexities of miscarriage and stillbirth, including their medical causes, societal stigma, and the multifaceted nature of grieving, to foster a deeper understanding and support for those affected.
Causes of Miscarriage and Stillbirth
The issue of miscarriage and stillbirth is important due to its prevalence and profound emotional impact on individuals and families. Miscarriage, defined as the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation, affects approximately 10-20% of known pregnancies, while stillbirth, the loss of a baby after 20 weeks gestation, occurs in approximately 1 in every 160 pregnancies. Despite these statistics, misconceptions and misunderstandings persist, contributing to feelings of isolation and shame among those who have experienced these losses. Dr. Natalie Crawford, a respected board-certified OGBYN and REI practitioner, shares insightful information on miscarriage causes in a TikTok video. As the co-founder of Fora Fertility in Austin, Texas, her expertise in fertility medicine lends credibility to her message. She highlights that the primary cause of miscarriage, whether it’s a chemical pregnancy or not, is often attributed to random genetic abnormalities. Dr. Crawford simplifies the complex concept, explaining how these abnormalities can result in improper chromosome alignment during ovulation. She also underscores the impact of age-related factors.This perspective is echoed by the Mayo Clinic, which outlines additional factors such as maternal health and environmental influences. Mayo Foundation for medical education and research said “Most miscarriages happen during the first trimester of pregnancy, which is about the first 13 weeks.”
Societal Perceptions and Stigma
The societal stigma surrounding miscarriage and stillbirth contributes significantly to the silence and isolation felt by those grieving. The Instagram account of The Miscarriage Doula offers a poignant look at this phenomenon, providing a platform where loss is acknowledged openly and emotions are validated. Through its posts, the account challenges the pervasive silence, offering a space for stories and feelings that are often left unspoken. Similarly, the March of Dimes addresses the societal perception that such losses are a private or even shameful matter, advocating instead for open discussion and recognition of these experiences as part of a broader societal issue. These sources highlight the damaging impact of stigma, which can prevent individuals from seeking the support they need, perpetuating feelings of isolation and misunderstanding.
These efforts are vital in highlighting the damaging impact of stigma, which not only isolates individuals but can also prevent them from seeking the support and understanding they desperately need. By having feelings of isolation and misunderstanding, societal stigma involved the healing process and obscures the prevalence and significance of these experiences. Recognizing miscarriage and stillbirth as part of the human experience requires a cultural shift towards empathy, openness, and support, encouraging individuals to share their stories without fear of judgment or dismissal. This approach not only aids in healing but also fosters a more inclusive and compassionate society where all forms of loss are acknowledged and respected. Through continuous advocacy and by providing platforms for open conversation there is a growing movement to dismantle the barriers of silence and stigma, paving the way for a more understanding and supportive community.
Grieving Process and Coping Strategies
The grieving process for miscarriage and stillbirth is deeply personal and varies widely among individuals. Morgan Golding’s podcast, “To the Broken Hearted Mom Grieving a Stillborn Baby,” and Alan Wolfelt’s book, Healing Your Grieving Heart after Miscarriage, provide insightful perspectives on coping with such profound losses. Golding emphasizes the importance of acknowledging grief and offers practical advice for navigating the emotional turmoil following the loss of a baby. Wolfelt introduces the concept of “companioning” the bereaved, suggesting that healing comes not from attempting to ‘fix’ the grief but through understanding, patience, and shared sorrow. Both sources advocate for the importance of personal healing journeys and the need for supportive communities to aid in the grieving process.
Medical Understanding and Perspectives
Recent scholarly works, including Emily Harris’s article in JAMA on worsening maternal mortality rates and research by the Mayo Clinic, shed light on the medical community’s understanding of miscarriage and stillbirth causes. Harris highlights the alarming trend of increasing maternal deaths, while the Mayo Clinic and the article by Narayan and Nelson-Piercy in Clinical Medicine offer insights into medical complications and risk factors associated with pregnancy loss. These sources reveal conflicts and emerging research trends, such as the impact of pre-existing medical conditions and the importance of comprehensive prenatal care. They underscore the need for ongoing research to improve understanding and care for those at risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. These scholarly works show the complex interplay between individual health conditions and health care challenges. They stress the critical importance of comprehensive prenatal care, which encompasses not only medical interventions but also supportive services that address social determinants of health. The findings point towards the necessity for ongoing research that not only seeks to understand the reasons behind miscarriage and stillbirth but also evaluates the effectiveness of health care practices and policies involving these risks.
Conclusion
Breaking the silence surrounding miscarriage and stillbirth is crucial for providing support to affected individuals and families. This literature review underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding, open discussions, and community support to navigate the complex landscape of grief associated with these losses. Future research should focus on addressing the gaps in medical knowledge, societal perceptions, and support mechanisms to mitigate the impact of these profound losses. As society moves towards greater openness and understanding, it is hoped that individuals experiencing miscarriage and stillbirth will find themselves less isolated and more supported through their grieving process. Looking at the bigger picture, how can women openly talk and get advice on such a hard topic?
Works Cited
Harris, Emily. “US Maternal Mortality Continues to Worsen.” JAMA, JAMA Network, 18 Apr. 2023, jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2803272.
Healing Your Grieving Heart after Miscarriage: 100 Practical Ideas for Parents and Families (the 100 Ideas Series): Wolfelt, Alan D.: 9781617222184: Amazon.Com: Books, www.amazon.com/Healing-Grieving-Heart-After-Miscarriage/dp/16172221 86. Accessed 4 Apr. 2024.
“The Miscarriage Doula.” The Miscarriage Doula, themiscarriagedoula.co/. Accessed 4 Apr. 2024.
“Miscarriage.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 8 Sept. 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/sym ptoms-causes/syc-20354298.
Narayan, Bhaskar, and Catherine Nelson-Piercy. “Medical Problems in Pregnancy.” Clinical Medicine (London, England), U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6297557/.
Proffitt, Ashlee. “To the Brokenhearted Mom Grieving an Infant Loss.” The Morning, The Morning, 29 July 2022, www.themorning.com/blog/to-the-brokenhearted-mom-grieving-an-infant-loss.
“Stillbirth.” March of Dimes, www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/miscarriage-loss-grief/stillbirt h. Accessed 4 Apr. 2024.
TikTok, www.tiktok.com/@nataliecrawfordmd/video/6894688725045988613. Accessed 4 Apr. 2024.
