How Common is Pregnancy Loss?

According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), early pregnancy loss is a common experience; happening in about 10 of 100 known pregnancies. The Institute for Reproductive Grief Care reports that complicated grief reactions follow some pregnancy losses, such as miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death. Stigma can delay treatment and lead to social isolation of the grieving person.

Those that have experienced the loss of a pregnancy or an infant can be left to cope with a myriad of symptoms and emotions, such as anger, sadness, guilt, difficulty sleeping or loss of appetite. There may even be a sense of relief to those that learned of complications with their child’s health prior to the loss.

In 2023, New York State passed a bill that mandates the provision of informational pamphlets by maternal healthcare providers to those experiencing pregnancy loss or infant loss explaining what to expect and resources to help them navigate through the healing process. This has been an important step toward validating the physical, emotional and spiritual challenges associated with pregnancy and infant loss.

Abortion is also a type of reproductive/pregnancy loss that warrants acknowledgement. The non-profit organization, Support After Abortion, reports that 75% of women and men that have experienced loss through abortion desire support afterward. Abortion may be a painful experience with complicated emotions like anger, regret, grief, guilt, anxiety or depression. Those emotions may cause people to behave uncharacteristically. The connection between negative emotions and behaviors to an abortion experience are often not made right away. They can occur within those who’ve experienced abortion recently, as well as those that have been suffering for years or decades.

If you have experienced the pain of losing a child at any stage of pregnancy or early life, please know that Soundview is here for you and you do not need to grieve alone. You can participate in Soundview’s confidential Reproductive Loss Care by calling 888-709-3227. You can also receive free and confidential support by calling 833-852-6262 or texting “TLCMAMA” to the same number.