This page will explain some of the loss terms possibly used by medical staff, and will link into the common birth methods that may be suggested to you, based on the kind of loss you are experiencing (these terms are listed in near-chronological order of loss). From the birth methods page, you will be invited to visit birth planning pages. Birth plans are the options you have within the birth method medically necessary for the birth of your baby. If this is all overwhelming right now and you don’t remember what your doctor told you, you may want to simply start with this link: I’m having a miscarriage.
If your experience is any of these, you are invited to share your story.
Chemical Pregnancy (miscarriage prior to ultrasound)
Honoring Uncertainty (“I maybe miscarried.”)
In addition to our helpful information guided from this page, we hold the stories of mothers and families and place them into specially ordered collections so that you can find even more personalized validation and encouragement. Just locate the “Find Strength Through Our Stories” tab on the right, to find our library of experiences, stories, pain and love.
Inevitable (or Incomplete) Miscarriage
Missed Miscarriage (or “Silent Miscarriage”)
Unexpected Diagnosis (and the right to grieve)
Vanishing Twin/papyraceus
Recurrent Miscarriage (including fertility challenges/parenting options)
Difficult or fatal diagnosis in pregnancy
Living grief (grieving aspects of parenthood, related to children who are alive: includes birth trauma, adoption, surrogacy, menopause)
Stewarding grief (emotional aspects of deciding to limit or inhibit fertility)
Homebirth/ Out of Hospital Loss
Pregnancy Loss after Medically Assisted Conception (or grief after ART)
Child Loss (from toddlers to teens to adults – includes grandparent support)
Living Grief (NICU grief, surrogacy, fostering, adoption, birth trauma, stewarding grief)
Getting Pregnant Again / “Rainbow Pregnancy”/ Rearing after Loss / Tandem Nursing Grief: Rainbow Milk
“Birth plans are the options you have within the birth method.”
