Jessica Zucker is a clinical psychologist who has been hearing stories of clients’ pregnancy loss for many years.
But when she suffered her own miscarriage three years ago, at 16 weeks into her pregnancy, she began to understand the heartbreaking experience from a whole new perspective.
This week marks the start of Never Forgotten: Mamamia’s Pregnancy Loss Awareness Week. Post continues below.
She realised, for example, that women struggled to talk honestly to one another about loss — a void that risks leaving women feeling alone, unsupported and even ashamed.
“I’ve heard so many people say that people came up to them and said: ‘it’s part of God’s plan, everything happens for a reason, or you’ll have a better outcome next time…” she tells Mamamia.
“People are just so uncomfortable with the topic of pregnancy loss, and so ill-equipped to know what to do, that there just isn’t really any etiquette around it.”
Dr Zucker is now seeking to change all of that. She’s just launched a line of beautiful “empathy cards” specifically meant for women who have endured pregnancy loss, whether in the form of miscarriage, stillbirth or late termination due to health issues.
Top Comments
So I don't know if it's intentional- but the pregnancy card for pregnancy after a loss looks like it has a blood stain on it. Which is a bit sick. Because that's what you really DON'T want to see when you're pregnant after a loss. (Seriously was scared every time I went to the bathroom in case I saw blood- after multiple losses.)
That card would have really upset me when I was pregnant last time, although the sentiment and words are fine and sympathetic.
sometimes people just don't know what is the right thing to say, there is no need to be nasty about it. Be thankful that they had the courage to acknowledge your loss.