Breaking the Silence: Understanding Pregnancy and Infant Loss
- Sam McConnell
- May 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 6
Pregnancy and infant loss is one of the most devastating experiences a parent can endure—and yet, it remains one of the least talked about.
In the U.S., 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in loss. Whether it’s an early miscarriage, a stillbirth, or the death of a newborn, these events leave families reeling with shock, pain, and questions. Despite how common this grief is, many parents are left to suffer in silence.
Why Is It So Hard to Talk About Pregnancy and Infant Loss?
There are a lot of reasons why pregnancy and infant loss is surrounded by silence. Culturally, we’re often taught to avoid talking about death—especially when it involves a baby.
Parents may feel ashamed, as if their bodies have failed. Friends and family may not know what to say, so they say nothing at all. Well-meaning comments like “everything happens for a reason” or “you can try again” can feel dismissive and painful.
This silence only adds to the grief. Parents may feel like their baby didn’t matter, or that they’re not allowed to mourn. Many carry the trauma privately, unsure if they have the right to speak up.
The Emotional Toll of Loss
Pregnancy and infant loss is not just a medical event—it’s a profound emotional and psychological trauma.
Grieving parents may experience:
Shock and denial in the early days
Guilt or shame, wondering if they could have prevented the loss
Anger and confusion, especially when they feel their pain is minimized
Long-term sadness, anxiety, or depression
Isolation from peers who haven’t experienced this type of grief
It’s important to recognize that these feelings are not only valid—they are expected. Grief after pregnancy or infant loss is real, lasting, and worthy of support.
Why Breaking the Silence Matters
When we talk about pregnancy and infant loss openly, we give it the dignity it deserves. We help parents know they’re not alone. We challenge the idea that grief has an expiration date or that only certain types of loss “count.”
Open conversations can also lead to better education and prevention. They can shift the way medical providers support grieving families. They create space for remembrance, community, and healing.Most of all, speaking up allows parents to say their (our) child’s name, to share their (our) story, and to honor the love that will always exist—even in loss.
How You Can Help (others going through loss)
You don’t need to have experienced loss to be part of the change. Here are a few ways to help break the silence:
Listen without trying to fix.
Acknowledge every type of loss—including early miscarriage.
Say their baby’s name if you know it.
Educate yourself and others on the realities of pregnancy and infant loss.
Support organizations that provide resources for grieving families.
What Can Help You
If you’re reading this and have experienced a loss: we see you. Your grief is real. Your baby mattered. You don’t have to carry this alone.
✨ Honor Their Memory – Carry their love forward by sharing their story, celebrating their life, and keeping their spirit alive.
✨ Create Meaningful Connections – Support others who are grieving, build community, and offer the compassion you once needed.
✨ Turn Pain into Advocacy – Use your experience to spread awareness, support initiatives, and be a voice for others who feel unheard.
✨ Allow Yourself to Grow – Healing isn’t about forgetting—it’s about evolving. Let your grief teach you, shape you, and guide you toward new perspectives.
✨ Give Yourself Grace – There is no timeline for healing. Finding purpose doesn’t mean leaving grief behind; it means carrying love forward in a way that feels right for you.
At London is the Reason, we’re here to walk beside you—whether you’re ready to share your story, connect with a peer support volunteer, or simply read and breathe in the reminder that your experience is valid. Together, we can turn silence into solidarity. And that is where healing begins.
🕊 If you’d like to share your story or connect with others who understand, click here to share or find support.💜 You are never alone.
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