One of the many questions that occupy our consciousness after a miscarriage is: “Why did this medically occur?” This page includes links to resources created by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the March of Dimes to help you investigate the why, how, & what do I do now of miscarriage and pregnancy loss.
Sifting through reputable sources can be comforting because true facts about miscarriage always lead you back to a core statement that most likely YOU did NOTHING to cause the loss of your pregnancy.
Only a small percent of women (1%) have repeated miscarriages. Information, in this regard, can be powerful because it provides us with empirical evidence that we are not at fault and the information offers welcome hope.
Please note that conclusive answers of “why” cannot usually be offered with early pregnancy loss. Most often miscarriage is a “random event” when an “embryo receives an abnormal number of chromosomes” (ACOG FAQ090).
The following links will lead you to specific information about pregnancy loss from respected sources. This page will constantly evolve as I add resources. I encourage you to always visit trusted sources while you gather information.
Miscarriage | Early Pregnancy Loss: Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation.
http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Early-Pregnancy-Loss-Miscarriage
http://www.marchofdimes.org/loss/miscarriage.aspx
An overview of Repeated Miscarriages : Repeated miscarriage is defined as having 2 or more miscarriages. Only 1% of females will have repeated miscarriages.
http://www.marchofdimes.org/loss/repeat-miscarriages.aspx
http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Repeated-Miscarriages
Stillbirth: Stillbirth is the loss of a baby after 20 weeks in the womb. Still births occur in 1/160 pregnancies.
http://www.marchofdimes.org/loss/stillbirth.aspx
Treatment after a Miscarriage:
http://www.marchofdimes.org/loss/treatment-after-miscarriage.aspx
D&C:
http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Dilation-and-Curettage-DandC
Ectopic Pregnancy:
http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Ectopic-Pregnancy
Molar Pregnancy:
http://www.marchofdimes.org/loss/molar-pregnancy.aspx
Hysterectomy:
http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Hysterectomy
Dealing with Grief: Please…take time to grieve.
http://www.marchofdimes.org/loss/dealing-with-grief.aspx
http://www.marchofdimes.org/loss/from-hurt-to-healing.aspx
http://www.marchofdimes.org/loss/dealing-with-the-unexpected.aspx
http://www.marchofdimes.org/loss/dealing-with-your-grief.aspx
Remembering Your Baby:
http://www.marchofdimes.org/loss/remembering-your-baby.aspx
Helpful Organizations:
- Bethany Christian Services: A global non-profit that offers to those who have infertility or have experienced pregnancy loss. Subscribe to Stepping Stones Newsletter.
- Through the Heart: A national 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering education & support for all types of pregnancy loss including miscarriage & stillbirth. Please visit their information about “comfort kits.”
http://www.throughtheheart.org
- Miscarriage Matters: A web-based 501(c)3 nonprofit offering global support to mothers and fathers devastated by Miscarriage, Stillbirth & Early Infant Loss. This organization offers a “live chat” option so that you can talk with someone about your loss.
http://www.mymiscarriagematters.com/
Recommended Books:
Drake, Teske. (2012). Hope for today; Promises for tomorrow. Kregal Publications.
Lucado, Max. (2013). You’ll get through this: Hope and help for your turbulent times. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
MacArthur, John. (2003). Safe in the Arms of God: Truth from Heaven about the Death of a Child. Thomas Nelson.
Saake, Jennifer. (2005). Hannah’s hope: Seeking God’s heart in the midst of infertility, miscarriage, and adoption loss. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.
Support Group:
I invite you to join our support group on FB. Please follow this link and ask to join our private tribe Loved Baby Support & Encouragement Group.
Sarah Lewis Philpott, Ph.D lives in TN on a sprawling cattle farm where she raises her two mischievous children and is farm wife to her high school sweetheart. Sarah is represented by The Blythe Daniel Literary Agency . You can visit with Sarah at her All-American Mom blog where she writes about life on the farm and cherishing life in joy & in sorrow. She invites mothers of loss to join the Loved Baby Christian Pregnancy Loss Support & Encouragement .
I cannot imagine having a miscarriage and I hope I never do go thru it… but these are great resources
Thank you Terri.
This is very helpful. I didn’t know where to turn when I had a pregnancy loss and it was a very sad, dark, and lonely time for me, so this is good information for others.
This list is SO HELPFUL whether someone has experienced a miscarriage personally or not. Because when we know someone who is going through it, then it’s a blessing to know how to walk with someone through extremely difficult circumstances. Thank you for putting this list together.
Natalie, thank you for your response! Yes, I hope this list does help women going through a loss, but also the loved ones surrounding her.
This is a wonderful list of resources! I know many women who have experienced pregnancy loss and now I have this to pass on to them.
Rebekah, I am so glad you found the list useful! I hope the blog can be useful to your friends. Thank you for taking time to respond.
I have a weak cervix and my first child died as a result of this. She was born around 18 weeks. I had to have cerclages with my other 2 daughters. I suggest that you write a post about incompetent cervix to bring more awareness. God bless.
Angel- I am so sorry for your loss. That is an excellent suggestion. I will do some research and add this to the list. Thank you so much for taking time to respond.
I am a volunteer dispatcher for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep organization which offers free Remembrance Photography for any baby who will never come home from the hospital. Just wanted to share for anyone who may find this a need. I have 5 Angel babies in Heaven waiting for me. I find comfort knowing they are with Jesus. http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org
Thank you so much for reaching out. I’ve heard wonderful things about your organization. I’ll add you to the list of resources.