Back to School Without a Student

Navigating the world returning to school after a pregnancy loss

One note before we start today: I am looking for your stories for next weeks’ post! As many of you are aware, we are in the midst of a series, exploring ways to grow a family after infertility and loss. Two weeks ago, I shared my experience with adoption. Next week, I will be writing about fertility treatments, including IUI and IVF. If you have had an experience with IVF or IUI, and wish to share a part of your story (or your whole story!), I will feature the stories in the post next week. You can share your story anonymously if you prefer. Simply send me a message by early next week!

Back to School Season

September has always felt like a new beginning to me – the changing of the leaves, turning over my garden, putting the air conditioner away. Even when I was no longer in school myself, and didn’t have a child, this time of year signaled what the New Year often signals for others.

After pregnancy losses, however, September started to remind me of everything I didn’t have, and every child I lost. I can tell you every grade my hopeful child would be entering. I couldn’t fill up pencil boxes, or complete a summer reading list. I couldn’t lay out clothes for the first day of school. Or experience the excitement of meeting a new teacher and classmates.