Postpartum Needs After a Pregnancy Loss

Sunday morning, 10AM, and José and I are getting ready for our annual Oscar Party. But this year is different. This year, I’m cooking, decorating and printing the Oscar prediction ballots while waiting for my miscarriage to complete.

I pin stars with our guests’ names on them along the entryway walls as a rush of hormones makes my skin crawl. I flip the slow-cooker from high to low while my hands cramp. I iron my party dress as my chest tightens and my breath becomes labored.

Is it too early for a shot of whiskey to calm this hormonal tsunami of anxiety?

It’s common knowledge that after labor and delivery (of a living baby), people can experience postpartum mood disorders. It’s not common knowledge that people who experiences pregnancy losses can also experience these same symptoms. Often, they are ignored because pregnancy loss is laden with grief, sadness and anxiety. Even without the hormones.

I also think, however, postpartum needs are ignored because medical providers move on from us. We receive little to no follow-up care. As an OBGYN once told me, “So your miscarriage completed on Sunday? Great. Then there’s nothing more I can do for you.”

But there is a lot more they can do for us. A whole lot more! Subscribe to read more.