Ways to cope when Mother’s Day causes you pain

Most of our visitors to the website have experienced pregnancy loss and have hearts that are hurting. We want you to know that you are remembered this Mother’s Day as the mothers you are, and that we here at APDSA are thinking of you. This post explains some helpful ways to cope with the grief you may be feeling today, and also explains some ways your loved ones can support you. Remember, it is ok to avoid the social media influx of mother’s day pictures, and it’s ok to say no to social and family invitations if you need to.

“There’s simply no ‘right’ way to deal with the conflicting emotions that Mother’s Day brings up.”

Try to remember this today, and be gentle with yourself.

Acknowledging Mothers’ Day after pregnancy loss

It can be hard for family and friends to know how to approach Mothers’ Day when a loved one has lost a baby. This post details some ways of acknowledging the day, and some words you can say to let them know you care and are thinking of them.

As the post mentions, it is important to remember: “Before making the decision, it’s a good idea to consult someone closest to the bereaved, if it’s appropriate to do so, such as a sibling or partner. They may have better insight about whether your loved one is up to receive messages, however well-meant, or whether they prefer to be left to grieve in private.”

Our website section for partners, friends and family could also be helpful.

When You Have Empty Arms on Mother’s Day

With Mothers’ Day coming up, it can be a particularly difficult time for those mothers who have lost their little ones during pregnancy. This post shares some helpful ways to manage the grief during this time. Be gentle with yourself.

If you feel that you may need further support please explore our website, and in particular the Professional Support, Support Services and Coping Strategies sections. Remember that we also have a support forum on the website where you can connect with other people who have been through a similar experience. You can register for the forum here.

International Bereaved Mothers’ Day – There Is No “Only” in Pregnancy Loss

Today is International Bereaved Mothers’ Day, and we here at APDSA are thinking of all those mothers who have loved and lost their little ones during pregnancy. Jenny Albers beautifully describes how losing your baby during pregnancy can often make you question whether you were a mother when you were “only” 6/16/26/36 weeks along. Instead of the word ‘only’, she focuses on the word ‘already’:

“There was a pregnancy that had already progressed to six, or eight, or twenty weeks along.
There was already life as evidenced by two pink lines. The same pink lines that had already alerted a woman to her role as mother.
There was already the sound of a heartbeat, whether it beat for a day, a month, or longer.
There was already a connection between mother and baby.
And there was already love planted deeply in a mother’s heart. A love that had already begun to grow from the moment the first sign of life was displayed in the once empty window of a pregnancy test.”

You can read the full post here.  If you feel that you may need further support please explore our website, and in particular the Professional Support, Support Services and Coping Strategies sections. Remember that we also have a support forum on the website where you can connect with other people who have been through a similar experience. You can register for the forum here.