Pregnancy Loss & Grief
Counselling for pregnancy loss and grief in South Surrey and BC
Holding a space, for the space you are in.
FIND YOUR ANCHOR
MEANING AFTER LOSS
"Some say you are too painful to remember.
I say you are too precious to forget."
- Unknown -
Many of us have received many spoken or unspoken messages about what constitutes a loss, what grief looks like and what it means to "move forward." Many of these messages simply don't fit our experience and some may actually limit us in moving through the grief process in the way we need.
When it comes to grieving a loss, the only timeline you need to be on is yours.
Working together, you define your own path of healing - whatever that means for you.
THE MANY FACES OF
PREGNANCY LOSS
Pregnancy loss can take on many forms. Depending on the cultural and societal context, some of these may be more or less talked about and "seen" as a loss. This can complicate getting support needs met - or even feeling the "right" to support at all. Sometimes these losses are regarded as "invisible losses," demonstrating the quiet and private nature that can often surround the loss. While such experiences may not be visible to others, they are very much real, as are the complex accompanying feelings.
A few examples of such losses include:
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Unsuccessful IVF transfer
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Miscarriage
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Abortion
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Termination for Medical Reasons
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Stillbirth
Other related terms mixed in with a loss may include: ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, chemical pregnancy, vanishing twin, etc. Sometimes causes are known and often, they are not.
Whatever your loss may involve, it's important for you to know that this is a
No- Judgement Zone.
How Therapy Can Help
Here are just a few of the ways therapy might help you navigate loss.
01
Safe expression of emotions
Grieving can come with intense and at times, unpredictable emotions. Often we manage our feelings in expectation of the reactions from others. In therapy, you have the chance to explore, express and make sense of your own feelings -just as they are.
02
Decrease feelings of isolation
Often only the pregnant person and partner (where applicable) are connected to the pregnancy or aware of the loss. As a result, pregnancy loss can feel very isolating. Navigating social situations presents "a lot." We can work through how you would like to approach situations in a way that is respectful of both your boundaries and need for connection.
03
Unpack layers of loss
This type of loss its multidimensional and as a result, feels impactful to many areas of a person's life. These dimensions may include loss of a certain future you had envisioned, changes in relationships, comfort at work, and for many a dramatic loss in how you saw yourself. Therapy understands this as a time where tremendous space is needed to make sense of these changes.
04
Find healthy coping
Consider this your bounce zone to explore different ways you might support yourself - and elicit support from others - during this time. Sometimes this will be active (i.e. "doing something") and other times passive ("being with" your thoughts and feelings in a way that feels safe)
05
Re-discovering you
It makes sense we are changed by life-changing events. Therapy can help you develop a new relationship with yourself, in a way that recognizes this transformation.
06
Ongoing and future decisions
Should you decide to try to get pregnant again, therapy can give you the support to navigate potential new worries, triggers and challenges. We can tease out the complex thoughts and feelings that may arise with trying to conceive and pregnancy after loss.
