Perinatal Loss
A significant portion of families experience a perinatal loss each year. Perinatal loss includes infertility during the preconception period, fetal death during pregnancy (miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, induced abortion, and stillbirth), and infant death in the first year of life (neonatal or post-neonatal death). The type of loss does not predict or dictate a family’s experience of the loss.
Going through perinatal loss can bring forth various emotional and practical hurdles, evoking a spectrum of feelings—from deep grief to sensations of isolation and uncertainty.
Signs and symptoms of grieving a loss
Emotional symptoms:
- Inconsolable sadness
- Inability to accept that your child is gone
- Thinking you still see them
- Depression
- Inability to function
- Obsession with the child you lost, and what their future could have held
- Obsession with death in general
- Feelings of rage or anger
- Feeling guilty that you are alive and your child’s life was cut so short
- Numbness
- Irritability
- Withdrawing from others
- Thoughts of suicide
- Not wanting to be around people or in places that remind you of your child
- Only want to be around people or in places that remind you of your child
- Extreme anxiety about your remaining child/ren (if applicable)
Physical symptoms:
- Excessive crying
- Lack of appetite (or overeating)
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Sleeplessness or sleeping too much
- Feeling physical pain
- Headaches
- Lowered immunity
- Increased use of alcohol, recreational or prescription drugs
- Engaging in risky or self-destructive behaviors
You may also want to learn more about depression or anxiety.
When is it time to get help?
Experiencing grief or depression after a loss is a natural part of the healing process. However, it becomes concerning when symptoms persist over an extended period or become severe enough to disrupt daily functioning, impacting areas such as eating, sleeping, work, and relationships. Transitioning from sadness to depression or anxiety can occur swiftly, potentially leading to additional challenges. Recognizing the subjective nature of one’s own grief or depression, it’s crucial to heed the concerns expressed by loved ones and consider seeking assistance if warranted.
Treatment Methods
We offer a variety of different counselling treatments, many of which can help when coping with a loss. Some treatments that you may want to consider include:
Grief and Loss treatment methods:
- Grief work therapy
- Acceptance and commitment therapy
- Person-centered therapy
- Emotionally focused therapy
- Faith-based therapy
Depression treatment methods:
- Acceptance and commitment therapy
- Person-centered therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Mindfulness therapy
- EMDR therapy
- Behavioral therapy
- rTMS therapy
- Positive Psychology
In the occurrence of a loss, a doula can provide valuable support by offering care, guidance, and emotional support, throughout the grieving process. Here are some ways a Doula may be valuable to you:
- Can provide a safe space for expressing emotions, validating feelings, and offering comfort during the challenging time.
- Can provide information and education about perinatal loss
- Can help you make informed decisions about their care and navigate the complexities of the grieving process
- Can advocate for your needs and preferences within the healthcare system
- Can create a nurturing and healing environment
- Can provide support to partners and family members affected
- Can offer ongoing support in the months after the loss
Contact us to learn more about how we can help.
