Loss During Pregnancy
Loss of a pregnancy can be overwhelming, and people experiencing the loss can feel a range of emotions from fear, anxiety, anger, relief, etc. In Canada, 15%-25% of pregnancies end in a miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies occur in approximately 1-2% of diagnosed pregnanciesi. Loss can happen later in a pregnancy after 20 weeks gestation, which is known as a stillbirth.
Some pregnancies end when the pregnant person needs a medical induction and/or chooses to end the pregnancy for various reasons. Whenever a pregnancy ends, the person who was pregnant deserves timely access to safe and supportive services that meet their needs.
Choose the type of pregnancy loss you would like to learn more about:
- This type of pregnancy is usually diagnosed in the first trimester and happens when the pregnancy develops outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes.
- Visit this website from HealthLink BC to learn more about the symptoms, what happens, treatment and care.
- If you are looking for support for yourself, your partner and/or your family, visit the website The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust.
- This type of pregnancy loss may also be called spontaneous abortion and happens when the fetus stops growing in the womb during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.
- To learn more about the types of miscarriages, the signs & symptoms, when to seek help, treatment and support, visit PregnancyED. This website will give you information about first-trimester pregnancy loss including what to expect if you go to the emergency room, common questions about pregnancy loss and where to get support and resources.
- Here in Newfoundland and Labrador, a stillbirth is considered to happen when the fetus stops growing and developing after 20 weeks of pregnancy, this type of loss is considered a stillbirth.
- Stillbirth happens in about 5 in 1000 pregnanciesii.
- You may have lots of questions about this is happening, what to expect during and after your stillbirth and where to get help and support. Here are a couple of websites to help you find what you are looking for:
- Pregnancy Info. Canada – Special Considerations – Stillbirth
- Bereavement services – NLSH Eastern Zone – Perinatal bereavement
- This is a procedure that ends a pregnancy either for personal reasons, the fetus may have a life-limiting anomaly or there is a significant medical concern for the person who is pregnant.
- No matter what the reason for ending a pregnancy, a person who is pregnant may experience various feelings before, during and after. It’s also normal to have mixed feelings and emotions. Each reason and each situation is unique and every person deserves to have access to support that meets their needs.
- To learn more about abortion or medical induction, including where to support, visit Health Information – Abortion
- For those that make the decision to terminate a pregnancy due to medical reasons, Postpartum Support International offers a free, online support group for the person who was expecting. Click here to learn more.
No matter how a pregnancy ends, the process may be traumatic and there are supports available to help. Pregnancy and Support International offers various groups for those who have experienced any type of pregnancy loss. Their groups are free and virtual so you can join from anywhere. Click here to visit their website and learn more.