PregnancyLossAwareness

The stigma behind pregnancy loss makes talking about it, like the elephant in the room. During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, miscarriages are most common and prenantal appointments are not scheduled until the 8th or 9th week of pregnancy during that time anything can happen. I was a working mother with a one-year old and in the beginning weeks of my pregancy. The time off requests that I was taking at work had started to become a concern for management, however I was not clearly told this by my manager at that time.

I was taking sick days, as I thought I was experiencing normal pregnancy symptoms, however a time came when I decided to go to the ER ironically a week before my scheduled 1st prenatal appointment. I found out by the doctor that in fact I was experiencing a miscarriage. After my ER visit, I was requested by my employer a medical note although their employee handbook required a medical note for 3 days or more of requested sick time. Being singled out by employer at an already difficult time, I decided to finally tell Human Resources about my pregnancy loss, however due to the heightened emotions I was experiencing I ended up resigning.

Looking back at this event, in hindsight I could have been more open with the Human Resources Department by telling them that I was pregnant and experiencing a variety of symptoms that were a concern to me and affected my ability to work. I could have told them as soon at the onsent of my first troubled pregnancy symptoms. For that reason I definitely think that better employment policies should be in place in companies across the US to support woment experiencing a pregnancy loss. Giving women at the bare minimum 1 week of approved excused absence could definitely help a woman process any of her emotional, mental and physical symptoms peacefully.

There aren't enough resources for women to seek out when it comes to pregancy loss. In fact October is pregnancy/infant loss month and if our nation acknowldges that such awareness is necessary, an employment policy to support women experiencing pregnancy loss would be extremely beneficial to include. The best advice I can give to anyone experiencing pregnancy/infant loss is to allow yourself time to heal by crying or not, spending time in nature, rolled up on the floor in a ball, any form of self-care (bath, candles, music, meditation, etc) and most importantly being gentle with yourself.

These are some helpful resources to help you navigate this journey along the way:

Pregnancy Loss Awareness

Why does it matter?