In 1988, US President Ronald Reagan declared October a month to support people who They end up losing their infants or unborn children to miscarriages. Today it is still celebrated as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month (PILA). This event aims to help relieve the grief of parents in this situation, provide support and spread awareness about it. It also involves promoting awareness to improve prevention and care for the same. To better understand the importance of celebrating PILA, let’s take a look at how pregnancy affects people.
How does pregnancy affect the expectation of husbands and mothers?
From the moment they hear they are pregnant, expecting parents may feel a sense of anticipation, excitement, shock, and nervousness. Becoming a mother or father is one of the most important events in anyone’s life. During pregnancy, couples may experience relationship struggles, conflicting feelings, or a sense of nervous excitement about what life will be like.
For many, the financial worries of having a baby can be overwhelming or stressful. While for others trying to start a family, finally having a baby can feel like a blessing.
Mothers are affected not only mentally but also physically. During the first trimester (one of the three quarters of pregnancy is divided), women experience physical discomfort or changes as the fetus begins to develop and paves the way for further stages of pregnancy.
They also experience emotions like anxiety, stress, joy etc., intensely and are prone to big mood swings. In the third trimester of pregnancy, many women have also reported nesting syndrome. This tendency, common in birds, indicates the creation of an environment for the next offspring. All of these activities, emotions, hormones, and physiological changes involve mothers with their babies, even before birth. Hence, miscarriage and infant loss affect mothers more profoundly.
Read more: How does mental health affect family relationships?
How do you deal with the loss of a child?
Put your trust in support groups: Support groups are gatherings of like-minded people who are going through the same things as you. It may also include people who have grown up and recovered from pain, giving you the insight and confidence to do the same.
Respect friends and loved ones: Friends and loved ones play an important role in postpartum (postpartum) care. It’s no surprise, then, that your loved ones provide the best support while grieving the loss of children. Appreciate their feelings, show them that you are grateful, and tell them if you need time alone.
Treatment selection: The loss of a child is a traumatic event that takes time to recover naturally. If the situation confuses you or your partner, it is best to consider treatment. Choose a therapist who has experience treating your condition and understands what you’re going through. You can also hire therapists or receive treatment through online platforms.
Read more: Online therapy platforms for affordable care
conclusion
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month focuses on parents who are grieving the loss of their baby or unborn child. They need space, time, and self-care to recover and take better care of themselves. Multiple miscarriages can cause women to worry about whether or not they will have a baby.
Remember that there is no right way to feel in this situation. Focus on how your partner is affected and try to be there for each other during this process. While you may be going through intense feelings, you (and your partner) don’t want to forget about proper self-care. Below is a list of Best self-care practices to stay healthy in tough times.
To learn more about self-care, emotional regulation, or trauma, subscribe to Your mental health.
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