Why Pregnancy Loss Shouldn't Be A Shameful Thing To Talk About

Pregnancy loss is a harsh reality faced by many expecting couples. Losing a baby is a devastating and painful loss.

Pregnancy loss is common, with 10% to 20% of pregnancies ending in miscarriage, or a loss before 20 weeks gestation. It's likely even more common, occurring in some women before they even realize they're pregnant. Stillbirth, or a pregnancy loss that happens after 20 weeks, is less common, affecting about 1 in 160 pregnancies, but that still makes it one of the most common negative pregnancy outcomes

Losing a pregnancy can be absolutely devastating for a parent, no matter the circumstances. While miscarriage is one of the more common terms used, there are actually several types of pregnancy loss that can occur. In some cases, a medical professional is able to pinpoint the specific cause, but others happen seemingly without reason. Regardless the reason, all have the potential to leave a lasting effect on parents.

Recently, Chrissy Teigen and husband John Legend lost their son, Jack, to a partial placental abruption at 20 weeks into her pregnancy.

Chrissy Teigen suffered a pregnancy loss about halfway through her pregnancy after being hospitalized for extreme bleeding related to a weak placenta.

Miscarriage, which occurs before 20 weeks gestation, and stillbirth, which occurs after that, are common, affecting up to 1 in 5 and 1 in 160 pregnancies, respectively.

Half of miscarriages are caused by genetic abnormalities, but less is known about the causes of stillbirth, though some factors out of a woman's control are associated with a higher risk. Professionals and women's who've experienced pregnancy losses are applauding Teigen's openness, saying it fights the stigma and helps them feel less alone.

In the absence of knowledge and data, women in their desperation for an explanation will find reasons to blame themselves. The other thing we know for sure about miscarriage is that it can have devastating psychological effects. A recent study published earlier this year found that 29% of women suffer from PTSD after a miscarriage, 24% have anxiety and 11% experience moderate to severe depression.

Whatever the circumstances surrounding the loss of a baby, every single woman deserves respectful and dignified healthcare that acknowledges her loss, provides support for any psychological issues she may face, and empowers her to make future decisions about having a child. Any doctor who has had to communicate the loss of a baby to an expectant mother witnesses the pain in that mothers’ eyes. It is not a sight for the fainthearted.

Women still face enormous stigma and shame when they lose a baby and they are often not encouraged to talk about their experience and loss. This can lead to isolation and disconnection, even from their partners and close family, and means that women end up trapped in their own personal grief.

Health professionals and fans of Teigen are applauding her for being so open about her heartbreak, saying it helps break down the stigma of miscarriage and allows other women with similar experiences to be seen.