Products for Coping With Pregnancy Loss
This painful time is not easily remedied, but these items may bring some relief while your heart is on the mend.
Content Warning: This post contains mentions of miscarriage and stillbirth.
The experience of miscarriage can be heartbreaking, and the grief that comes with it is deeply personal. No two people, losses, or recoveries are the same, and what you or a loved one might need—physically and emotionally—can change by the day, if not the minute.
We understand there is nothing we can offer you to overcome the grief you’re experiencing, but there are products you can use (or purchase for a loved one suffering from a loss) that may aid in the transition and help your heart to heal. The mental aspects and physical demands of recovery after miscarriage are all important side effects to address, so that you can move toward a holistic recovery. And while we hope you’ll never have to use any of these products for this intended purpose, the difficult reality is that miscarriage happens, perhaps more often than we even realize. Up to 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, with some research suggesting that the number of early losses is likely closer to 30%.
These figures aren’t just numbers; knowing you are not alone in this situation is important. Your loss is valid. Your feelings, be it devastation, confusion, anger, numbness, or a combination of these and more, matter. So give yourself the tools to heal, take the time you deserve, and accept the support of family and friends who love you.
Remembrance Jewelry
Sometimes, commemorating a life-altering moment is the only way to get through it. “Having a piece of jewelry with my kids’ names on it brought me comfort,” says Melissa from New Jersey.
This personalized, 925 sterling silver necklace from LunityUK’s Etsy shop can feature a stamped birth-month flower or a set of initials. Each necklace is handmade to order and comes in either silver or gold.
Disposable Underwear
Following a miscarriage, you will likely experience light to heavy vaginal bleeding or spotting for up to six weeks. Rael’s organic cotton disposable underwear offers maximum absorbency and 12-hour coverage day or night, so you never have to worry about leakage. These briefs are very comfortable and feature tear-away sides for easy removal.
Restorative Tea
Encourage daily self-care one sip at a time. This nourishing tea from Alfalfa Field Apothecary combines ingredients like organic red raspberry leaf, alfalfa, ginger root, and lavender flowers to restore tone to the uterus while helping to balance hormones and reduce cramping and bleeding.
Grief Journal
Penning your thoughts and feelings can be a cathartic way to navigate different aspects of loss. Meghan from Illinois shares she used a journal to write about her pregnancy and keep pictures to process her pain in her way and on her own time. The guided grief journal from Promptly serves as an emotional outlet to cope with miscarriage while simultaneously holding onto precious memories.
Ready-To-Eat Meals
Cooking, or even eating a meal may be the furthest thing from your mind, but keeping yourself nourished is essential. Home Chef’s oven-ready meals come with fresh, pre-portioned, and pre-chopped ingredients, so there’s zero prep and minimal cleanup. If you’re purchasing for someone who has suffered a loss, a pre-made meal subscription is a simple way to let a loved one know you care about their health, energy, and family at home. You can also opt for a food delivery gift certificate, which is always appreciated.
Comforting Book
A read that offers solace and solidarity can be a useful distraction that will also help you feel seen. Kassidi from Oklahoma recommends the book Mending Softly by Jodi Sky Rodgers. It chronicles the author’s account of fertility struggles, the journey of coming to terms with pregnancy loss, and overcoming issues like depression, post-traumatic stress, and anxiety.
Pregnancy Loss Kit
Not every miscarriage happens in the first trimester, and for late-pregnancy loss (20 weeks or later), products to help support physical recovery and emotional healing are critical. Bodily’s curated care box includes essential items like mesh undies, maxi pads, breast pads, important information on stillbirth, a turmeric latte mix, and remembrance bracelets.
Milk Suppression Cream
CaboCréme ointment was developed by an OB-GYN for patients needing to quickly dry up breast milk with something more efficient than cabbage leaves and cold packs. CaboCréme can be used to suppress milk production before or after milk has come in and helps to relieve discomfort and protect against painful engorgement.
Talk Therapy Service
Even if you have the support of a partner, family, and friends, there may still be isolating moments when you long for a listening ear. Purchasing an online membership to a platform like BetterHelp ensures you can speak with a professional licensed therapist during more challenging days to receive the help you need. Prices vary.
Big-Kid Activity
Another way to prioritize your healing is by having things on-hand to keep older children entertained. These bright and fun sensory kits from Young + Wild & Friedman are the perfect activity for families with big siblings at home. There are many themes to choose from, and each kit features sensory dough and accessories to foster independent, imaginative play. Ages 3 and up.
Keepsake Box
An all-in-one memorial box to house and protect the contents of your pregnancy may be helpful to have within reach when you want to remember—but it can also be put away when needed, too. The Savor keepsake box provides compartments, folders, labels, and everything else you may want to collect and organize sentimental items. You can also add name customization if desired.
Heartfelt Card
If not you but a loved one is suffering from the loss of a pregnancy, genuinely acknowledging their situation and feelings can go a long way. In our fast-paced world, there can be pressure to move on from miscarriage and “try again” for a healthy pregnancy. But by simply letting them know they are valued and that their baby will always be loved, you can help bring comfort to their pain. This letterpress card from Neighborly offers touching condolences on the front and a blank space on the inside for added personalization.
While all these products serve a purpose, perhaps the best gift you can give yourself or someone coping with pregnancy loss is the space to grieve and heal. Be sensitive to what you need without the added pressure of people or feeling the need to perform, knowing that in time—when it’s right—you will get through this.