Miscarriage

We are very sorry for the loss of your baby. We want to let you know that it does matter how you feel. You have every right to grieve the loss of your baby. It is important to us at the TLC Program that families who experience the loss of their baby due to miscarriage are supported. We support bereaved parents for all types of pregnancy loss regardless of what gestation their baby has passed away.

Sometimes when women suffer a miscarriage others around them don’t understand the significance of your loss. You have loved and wanted your baby right from the beginning. You may find people don't acknowledge that you have suffered such loss and may even dismiss or minimise your loss. Parents have such high hopes and expectations for their new baby/babies. The amount of time your baby has been within you growing is not a measure to your heartache.

Please know that it is ok to grieve the loss of your baby the way that feels right to you. You may find it helpful to surround yourself with those around you who care and validate your loss. The loss of a baby at any gestation can be a silent grief, one that no one wants to talk about. Unfortunately, the number of women who lose their baby as a result of a miscarriage is high. It is for this reason that miscarriage can be such a silent grief. Please know you are not alone. It does not matter when you have miscarried your much longed for baby, it matters that you have lost your baby and all of the hopes and dreams that came with your pregnancy.

TLC is here to support you right from the very beginning.

Miscarriage Facts

Miscarriage is defined as a baby who dies before 20 weeks gestation and/or is less than 400 grams in birth weight

Definitions:

Early miscarriage (1st trimester) less than 12 weeks.

Late miscarriage (2nd trimester) over 12 weeks.

Types of Miscarriage

Threatened miscarriage - When miscarriage symptoms such as vaginal bleeding or severe cramping, occur during the first half of pregnancy.

Missed miscarriage - Refers to a pregnancy loss in which the baby has stopped developing, and the pregnancy is no longer viable, but the woman is not yet displaying miscarriage symptoms.

Blighted ovum – Is diagnosed from ultrasound detection showing that there is a pregnancy sac but no embryo.

Inevitable miscarriage – Is when miscarriage Symptoms of severe vaginal bleeding and/or cramps in a pregnant woman, indicating that no medical treatment can prevent a miscarriage.

Incomplete miscarriage – is a miscarriage in which not all of the products of conception - membranes, placenta, fetus, are spontaneously expelled.

Ectopic pregnancy – Is a pregnancy with the fertilized ovum developing outside of the uterus, often in a Fallopian tube

Recurrent miscarriage - Is defined as three or more miscarriages of a fetus before 20 weeks of gestation

Support For Families

TLC provides a specific miscarriage brohcure to matenrity hoistals, accident & emergency wards, IVF clinics across Australia along with our TLC bears. TLC support services including the 1800 free call support line and support groups are all made available you. Connecting and relating with others who have experinced a miscarraige also can be beneficial with your grieiving. We are here for you.

Parents have found the information below very helpful specifically when suffering a miscarriage

Please bear in mind not all of the information below may be relevant to your individual situation

• Ask for an honest explanation of what to expect with the medical procedure or delivery of your baby.
• Seek medical attention immediately if you have miscarried at home
• Take your time in making any decisions. 
• Ask what your baby/ babies may look like.
• Ask for any ultra sounds pictures you may have had taken of your baby
• Ask if the sex of your baby can be determined by further testing

 Some things to ask yourself

• Do I want to have a support person with me?
• Can I organise some time off work?
• Do I want to name my baby/babies?
• Do I want to see my baby? Choosing to see your baby or not is a very personal choice.
• Do I want to hold my baby? Choosing to hold your baby or not is a very personal choice.
• Do I want to have a funeral/ memorial service for my baby/ babies?

Please know you can hold a memorial or funeral service for your baby that has been born before 20 weeks. For More information contact a funeral director. If you are wondering where to find a funeral director please click here

Miscarriage Statistics

Miscarriages are common, 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss. This number is alarming and adds to the often misconception that an early loss is not as bad as a later loss. More information can be found at the National Perinatal Statistics Outcome Unit