How Can I Cope With Terminating a Pregnancy for Medical Reasons?

Coping with the termination of a pregnancy for medical reasons is an emotionally complex experience, and it is important to allow yourself to experience your emotions without judgment. Grieving is a deeply personal process, and everyone’s grief is different. Your feelings of grief, loss, sadness, anxiety or anger are normal. Many people who have terminated a pregnancy for medical reasons feel as if they don’t have a right to grieve, but your grief is a valid response to the challenging circumstances that you have experienced. 

It is crucial to have a consistent source of support as you grieve this loss. This might include your family members, close friends, your partner, and a trusted therapist. It is not uncommon to feel isolated due to the nature of this loss, so you may find it especially helpful to connect with others navigating the same loss through an online or local support group. Sharing your feelings with others who understand and can relate to your circumstances can aid in your recovery process as you continue processing the loss. They may also share coping strategies or suggestions regarding what has been helpful for them during their grief journey. 

Self-care can also be beneficial in the overall efforts to cope with your loss. Everyone has their own approach to self-care, and a wide variety of activities can be helpful depending on your personal preferences. If you haven’t taken any time off from work yet, you may want to consider submitting a request to your employer so you have extra time to reflect on your experience. Some people find meditation, prayer, breathwork, or physical exercise appropriate additions to their self-care routine. Even simple practices such as getting plenty of sleep and eating well can support your body as you process your grief. 

Remember to be patient and gentle with yourself. Much like grief, healing takes time. Healing does not mean that you won’t think about this loss again or that it won’t hurt anymore. Instead, healing can look like feeling more comfortable about sharing your story with other people and proactively allowing yourself to experience all of the emotions that can emerge with loss over time. For many people, healing can also mean releasing any blame or guilt that they carry regarding the loss and acknowledging that the termination of the pregnancy was not their fault.

Ultimately, coping with the termination of a pregnancy for medical reasons is a personal journey. Allow yourself the space to grieve, be patient with yourself, and reach out to others for support if you are struggling. Over time, these actions will help you to cope with the loss of your pregnancy and enable you to transition into a space where you can feel more comfortable focusing on honoring the memory of your child. 

Sources 

“The emotional responses of women when terminating a pregnancy for medical reasons: A scoping review.” Science Direct. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0266613821001753 

“What happens after a medical termination of a pregnancy and how to cope.” What to Expect. https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-loss/coping-after-a-medical-termination-of-pregnancy