BY MABI
I DIDNOT KNOW HOW COMMON MISCARRIAGES WERE BECAUSE WE DON’T TALK
ABOUT IT . Michelle Obama
We often see joyful pregnancy announcements and adorable reaction videos on Instagram. We hear stories of morning sickness, nausea, mood swings, backaches, and the journey through cesarean or natural deliveries. But rarely, whether on social media or in person, do people talk about the heartbreak of miscarriage, the emotional pain, the sense of loss, or the loneliness that often accompanies it. At least 1 in 7 pregnancies end in miscarriage, and apparently, 85 percent of miscarriages occur in the first trimester.
According to WHO , Globally, an estimated 23 million miscarriages occur each year, that’s about 44 pregnancy losses per minute. Yet, it often takes experiencing a miscarriage personally to truly understand how common it is. Miscarriage and stillbirths are not systematically recorded in many countries since it has become a matter of silence, hushed, and whispers. Women may feel pressured to stay silent about their grief, or to “just try again” as if the loss can be easily replaced.
Globally, pregnancy loss is defined differently. Typically, a baby who dies before 28 weeks of pregnancy is referred to as a miscarriage, while those who die at or after 28 weeks are classified as stillbirths. Despite these definitions, miscarriage has sadly become a source of shame, stigma, and guilt for many women. Instead of being shamed into silence, women should be encouraged to embrace their vulnerability, share their stories, and open up about their experiences.
It’s high time to break the silence around miscarriage. Sharing stories of pregnancy loss not only helps in reducing the stigma but also reminds women that they are not alone in their grief. When stories of “silent miscarriages” are brought into the light, they foster
understanding, compassion, and the collective strength needed to navigate such a
profound loss