How to provide babyloss support to friends and family
Stillbirth and miscarriage are more common than you would think given the press coverage. Here’s how to offer babyloss support to loved ones.
Dads: Coping with Loss After Miscarriage
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Firstly sorry for your sad loss. I can only imagine how it felt and would not like to experience any of it.
I recall through each of the pregnancies of my kids being really worried for the first 3 months, it was often advised not to tell anyone until that was over for those reasons, something I did not understand as surely that is when you would need the most support?
Thank you Ashley. I agree- I think if more people had known about the pregnancy we may have had more support. On the flip side – it meant that we didn’t have to keep telling people that we had lost the baby as they were unaware that there was one. Thanks for your comment and support.
I feel like this is absolutely an amazing resource. Miscarriage/infertility/infant loss aren’t talked about nearly enough, but from a man’s perspective it is almost non-exisitent. It’s hard not to feel alone, or not to feel like you have ‘suck it up’ if you have no examples of other men dealing with these topics.
Hugs to you and yours, I can’t even imagine what you have gone through but I know there are a lot of people who have and will be blessed by your willingness to share your story.
Thanks so much for your comment. :) I’m pleased that it is useful!
So sorry you lost that little one. Our son was meant to be a twin. It’s really hard. Those numbers are crazy. I often fail to realize how many people in my life have been affected by miscarriage. I agree we need to be more open.
#bigfatlinky
Really good resource guys so thanks. I’m glad this is around for Dads. You never know what is going to happen and I’m under no illusions this isn’t a possibility for baby No 2. I will keep this resource in the back of my mind, Once again so glad you have your gorgeous little guy Al and you have such a strong marriage to get through it all and help others xx #bigfatlinky
This is a brilliant resource for dad’s and mum’s – I definitely don’t think miscarriage is spoken about enough and by sharing your story, you will be helping lots of people. I’m so sorry that your story was such a hard one, the unknowing, it happening at the time of your wedding and having to deal with a loss of your first baby. My sister had three miscarriages after a healthy first pregnancy, so I know all too well on how devastating it can be. #bigfatlinky
Sorry to hear your lose. This is such a heartfelt post as its true dads do get forgotten. And it’s because you are so much stronger emotional than us – well my husband is – and he holds me together so I don’t fall apart in moments I could fall apart #bigfatlinky
Sorry to hear of your loss, life is so cruel and unfair sometimes. From your loss you have choosen to help others and raise awareness, that is a very commendable thing to do. Your post is very informative and will be of such great use to many.
#BigFatLinky
Sorry for your loss Al. Great post to help break the taboo and help others with their grief, especially Dads who hold it all in sometimes.
What a wonderful resource, well done. It is hard whenever it happens. In some ways it is easier when people didn’t know, because you then have less people to tell, but because you are still going through the same emotions that can also make it harder. #bigfatlinky
What a great resource! It’s nice to hear the side from a man. I never have. Its great that you bring awareness to it. I am so sorry for your loss
It was a long time ago, and a different wife, but I’m not proud of the three day bender I went on after experiencing this late in a pregnancy. It’s a hard thing for everybody involved.
Sorry to hear you’ve experienced this. It’s always refreshing to read it from the Dad’s point of view. we did ‘t tell anyone we were expecting when we went through ours so it was a very private and personal thing. My husband is not very vocal when it comes to emotions so this article has really got me thinking. #bigfatlinky
Great post Al, hopefully it’ll make some Dad’s going through this feel a little less alone and more like they can talk about it. It may physically happen to the woman, but it takes two to make a baby and both feel the loss when it doesn’t work out.
Stevie x #BigFatLinky
Great post, great graphic & great advice. We too have our own story that I’m sure one day I’ll put into a blog post. I’m glad guys are starting to drop this ‘macho men don’t admit they have feelings’ nonsense. Thanks for being such a great resource for everyone!
Wow this is amazing and so informative such a great post. My hubby and I suffered a miscarriage at about 8 weeks I between our first and now second child. I was broken and my hubby didn’t know what to do. I still think about what could have been, I bet my hubby does too. Thank you for such a great post and what a support for all the dads out there x
So sorry for your loss doesn’t really cover it does it? What an amazing resource you’ve created. Will definitely share it if it’s ever needed. #bigfatlinky
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s really great that you have written this to help other dads. #bigfatlinky
Thank you for writing about this. I know a lot of men who felt that their grief was overlooked. I know this will help many.
This infographic is an excellent source of information. Something that definitely needs to be shared. Thank you for creating it!
A great help for people and their loss.
After all the excitement, and the building of dreams for the future, to get slapped in the face with this devastating news is one of the worst feelings.
Great post, will be sharing! #BigFatLinky
It’s so sad that men are still thought of as bystanders during pregnancy, so it’s nice to have a real perspective and advice about coping with miscarriage and acknowledging that it can and does affect men too.
It’s a step in the right direction to making it more socially acceptable for men to acknowledge that it’s okay to need help and advice about miscarriage and isn’t just something that affects women.
In my mind, this also raises the wider issues of parenting that a fundamental shift is needed in advice and support from PND to general parenting. No longer are men bystanders to their child’s upbringing which should be acknowledged. Gender equality is a two way street – if it were the other way round, maybe we would be quicker to accept that it affects everyone.
This is a really well-put-together infographic, it will be useful for others I am sure. This subject is not talked about enough, I think men don’t like to talk about it – I know my husband didn’t when we had a miscarriage – so by reading articles like this will help . #bigfatlinky Sabrina x
Amazing post – lots of good advice that seems to be sadly missing from a lot of places offering help with coping with miscarriages. It’s sad that in this age of so called equality that so many people still think the miscarriage is all about the Mother. Obviously it’s horrific for her, but I don’t see it as any less horrific for the Father.
Debbie
http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
P.S Thank you for hosting the #bigfatlinky
So very sorry for your loss, I read your story post earlier on my phone and it brought tears to my eyes.
I think it’s vital that information like this is shared, dad have to have support for things like this too and what you are doing is vital.
Good post and a great resource.
It’s for this reason why I knew of TheDadsNet; men don’t often talk and especially about difficult topics. But I find that incredibly sad because without unity we loose ourselves and feel lost. Coming from that original post and what’s been built from not is incredible but the fact that you wrote it in the first place is even more amazing.
Dads now have a place to go, talk and share about these horrible life topics and even better you, the blog and the community have continued build up a safe and comfortable place with positive resources like this. Always great. :)
Thank you for putting the time into making this. Into raising your voice and saying something in the silence…
I’ve just started to whisper.
This was truly helpful for me Al.
Thank you for your kind words Steph. Sending our love to you.
I know you have a different post for #BigFatLinky this week, but this is the post most relevant to me and my husband at the moment.
I know our situation is a little different, but loss is loss and it’s all heartbreaking when you are so excited about a baby. We have definitely found that in a lot of circumstances since our daughters stillbirth that my husband has pretty much been left out of the conversation when talking to health professionals, though to be honest this was true all through pregnancy too. The typical stereotyping that dad’s aren’t interested in certain things and wouldn’t have a clue is rubbish! My husband wanted to know everything and was so excited.
Now we try to keep talking to each other when things come up, when we get upset, discussing everything, because a lot of people don’t want to discuss it, especially to my husband. He write some things down too and I know myself how much that helps. Getting outside lots together, walks, etc and he takes the dog out on his own once a day because he needs some time on his own.
I think this is a great post. Dads should not be forgotten about, their grief is just as strong and they need help and someone to listen too.
#BigFatLinky
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s so awful. And please pass our thoughts on to your partner. Is he part of our dads group on facebook? He’ll be able to chat to other dads, many of whom have had the same/similar situations.
I’m glad that you as a dad want to talk about such a painful and personal thing as miscarriage. It is very true that man tend to be sidelined and not asked how they feel about losing the baby. You have a voice among dads and it’s great that you raise it to support other fathers and spread the knowledge about miscarriages – sadly they are relatively common.
I’ve recently reviewed a lady who is directing a documentary about women and their families, who have experienced miscarriage. I think you may find the project of interest – Don’t Talk About The Baby (DTATB).
3 weeks late… #BigFatLinky
I have used your story of comfort and sadness today. At 7 weeks my girlfriend miscarried and I really don’t know how I should feel. I am crying alone and when she can’t see me and at the same time feeling all her pain.
I don’t know what to do. But thank you for your story.
How does it get better? When do you start to feel not empty
Hi Robb, Appreciate your comment and I am so sorry to hear what you’re experiencing. It does get better. Or rather, easier. My advice is to tell your girlfriend how you’re feeling, but I know that can be tricky. If you want to get in touch, my email is: dad@thedadsnet.com All the best buddy.
We had been trying for a year when I got pregnant, and then we miscarried around week 8, not only did my partner have to deal with the loss, but then I went into a very deep depression and went from being very depressed to being very angry at the lack of support he was receiving for our loss. Two years later and we are still trying, but the pain is not as raw as it use to be.
Thank you for sharing this with us
I wish there had been something like this when my wife and I experienced our two miscarriages. It’s been 10 years since we went through two in the same year. You’re right it does get easier with time. We already had a son we weren’t supposed to have but wanted at least one more. Now we have four. At the time all I could do was become numb to my feelings and consol my wife. No one wanted to talk about it. Not family or friends. Like I said it’s been 10 years now and watching my other kids grow I often think of the two we lost. What their personalities would be like and how they would differ from the ones we have
raised. Anyway it’s nice to know there’s a place for dads to have a voice and be understood. Thanks.