The Great Silent Loss – Miscarriage

What do you say to a woman who has recently experienced a miscarriage?  About sixteen months ago, our family experienced the loss of a precious life. My sister, Miriam was pregnant with her fourth child and she began to experience complications around 6 weeks. She went to the doctor and after an ultrasound and seeing the baby’s heart beat, she went home thinking all was well. A few days later, she began experiencing complications again and returned to the doctor’s office. At that time, it was confirmed, what she suspected ~ she had experienced a miscarriage.

Weeks later, we talked in depth about her experience and she told me how most people just pretended it did not happen. She told me about the awkward silences and even worse, the people who made comments such as, “well, you’re young you can have more children” or “be thankful that you have 3 healthy children.”

Miriam told me that it was really quite simple, when you know someone who has experienced a miscarriage simply say, “I’m sorry for the loss of your baby.” 

My sister recently gave birth to her fifth child and she told me that she would never forget that she had a fourth child.