Types of Loss

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This page will explain some of the loss terms used by medical staff, and will link into the common birth methods that may be suggested to you, based on the kind of loss you are experiencing (these terms are listed in near-chronological order of loss).  If this is overwhelming and you don’t remember what your doctor told you, you may want to start with this link: I’m having a miscarriage.

If your experience is any of these, you are invited to share your story.

Chemical Pregnancy (miscarriage prior to ultrasound)

Honoring Uncertainty

Blighted Ovum

Ectopic Pregnancy

Molar Pregnancy

Threatened Miscarriage

Inevitable (or Incomplete) Miscarriage

Missed Miscarriage (or “Silent Miscarriage”)

Complete Miscarriage

Live Miscarriage

Vanishing Twin

Twins or More

Recurrent Miscarriage (including fertility challenges/parenting options)

Fertility Challenges

Elective Abortion

Stillbirth

Difficult or fatal diagnosis in pregnancy

Neonatal Death

Pregnancy Loss after Medically Assisted Conception (or grief after ART)

Child Loss (toddlers to teens)

Maternal Death

Living Grief (NICU grief, surrogacy, fostering, adoption, birth trauma, stewarding grief)

Getting Pregnant Again / “Rainbow Pregnancy”

Ending Fertility With a Loss

The SBD® Doula provides support to families experiencing birth in any trimester and in any outcome.

Here at stillbirthday.info, you can learn about the SBD® Doula.