Pregnant After Loss -- 1st Trimester

I am not a medical expert, or a mental health professional or anyone that can tell you how you should be feeling. But when one in four pregnancies end in loss, so many women get pregnant again on our quest for a rainbow baby. Therefore, I wanted to share my experiences with specifically being pregnant after a loss {or four in my case} during each trimester.

For me, first trimester was difficult. Really really difficult. Yes, the physical stuff is hard but emotionally its a trip. I almost hoped I would have tough days with the morning sickness so at least I knew that something was happening.

I had irresistible urges to take a million pregnancy tests, making sure lines were getting darker. Every twinge of pain (totally normal 1st trimester cramps and stretching) sent me running to the bathroom. Getting the results of my blood draws sent me into a panic attack, where I had to focus on catching my breath. The ultrasounds were the same way.

Emotionally I was constantly preparing for miscarriage. I made sure I had all the physical supplies I would need should a loss occur. I constantly, depending on the time of week, kept a mental tally of who I had to email and call to clear my schedule. I stopped just short of having a blog post explaining my absence already written.

I'm not saying these things to try to scare people who may be trying to get pregnant after a loss. I just want to share my experience. And say, that while it was scary, difficult and painful, I made it. I survived. You can survive. Somethings that helped me:

Take it a day at a time. Just one day. Everyone can live through one day
Decide if medical information and intervention relieves or causes stress and schedule/cancel intervention accordingly
Get a support system -- for me I have a wonderful group of ladies who are my virtual BFFs. We've been friends since we were all pregnant way back in 2010 and they are there for me day and night. And I have my lovely readers, who have been amazing and listened. Confide in someone about the pregnancy, find an online community, or start a blog. Sometimes just getting fears {even irrational ones} out helped me greatly.
Know it's alright to ignore the pregnancy. You don't have to think about it all the time. You don't have to talk about it.

1st trimester passed quicker than I expected. And as the weeks passed, and our medical checks were positive, I felt more and more confident that I wasn't going to miscarry. It was all about survival. I survived. And so can you.

Does anyone have a different experience being pregnant after a loss? What helped you during the 1st trimester?

The Ultimate Montessori Toy List -- Birth to Five -- UPDATED 2020

When you are interested in Montessori, it can be difficult to know exactly what types of products you should get for your home. Or which types of "Montessori" materials are really worth the price. There are no rules about types of products can use the name Montessori which can add to the confusion. Not to mention, every toy manufacturer slaps the word "educational" on the package for good measure! 2020 UPDATE: This list is updated for another year! Enjoy a variety of Montessori friendly finds from both major retailers and smaller shops! So, with this post, I'm going to try to help with this confusion! Here's a list of Montessori-friendly toys and materials for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. First, let's clarify that there is no such thing as a "Montessori toy." Montessori never created toys, but only works for classroom settings. While there are many works that I recommend for home school use, you won't find these

Sensitive Periods from Birth to 6 - A Chart and Guide

Dr. Maria Montessori spent her life observing, studying, and writing about children. During her lifetime of work she discovered that young children move through a series of special times when they are particularly attracted to specific developmental needs and interests. She called these times, sensitive periods. During the sensitive period, children learn skills related to the sensitive period with ease. They don't tire of that work, but seek it, crave it and need it. When the sensitive period passes, this intense desire is gone, never to return. That doesn't mean the skill is lost forever once the sensitive period is over. Instead, it just means that it will take a more conscious effort to learn. As Dr. Montessori explains, This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you. "A child learns to adjust himself and make acquisitions in his sensitive periods. These are like a beam that lights interiorly a battery that furnishes energy. It is this sensibility which enables

Our Kids' Montessori Gift Lists 2020

With the holiday season upon us we've been making lists and gathering gifts for the Kavanaugh children. It's always a fun process of observing my children, seeing what they would really be interested in and making some decisions based on what I see. This year is different because I'm also making decisions knowing that we are looking at a very long and quiet winter ahead. So that's influencing the amount I will buy and the specific choices I will/have made. Henry and Nora are also at the point, being into the second plane of development, where they heavily influence the items on the list and what is ultimately purchased. So, you'll see that while Montessori influences what I will purchase and what goes on their list, so does their own preferences and personality. This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you. Theodore Teddy is 14-months-old right now and as the fourth baby, we have so many toddler things. But, there are a few things I've still found tha

Comments

Anonymous said…

I had a loss at 18 weeks, then we got pregnant shortly after that. My focal point was prayer, prayer, prayer and actually being thankful that I was high risk so that my fears could be alleviated more frequently. Every BP check was a nightmare...I was scared it would go back down to "healthy range"...which is what happened at the appointment when I found out we had lost Parker. I agree with getting a support system, as well as knowing that you don't have to talk about your pregnancy, or even think about it at times. YOUR mental health is what's important, not what everyone sees on the outside.

January 8, 2014 at 10:30 AM

Wow. Thanks so much for sharing and being real. I'd love to connect with you, as my husband and I have had 2 miscarriages in 2 years--still no baby. We've been trying for our first for about 3 years now and the emotions-like you said- are all over the place. I've learned so much about myself through this journey that I never expected to go through. Again, thanks for sharing and being transparent and real. It's nice to see someone on the "other side" as it's my hope we will be too someday soon.
My blog is www.anchorsthesoul.blogspot.com & email through Google+ :)

January 8, 2014 at 5:18 PM

I loved reading this. I miscarried a few years ago at 6 weeks. Today I am 5w3days pregnant. It is my first last and every thought that something may happen and I too am willing for symptoms so I can believe that I really am pregnant and that all will be well. I have booked a scan for 7 weeks to reassure myself that all is well. I hope that after that I will relax a little... one day at a time is all we can do for now.

January 4, 2016 at 7:53 AM

I miscarried at 6 weeks Jan 17 2016. I'm now pregnant after a year of trying. I am filled with joy at every symptom I have then worry when they lessen that day. I'm now almost 9 weeks and on bed rest I found praying helps most days but still doesn't keep me from worrying that when I go to the bathroom next will there be blood. It's a constant battle with myself to stay joyful. Glad to know I'm not in this alone. Can't wait to hold my living healthy baby.

February 24, 2017 at 10:40 PM

The Kavanaugh Report

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