An Overview of Pregnancy and Infant Loss

Loss in pregnancy is a common experience. This March of Dimes article discusses conditions that may result in the loss of a pregnancy or a newborn, health disparities in pregnancy loss, and helpful tips for coping with loss.

Miscarriage, stillbirth, and other conditions can result in loss, and birth defects and other conditions can cause newborn death. While pregnancy loss can affect everyone, some people may be at higher risk because of factors like income, work status, environment, and racial and ethnic background. Birthing people of color experience miscarriage and stillbirths at higher rates than white birthing people.

Recovering from and coping with loss is a process. It can take time for our bodies to physically recover, and we may need help coping with grief. Medical providers, social workers, grief counselors, spiritual leaders, and support groups can all play a role in supporting us through grief and loss. We can also take steps to care for ourselves, such as eating healthy, staying active, and getting sufficient rest.

If your baby died during pregnancy or in the first days of life, you and your family might need help understanding what happened. Miscarriage, stillbirth and other conditions can cause a pregnancy to end before or during birth. Newborn death can be caused by preterm birth, birth defects and other health conditions. Pregnancy and infant loss also happens more often among those groups who experience health disparities.

SOURCE: March of Dimes • LAST UPDATED: October 15, 2021