---
title: It’s Time to Talk about Miscarriage and the Workplace
date: 2025-06-09T16:20:00-04:00
author: Jonese Austin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/its-time-to-talk-about-miscarriage-the-workplace"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# It’s Time to Talk about Miscarriage and the Workplace

Having a miscarriage can affect our bodies in ways that can make it difficult to return to “business as usual.” When Jennifer Maerz had a miscarriage, she experienced symptoms such as fatigue and difficulty making decisions. These symptoms influenced her ability to do her job, on top of her grief. Yet she didn’t know how to talk about her situation in the workplace.

In this article, Maerz provides expert guidance and advice for navigating the workplace after pregnancy loss. She speaks with Wendy N. Davis, president and CEO of Postpartum Support International, and Dr. Kiley Hanish, founder of Return to Zero: HOPE. Maerz also reflects on what she learned through her personal experience.

It’s important to take time to heal and recover after a pregnancy loss. Recognize that grief is ongoing and can last weeks or even years. Speaking up can take off some of the pressure in the workplace and set a precedent for others who may have similar experiences. There are scripts that can aid us in communicating the experience of pregnancy loss and how it reshapes our work life. Workplaces might offer leave, accommodations, and other rights and protections. Those who cannot afford to stay home might find assistance through practices of release. This can include changing the topic of conversation or playing soothing music.

> We have a lot of unnecessary secrecy, shame, and stigma related to pregnancy not going perfectly, and we tend to second guess the bare minimum of what we need to recover... When people try to push through that recovery, they don’t recover as well, and problems tend to emerge later.

[Read the full article ](https://www.romper.com/pregnancy/how-to-talk-about-your-miscarriage-at-work)

SOURCE: Romper • AUTHOR: Jennifer Maerz • LAST UPDATED: September 28, 2024

![A woman dressed in business attire sits in an office crying](data:image/png;base64,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) 

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ sexual anatomies & sexual health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/sexual-anatomies-sexual-health)
- [ pregnancy & birth](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/pregnancy-birth)
- [miscarriage](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/miscarriage)
- [support](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/support)
- [self-care](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/self-care)
- [grief and grieving](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/grief-and-grieving)
- [death and dying](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/death-and-dying)

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** 

- We rigorously evaluate all content
- We embrace a reproductive justice framework
- We don’t accept ads or sell products
- We reject funding from the pharmaceutical industry
- We counter misinformation and disinformation
- We address the social, political, and economic factors that affect health and sexuality

[read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us)

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##### More to Explore

[ResourcesRead

## Miscarriage

A miscarriage is when a pregnancy ends spontaneously prior to 20 weeks.

![An outline of a female body, her hand over her lower abdominal area, one tear comes down from her eye.](data:image/png;base64,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)

A miscarriage is when a pregnancy ends spontaneously prior to 20 weeks.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/miscarriage)

[ResourcesRead

## The Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline

A confidential helpline providing clinical guidance and emotional support for anyone undergoing miscarriage or self-managed abortion.

![matilda-wormwood-4100710](data:image/png;base64,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)

A confidential helpline providing clinical guidance and emotional support for anyone undergoing miscarriage or self-managed abortion.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/the-miscarriage-and-abortion-hotline)

[Stories & ConversationsRead

## I Expected to Hear the Baby’s Heartbeat

Catherine shares the story of her first miscarriage, discussing her emotions at the time and other experiences of grief and loss that it triggered.

![Catherine-McKinley](data:image/png;base64,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)

Catherine shares the story of her first miscarriage, discussing her emotions at the time and other experiences of grief and loss that it triggered.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-i-expected-to-hear-the-babys-heartbeat)

[Stories & ConversationsRead

## “I’ve got bad news for you”

A woman shares her emotions and struggles after learning that one of the twins that she was pregnant with had died.

![A sad pregnant woman in front of a dark curtain](data:image/png;base64,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)

A woman shares her emotions and struggles after learning that one of the twins that she was pregnant with had died.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-pregnancy-loss-ive-got-bad-news-for-you)

[ResourcesRead

## 35 Self-Care Tips for Black Women

A collection of self-care tips for Black women

![Brandy kennedy 7 P1mau71k JA unsplash scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

A collection of self-care tips for Black women](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/35-self-care-tips-for-black-women)

[ResourcesRead

## Five Tips to Handle Holiday Stress

Top five tips from the American Heart Association to help you manage holiday stress and maintain your heart health.

![pexels-askar-abayev-6192017](data:image/png;base64,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)

Top five tips from the American Heart Association to help you manage holiday stress and maintain your heart health.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/5-tips-to-handle-holiday-stress)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Dealing with Mental Health Issues

MB describes her struggle coming to terms with mental health issues. She shares how her parents hindered her from getting help, but her friends supported her.

![Marisa](data:image/png;base64,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)

MB describes her struggle coming to terms with mental health issues. She shares how her parents hindered her from getting help, but her friends supported her.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-dealing-with-mental-health-issues)

[ResourcesRead

## A Toolbox for Coping with Anxiety amid Heart Failure

Our Bodies Ourselves content expert Maggie Teliska offers tools to cope with anxiety, from the perspective of a heart failure patient.

![lenin-estrada-GCpyNh39kOc-1024x683](data:image/png;base64,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)

Our Bodies Ourselves content expert Maggie Teliska offers tools to cope with anxiety, from the perspective of a heart failure patient.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-toolbox-for-coping-with-anxiety-amid-heart-failure)